Reading: Euro-English (level: intermediate)

This post contains a reading of about 170 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and phonetics.

In the European Union, as in the rest of the world, English has become the most commonly used language for business exchanges, academic discussion and, at least in international affairs, political debate.

French was the dominant language in Europe for decades but English started to become the predominant language of the European Union in the mid-1990s. Many French speakers were upset and some German speakers argued that German should be used over English because it has the largest number of native speakers in the European Community.

However, what matters most, from a practical point of view, is which language has the greatest number of native and second-language speakers. Statistically, it is English.

Linguists understand that languages develop over time and that it is a good thing for them to be updated. For example, some written forms of British and American English are becoming indistinguishable as they interact with one another. Perhaps, in the future, the English-speaking community in Europe will find themselves using a newly-developed language which could be called "Euro-English".

QUESTIONS

1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

a. English is rarely used in the European Union.
b. French used to be the most spoken language in the European Union until about 1995.
c. There are as many German native speakers as French native speakers in Europe.
d. According to linguists, languages always stay the same.

2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.

1. In which situations is English the dominant language in Europe?
2. Why is it positive for languages to change?

3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

(a) Frequently, ordinarily, generally.
(b) Periods often years.
(c) People who have learned a particular language as their first language, rather than as a foreign or second language.
(d) To gradually change into a different state, to evolve.

4. PHONETICS.

(a) Write two words from the text that have the same diphthong as "make" /eɪ /.
(b) Which of the following words has the same vowel as "English" /ɪ/
1. Written, 2. Least, 3. Might
(c) Is the "-s-" pronounced voiced /z/ or voiceless /s/ in "contributes"?

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Reading: The ecological impact of hiking (level: intermediate)

This post contains a reading of about 200 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and phonetics.

Hiking is an outdoor activity which is considered the best way to see nature. Hikers often seek beautiful natural environments in which to walk. Ironically, these environments are often fragile: hikers may accidentally destroy the scenery that they enjoy.

Generally, protected areas such as parks have regulations to avoid harming the environment. If these walkers follow them, their impact can be minimized. Such regulations include forbidding wood fires, restricting camping to established camp sites and imposing a quota on the number of hikers per day.

Many hikers follow the philosophy of ‘Leave No Trace’: hiking in a way such that future hikers cannot detect the presence of previous hikers. Followers of this practice respect strict rules and leave no food waste or food packaging.

Sometimes, hikers enjoy viewing rare or endangered animals. However, some species are very sensitive to the presence of humans. Walkers should learn the habits of those species in order to avoid adverse impact.

There is one situation where an individual hiker can make a large impact on an ecosystem: inadvertently starting a wildfire. For example, in 2005, a Czech backpacker burned 7% of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile by knocking down an illegal gas portable stove.

Adapted from www.wikipedia.org

QUESTIONS

1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

a. Hikers always degrade the environment.
b. Visiting protected areas is strictly forbidden to hikers.
c. ‘Leave No Trace’ followers take their litter away with them.
d. A Chilean park was burned because of a careless hiker.

2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.

a. What kind of places do hikers like?
b. Why should some hikers learn about endangered animals?

3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

a. Not strong, easily damaged or destroyed.
b. Official rules or orders.
c. Material used to cover some sorts of food for sale.
d. Making something begin to happen.

4. PHONETICS.

1. Write two words from the text that include the same diphthong sound as "my" /aɪ /.
2. Is the “-n-” pronounced /n/ or /ŋ/ in “hiking”?
3. Is the “-ed” pronounced /t/, /d/ or /ɪd/ in “considered"?

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Reading: British television (level: intermediate)

This post contains a reading of about 200 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and phonetics.

Fawlty Towers is one of the finest situation comedies British television has ever seen. The concept for Fawlty Towers was born in the Gleneagles Hotel in 1971. John Cleese was staying at this hotel, while filming a programme. The hotelier at that time was a man of infinite rudeness called Donald Sinclair. There was a case of mistaken identity with a customer’s bag. Eric Idle left his bag by the front door of the hotel. When he returned later that day, he could not find it. Idle asked Sinclair if he had seen the missing bag and Sinclair responded that it was not his business.

Fascinated by Sinclair and his furious dislike of guests, John Cleese decided to stay on at the Gleneagles and even invited his wife, the actress Connie Booth, to stay with him. The pair of them observed Sinclair’s unusual behaviour. Three years later, John and Connie decided to draw upon their experience at the Gleneagles, and Fawlty Towers was created for the BBC channel.

Although Fawlty Towers is now considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, the initial reactions received from the press and public were mediocre. However, by the time the last episode had been broadcast the show had become immensely popular.

Adapted from FAWLTY TOWERS DVD. BBC 2

QUESTIONS

1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

a. Fawlty Towers is the most popular quiz show on English Television.
b. The person who managed the Gleneagles Hotel was rude to his guests.
c. Eric Idle left his luggage in the garden of the hotel as there was no room in the hall.
d. John Cleese was married to Connie Booth.

2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.

a. From where did the creator of this English series take the idea?
b. Did the critics love the series at the beginning?

