Showing posts with label EF U02. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EF U02. 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 31. Pronunciation /ɜː/
“ir” words (same sound as in bird /bɜːd/)
circuit /ˈsɜːkɪt/
bird
girl
first
third
shirt
skirt
dirt
stir
firm
birth
circle
“ur” words (same sound as in burp)
turn
burn
hurt
church
nurse
purse
burst
curve
“er” words (same sound as in her)
her
term
verb
serve
nerve
perfect
person
dessert (first syllable unstressed: /dɪˈzɝt/)
“or” words with this sound (as in work)
Not all “or” words make this sound—only some.
work
word
world
worm
worth
worst
“our” words with this sound
courteous → /ˈkɝːtiəs/
courtesy → /ˈkɝːtəsi/
journey
journal
journalist
journalism
“ear” words with this sound
earth
earn
learn
heard
EF p 31. Learning to Speak New Language Can Slow Biological Ageing. Word Formation
Learning to speak new language can slow biological ageing, TCD (1)___________ (RESEARCH) find
People from countries where multilingualism was common were 2.17 times less likely to experience accelerated ageing
Learning to speak one or more new languages can slow biological ageing and protect the brain against age-related (2)____________ (COGNITION) decline.
So says new research reported in Nature Ageing, by scientists at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the Basque Center On Cognition, Brain and Language in San Sebastian and the Latin American Brain Health Institute in Santiago, Chile.
“Our results provide strong evidence that multilingualism functions as a (3)_______________ (PROTECTION) factor for healthy ageing,” said Agustín Ibáñez, professor of global brain health at TCD, who co-led the research.
“The protective effect was cumulative – the more languages people spoke, the (4)______________ (GREAT) their protection against ageing-related decline,” said Prof Ibáñez.
The international team of scientists analysed data from 86,149 adults (5)___________ (AGE) 51 to 90 living in 27 European countries.
Ageing clock
A “bio-behavioural ageing clock” method was used to compare the participants’ (6)__________________ (PREDICTION) biological age, based on health, cognition, education and lifestyle factors, with their actual chronological age.
It was found that people from countries where multilingualism was common were 2.17 times less likely to experience (7)____________ (ACCELERATION) ageing compared with those living where monolingualism held sway.
This evidence indicates that language learning and its use activates and engages the brain networks related to attention, memory, decision-making and social (8)____________ (INTERACTIVE), said Prof Ibáñez.
This study improves on previous research investigating the link between multilingualism and ageing, which were limited by the use of smaller clinical samples, as well as patients that already had signs of cognitive (9)_______________ (IMPAIRED).
The analysis, in this study, of a far larger, healthy population (10)______________ (ABLE) the scientists to show the benefits of multilingualism went further than simply delaying dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
The scientists examined the (11)______________ (BEHAVIOUR) age gap – the difference between predicted biological age and actual age – between thousands of individual study participants.
They found that multilingual individuals (12)______________ (CONSISTENCY) exhibited slower ageing, even after the linguistic, social, physical and sociopolitical factors were taken into account.
“The more languages people speak, the greater their protection against ageing-related decline,” said Dr Lucia Amoruso of the Basque Centre On Cognition, Brain and Language.
“Multilingualism is an accessible, low-cost tool for promoting healthy ageing across populations, complementing other (13)______________ (MODIFY) factors such as creativity and education,” added Dr Hernán Hernández of the Latin American Brain Health Institute in Chile.
The study found no evidence that the protective effect of multilingualism depended on the language learned.
The researchers didn’t look at whether language learning by app, or its (14)______________ (CONVERSATION) use, were more protective against ageing, but they did note that social use of a new language was more likely to provide greater benefits than passive (15)____________________ (EXPOSE) or memory drills.
“Language is not just words, but a dynamic, cognitive and social activity,” said Prof Ibáñez. “Using multiple languages in daily communication requires constant switching, contextual adaptation and emotional (16)__________________ (ENGAGE) – all of which activate distributed brain systems that support attention, memory and emotion regulation.”
In light of this study’s findings, the scientists recommend that language learning be incorporated into public health plans to enhance cognitive (17)_______________ (RESILIENT) and reduce the burden of ageing.
In Ireland, it could lead to (18)______________ (NEW) efforts to promote the Irish language, not just for cultural reasons, but for its health benefits.
Adapted from The Irish Times
KEY
1. researchers
2. cognitive
3. protective
4. greater
5. aged
6. predicted
7. accelerated
8. interaction
9. impairment
10. enabled
11. behavioural
12. consistently
13. modifiable
14. conversational
15. exposure
16. engagement
17. resilience
18. renewed
Further information:
BBC Newshour minute: 17' 50''
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