Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles. Show all posts
EF p 190. Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday? Writing an Article. Verb Form Gap Fill
Read the following text and fill in the gaps with the verb that best fits each space using the correct verb form of the verbs below. There are TWO extra verbs you will not need. The activity begins with an example (0).
Verbs: picture, stumble across, work, always/fascinate, kowtow, give, curb, find, nod, tell, swap, finally/allow, clearly/wait, dig.
Task instructions: You have been asked to write an article describing your experience of an unusual type of holiday for a students’ magazine.
Fancy a Down-to-Earth Holiday?
Are you tired of doing the same thing every summer? (0) Picture this: you're sprawled on a beach towel, bored out of your mind, watching other tourists do exactly what you're doing – absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? If you (1) your head right now, it might be time to trade that sun lounger for something more memorable.
I (2) by history, but let's be honest – reading about ancient civilisations in dusty textbooks isn't exactly thrilling. So when I (3) an advertisement for an archaeology training holiday, I was intrigued. A week of hands-on historical detective work? Sign me up! My friends thought I'd lost my mind. "You're paying to dig holes in the dirt?" one asked. "You could do that in your garden for free!"
Our group was wonderfully eclectic. Eight of us gathered that first morning: a retired school teacher who (4) for years for this adventure, two enthusiastic American college students armed with expensive cameras (naturally), an out-of-work actor who (5) us dramatic readings of historical texts at every opportunity – including at breakfast – and a few others who, like me, were simply curious. We stayed in a converted farmhouse where the accommodation was refreshingly simple but comfortable, and the home-cooked meals were absolutely delicious. Proper food, not the usual holiday fare that makes you wonder which century it's from (though given our location, that might have been appropriate).
After some basic training in archaeological techniques – learning the difference between a significant find and a rock was harder than you'd think, and I'm still not entirely convinced about some of my "discoveries" – we (6) to join a real dig at a nearby archaeological site. Imagine carefully brushing away centuries of soil with what looks like a toothbrush, never quite knowing what might emerge. The tension, the concentration, the sheer excitement of it all! Also, the backache. Nobody mentions the backache.
Then it happened. As I (7) methodically through my assigned section, convinced I (8) nothing but more dirt, my trowel struck something hard. My heart raced as I gently uncovered a tiny fragment of pottery, its surface surprisingly smooth despite the passage of time. When our instructor examined it later that day, she confirmed it was Roman. "Beginner's luck!" she announced with a grin. Meanwhile, the retired teacher who (9) for three days had found precisely one modern bottle cap. I tried not to look too smug.
Would I recommend an educational holiday? Absolutely. In fact, I'm already planning my next one – mediaeval castle restoration, anyone? Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with traditional beach holidays if that's your thing. But personally, I can't think of anything more rewarding than learning a new skill, meeting fascinating people, and coming home with stories that are actually worth (10) at dinner parties.
Oh, and I still got a sun tan – just with considerably more dirt under my fingernails and a newfound appreciation for professional archaeologists who do this every day without complaining. So, what would your life be like if you (11) predictable for unforgettable this summer?
KEY
1. 're nodding
2. 've always been fascinated
3. stumbled across
4. 'd clearly been waiting
5. gave
6. were finally allowed
7. was working
8. 'd find
9. 'd been digging
10. telling
11. swapped
Extra verbs:
To Curb: To check or keep in check; to restrain. Sp. frenar, restringir.
"The government introduced new laws to curb inflation."
To Kowtow: To act in an excessively subservient manner.
“I refuse to kowtow to the demands of a bully.”
EF p 190. An Article about Childhood. Word Formation
Children’s lives have changed (1)____________ (ENORMOUS) over the last 50 years. But do they have (2)___________ (HAPPY) (3)____________ (CHILD) today?
1 It’s difficult to look back on one’s own childhood without some element of (4)_____________ (NOSTALGIC). I have four brothers and sisters and my memories are all about being with them, playing board games on the living room floor, or spending days outside with the other (5)_______________ (NEIGHBOUR) children, racing around on our bikes or exploring the (6)___________ (NEAR) woods. My parents (7)_____________ (HARD) ever appear in these memories, except as (8)_____________ (PROVIDE) either of meals or of severe reprimands after some (9)______________ (PARTICULAR) (10)________________ (HAZARD) adventure.