3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

(a) Lack of respect for other people.
(b) Very interested.
(c) People who are staying in a hotel.
(d) Not very good, of only average standard.

4. PHONETICS.

(a) Write two words from the text that include the same vowel sound as "corn" /ɔ:/.
(b) Write two words from the text that include the same sound as "responded" /Id/.

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Reading: The Commonwealth (level: intermediate)

This post contains a reading of about 200 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and phonetics.

The Commonwealth is an association of 54 independent member countries which were formerly parts of the British Empire. These countries are found in all continents and their population is over 1.7 billion people. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Jamaica and India are some of its members. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth countries make a great effort to work as one and build a better world for the global community. They help each other to make their economies stronger and to improve their systems of government and the skills of their people. Heads of Government (usually Presidents and Prime Ministers) and Government Ministers of member countries meet regularly to discuss how to co-operate with each other.

Some current projects include bringing the quality of education and schools to higher standards, for teachers and students, supporting immunisation campaigns so that children are healthier, making people more aware of HIV/AIDS and how to deal with it, helping young people to borrow money to start small businesses and studying the rainforest so we learn to take good care of the environment.

Through many professional and over 60 non-governmental organisations, the Commonwealth works hard to make improvements in the lives of people.


QUESTIONS

1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

a. Member countries of the Commonwealth used to belong to the British Empire.
b. The only Commonwealth’s aim is making money.
c. Health programmes are included in the Commonwealth’s projects.
d. All organisations working for the Commonwealth are related to Governments.


2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.

a)What is the main aim of The Commonwealth?

b)Who represents the different countries in the regular meetings the Commonwealth holds?

3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

(a)Large masses of land surrounded by sea.
(b)At regular times, for example every week, month, or year.
(c)Places where children are taught.
(d)What you earn by working and what you spend in order to buy things.

4. PHONETICS.

(a)Write two words from the text that have the same sound as "umbrella" /Λ/.
(Underline the part of the word which contains the phoneme)

(b)Which of the following word has the same sound as "cars" /z/?
1.Parts, 2. Works, 3. Campaigns

(c)Is the "-th-" pronounced voiced /ð/ or voiceless /θ/ in "healthier"?

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Reading: Planning a trip (level: intermediate)

This post contains a reading of about 200 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and vocabulary.

Today, millions of travellers are using the Web to learn about destinations, find last-minute bargains, locate hotels, and plan their adventures. Travel agents can still be tremendously helpful, particularly for complex international journeys. However, the Internet puts the tools for trip planning into the hands of average computer users, enabling them to plan their own trips, at any time of the day or night.

After choosing a destination, travellers can use the Net to find schedules and fares for airlines, hotels, and rental cars. Then, if they so choose, they can book online. The most important booking websites let travellers compare rates among hundreds of airlines, hotel chains, or car rental companies.

While the Web offers remarkable tools for finding bargains and making bookings, it's much more than a one-way medium. Its inherent beauty is its interactive aspect -- in other words, through the Net travellers can find others with similar interests and get advice from them.

The Net is an efficient tool for trip planning, and, under the right circumstances, an excellent way to save money. Yet the benefits extend far beyond finding good deals and some people are finding that planning a trip can be almost as enjoyable as the excursion itself.

ACTIVITIES

1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.

a. People must be expert computer users to plan their trips on the Internet.
b. It is possible to compare hotel prices on the Web before making a reservation.
c. The Internet is an interactive medium which offers more than good deals.
d. Planning a trip on the Net is a boring activity for everybody.

2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.

a. Can you mention some travelling-related activities people can do using the Net?
b. Who on the Internet can give people advice about their trip?

3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.

a. The places that someone is going to.
b. Lists that show the times when planes leave or arrive at a particular place.
c. Almost the same.
d. To use less money so that you do not waste any.

4. PHONETICS.

a. Write two words from the text that include the same diphthong sound as "take" /ei/.
b. Is the “–s” pronounced voiced /z/ or voiceless /s/ in “travellers”?
Write a word from the text that includes the same consonant sound as “composition" /∫/.

(The text as well as the activities were featured on the university entrance examination in the autonomous community of Catilla-La Mancha - Spain).

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Game: BBC Wordmaster

This post includes an interesting and very addictive game: Wordmaster. Similar to hungman or wheel or fortune, you have to guess the word behind the gaps.

This easy but addictive game consists of finding the correct word with the definition provided. There are 3 different levels of difficulty: easy, medium and difficult.

Some sample questions are:

Easy level: Young children are often _ _ _ _ _ _ of the dark. (If you don't know the answer, you can click on "clue" and they'll provide you with a clue like: af_ r_ _ d - (adjective) the condition of feeling fear.

Medium level: We need to get up really early - we need to leave the house at _ _ _ _. (If you don't know the answer, you can click on clue... : d_ _ _ - (noun) when the sun comes up in the morning.

Difficult level: I was a _ _ _ _ _ _ girl, always dropping things and bumping into things. (Clue: _ _ _ _ _ _ - (adjective) not physically skilful or graceful.



Obviously, there's no printable worksheet for this game although you can always use a blackboard to play it.

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