2 In the UK at (11)__________ (LITTLE), the nature of childhood has changed (12)______________ (DRAMATIC) since the 1970s. First, families are (13)______________ (SMALL) and there are far more only children these days. It is common for both parents to work outside the home and far (14)____________ (FEW) people have the time to bring up a large family. As a result, boys and girls today spend much of their time alone. Another major change is that (15)_____________ (YOUNG) tend to spend a huge proportion of their free time at home, inside. This is often due to the fact that parents worry much more than they used to about real or imagined dangers, so they wouldn’t dream of letting their children play outside by themselves.
3 (16)____________ (FINAL), the kinds of toys children have and the way they play is (17)____________ (TOTAL) different. Computer and video games have (18)____________ (PLACE) the board games and more active (19)____________ (TIME) of my childhood. The fact that they can play the games on their own (20)_______________ (FAR) increases the sense of (21)___________ (ISOLATE) felt by many young people today. The irony is that so many of these games are called ‘(22)___________ (ACT)’.
4 Do these changes mean that children today have a (23)___________ (LITTLE) (24)__________ (IDYLL) childhood than I had? I personally believe that they do, but perhaps every generation feels (25)__________ (EXACT) the same.
KEY
1. enormously
2. happier
3. childhoods
4. nostalgia /nɒˈstældʒə/
5. neighbourhood
6. nearby
7. hardly
8. providers
9. particularly
10. hazardous /ˈhæzədəs/
hazardous: Involving risk or danger, especially to somebody’s health or safety.
hazardous waste/materials/substances/chemicals
They endured a hazardous journey through thickening fog.
It would be hazardous to invest so much.
hazardous to somebody/something
a list of products that are potentially hazardous to health
11. least
12. dramatically
13. smaller
14. fewer
15. youngsters
16. Finally
17. totally
18. replaced
19. pastimes
20. further
(adv)
to a greater degree or extent Sp. más, más a fondo.
to develop/increase/enhance/improve something further
to strengthen/support something further
Costs must be further reduced.
The police decided to investigate further.
My life is further complicated by having to work such long hours. She was getting further and further into debt.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Their share price fell further today.
21. isolation
22. interactive
23. less
24. idyllic
25. exactly
Ready for C1 p 34. Fashion Trends. Article. Word Formation
TASK description:
A magazine is inviting readers to write an article about the fashion trends people follow. You decide to write an article commenting on why people follow fashion trends, and assessing if people use fashion as a form of self-expression or not.
Sample answer
Following Fashion- Why Do We Do It?
Is fashion important to you? For most people it is, at least to some extent. From those who wear (1)________ (TREND) ripped jeans and loose-fitting T-shirts to those who wear smart (2)___________ (TAILOR) suits and expensive designer outfits, each individual can have their own style. But why are people following fashion? And what impact can this have on their self-expression?
(3)___________ (ARGUE), one factor that influences what people wear is the need to impress others. People who dress well and keep up with the latest styles seem to be more noticed than those who are not concerned about their (4)____________ (APPEAR). For this reason, people wear fashionable clothing and assume an identity which makes them feel they impress. Yet, by copying general looks, people actually suppress their (5)_____________ (ORIGIN), leading to a conscious or subconscious (6)________________ (SUPPRESS) of their individuality.
At the same time fashion is perceived by some as a tool for success and one that denotes wealth or prestige. For instance, people (7)__________ (INTENTION) try to elevate their status by wearing famous brands or expensive clothes which are admired by others. These clothes are not actually giving a personal statement of the (8)___________ (WEAR) as they are just the means to promote a specific image of power and control. In this case, fashion does not express personal individuality but could perhaps be said to give a false (9)____________ (IMPRESS) of appearance for a specific purpose.
That being said, following fashion may not have anything to do with copying current trends but with using them as an inspiration to create outfits expressing individuality. An example of this is reforming fashionable pieces and making small (10)______________ (PERSONAL) changes. Adding glam here and there, rolling up a pair of trousers or even wearing two different shoes can be considered a form of self-expression demonstrating originality.
Having considered all this, to my way of thinking fashion can be used as a means of communication and a way to communicate your self-image to people around you. As a famous (11)___________ (DESIGN) once said, "Fashion is instant language."
KEY
1. trendy
2. tailored
3. Arguably
4. appearance
5. originality
6. suppression
7. intentionally
8. wearer
9. impression
10. personalised
11. designer
How to Write an Article?
ARTICLE
CONTENT
An
article is usually based on a discussion, a description or a narrative (or it
may involve a combination of more than one of these).
Articles are meant to be informative, but they are most successful when they capture the reader's attention.
Give your article a title that describes your focus but also sparks interest.
You can use a rhetorical question in the introductory paragraph to make the reader want to read the article in order to find out the answer.
APPROACH
An
article should catch the reader’s attention and make him or her want to read
on. Think about the age group you are writing for and ask yourself how much
they might know about the subject and how you can make it interesting for them.
With a light-hearted (enjoyable, not too serious) topic, humour is often helpful. You can also
make your article more lively and readable by:
· Addressing your readers directly
Questions to engage the reader:
Did you know…?
What would you do if …?
Have you ever...?
What would your life be like if...?
Are you one of those people who...?
Isn't it amazing/ extraordinary/ incredible how/ that...?
Using imperatives
Let me tell you about...
Make an effort to...
Reach out to...
Imagine if/what
Questions to engage the reader:
Did you know…?
What would you do if …?
Have you ever...?
What would your life be like if...?
Are you one of those people who...?
Isn't it amazing/ extraordinary/ incredible how/ that...?
Using imperatives
Let me tell you about...
Make an effort to...
Reach out to...
Imagine if/what
· Using a personal approach
Personally, I
can’t imagine anything worse!
·
Giving
specific examples and quotations
As Mrs X explained, ….. According
to …
GENERAL STRUCTURE
·
Give
your article a heading or headline which makes the subject clear and also
catches the reader’s attention.
·
Divide
the article into paragraphs to help the reader follow the argument.
·
Begin
with an interesting introduction – an example, perhaps, or a question.
·
End
with an overall comment or concluding remark.
HEADINGS
Use
your imagination to make the headline catch the reader’s attention. Here are
some of the ways writers do this:
·
A
dramatic word or phrase:
Freezing!
·
A
summary of the story:
My Lone Walk to
the North Pole.
Rescue from the
rapids
·
A
question:
What’s the big
idea?
Just a normal
day?
·
A
surprising fact:
Seven banks a
day are robbed in LA.
You’re already well
equipped to prevent crime.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
Sequencing
At first / To start with/In the beginning, ...
Then/Next/After that, ...
The next thing that happened was ...
The next thing I knew was ...
Seconds/Minutes later,
Late on/Some time later,
It wasn't until much later that ...
After some time/After what seemed like years, ...
Finally/In the end, ...
At last, ...
Simultaneous events
Meanwhile/In the meantime,
While all this was going on,
In the middle of all this, ...
During all this time, ...
Sudden or unexpected events
Suddenly/All of a sudden, ...
All at once, ...
Out of the blue, ...
Without any warning, ...
Just when I was least expecting it, ...
The next thing I knew was ...
Rapid events
As quick as a flash, ...
In the wink of an eye, ...
In a matter of seconds/minutes, ...
In no time at all, ...
Looking back
In retrospect, ...
When I think back to what happened then, ...
EXAMPLE
You
have been asked to write an article describing your experience of an unusual
type of holiday for a students’ magazine.
FANCY
A DOWN-TO EARTH HOLIDAY?
Are
you fed up with lazing on the beach? Do you want to do something a little
different this year? Well, there are now quite a number of educational holidays
available and I decided to try one of these out.
I’d
always been interested in history so when I saw an advertisement for a week’s
break which included training in archaeology, it seemed ideal.
There
were eight of us in the group, including a retired school teacher, two American
college students and an out-of-work actor. Accommodation was simple but
comfortable and the food was all home-cooked and delicious.
After
some basic training, we were allowed to take part in a dig at a nearby
archaeological site. It was a fascinating process and the high spot for me was
finding a tiny piece of pottery which was later identified as Roman –
‘Beginner’s luck’, according to the teacher!
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