Ingls

C2

C2.1 UNIT 1

Warm up video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_nUOfaWEC4

Transcripcin:
I think the most important thing that I have learned is that there's more to learn. That we
should -- that we should all be hungry for a lifetime. I mean, for example, at my next birthday
I'll be 68. All the great scientific discoveries made by all the great geniuses were largely made
when they were in their 20s and 30s. And yet I became, about two years ago, obsessed with
particle physics and I was determined to understand it before I died. I could not have done
that if I hadn't learned to read when I was young. If I hadn't had the opportunity to study
science courses in my high school, and I lived in the second poorest state in the United States,
which most people my age in my state did not have. I happened to go to a bigger high school
with people who understood we had to get good science and math teachers there.

And if I hadn't gone to, in my case, Georgetown University, which was a Jesuit University, and I
hadn't been subject to the kind of rigors that the Jesuits imposed which made me realize that
however much I thought I knew and however smart I was I didn't know very much and I wasn't
very smart. I had a lot to learn. So that's the most important thing I learned that your brain is a
gift. And we now know that people well into their late 60s and 70s can form new neural
networks. So that even though your brain begins to shrink in your 30s, and does throughout
your life, since none of us ever use even close to half of our brainpower we got a lot left and
we will on our last day on earth we'll have a lot left.

So, the idea that we now know, as a scientific measure because of all the brain scanning
technology that we can form these networks and that we form them best, we're most likely to
form new neural networks later in life by learning something new. So if -- I said I was
interested in particle physics and also in astrophysics and I'm trying to figure out what it means
that we've located 20 planets outside our solar system in the last five years that seem to have
enough density and be far enough away from their sons that they might be able to support
life. That may be the answer to the Russia Ukraine problem; an attack from outer space will
immediately unite us all.

Members of Congress in the U.S. will immediately start hugging each other and singing
Kumbaya. But anyway, I can form new neural networks doing that because I don't know
anything about it, or I didn't when I started. A theoretical physicist would do better going to
Suzuki piano lessons with his grandchild or her grandchild and just playing if you knew nothing
about music. But this is an incredible thing that the most important thing I learned is that it's
important to keep on learning. That you should stay hungry and that the greatest gift can be
even as your body begins to fail if your minds still working you need to use it.

GRAMMAR

CONCESSION CLAUSES

Concession clauses give information that contrasts with the fact in the main clause.
These clauses are introduced with conjunctions such as although, though,
howeverThese words or phrases can introduce:

Background information

Although, though, even though> Shes decided to travel alone, even though shes been
warned.

While / Whilst (formal)> While I see you point, I still think you are wrong.

Pattern: adjective/adverb + as/though + subject + verb

Hard as they tried, the two sides couldnt agree. Difficult though it was, they managed
to reach a compromise.

Much as + like / hate / detest (to talk about strong feelings)

Much as I detest the idea of punishing children, I can see that its useful.

In spite of / Despite of
In spite of the price, I have decided to buy the dress
Despite feeling terrible, I went to the birthday party.

Unexpected contrast

Most common word>

She may be annoying sometimes, but I love her.

To strengthen the contrast>

I know standards have changed, but still / but even so such scenes on TV are not
acceptable.
Adverbs and adverbial phrases>
I felt really tired. Nevertheless (even so, however, all the same), I continued dancing.

POSITION OF LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES

Concession clauses can come as the first or second part of the sentence:

Contrast or opposition by starting a second sentence with an adverbial:

The weather was terrible. Nevertheless (however), we decided to go for a walk.

Adverbials and phrases at the end of the second sentence

I saw Paul last night. We didnt speak though.

EXERCISES
1. Rewrite each of the following sentences using the words given. Make the
necessary changes to punctuation.
1. We have no money, but we are very happy (even)
2. The wind blew all the time, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves
(nevertheless)
3. I like her new boyfriend but I dont trust him (however)
4. I love REMs music, but I still think his latest CD is disappointing (much).
5. My grandad is over 90, but he still manages to remain active (even so)
2. Combine each pair of sentences using the linking word given.
1. There has been strong European competition. We have secured the order, all
the same (yet)
2. The future for rain forests looks bleak. However, no one is giving up (although)
3. There are many dissenters, yes. At the same time, there are many who think as
we do (despite)
4. Ive always been honest about my feelings. You, on the other hand, have not
(whereas)
5. I know there is a moral code with regard to customers. Even so, I think in this
case we might go ahead (spite)
3. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar in
meaning as possible to the sentence printed before it.

1. Grey is this years colour. Even so, I look dull in it. Although
2. It didnt matter how hard we tried, we still couldnt convince him to lower
the price. Hard
3. I love chips, but my doctor says they are bad for me. Much
4. Im not working overtime, however often they ask me. No
5. I like the lyrics, despite the fact that I think the music is dreadful.
While

Expressing purpose and effect

1. Purpose and intention
-

Verbs> I mean (plan, intend, aim, hope) to retire before I am 65.

Nouns> My goal (dream, plan, intention) is to jump over 16 metres.
Adjectives> I am determined (eager, keen, resolved, tempted) to see the world
before Im 50.
Verbal phrases> Pam has high hopes of winning. They have no intention of
backing down, John has no thoughts of marrying, I have half a mind to
resign, I am toying with the idea of moving.

Prepositional phrases> she did it with the hope of getting / with the aim of /
with a view to getting / a job in graphic design.

Fill each of the blanks with one suitable word:

a. They are ______ to sell with a view _______ making a quick profit while the
goings good.
b. Ive every __________ of completing the course because Im intent_____
becoming qualified.
c. Im of a _______________ to tell him that I have no thoughts _______ giving in
my notice.

2. Effect, result, cause

We can use verb and noun structures and adverbial phrases:

Money affects / has an effect on attitude.

Peer pressure influences / has an influence on teenagers.
This will entail / involve / neccessitate further research.
Stress has its roots in many things.

Fill each of the numbered blanks in the passage with a verb from the list.

Causes

results

means

leads

affects

The recent rapid growth in the tourism industry ________ (1) that many beautiful towns
and villages have ceased to belong to their inhabitants. This naturally _________ (2)
the way local people regard their visitors, and the latters arrogant dismissive behaviour
often _________ (3) friction. Indeed, this friction sometimes ________ (4) to open
hostility between natives and invaders which ________ (5) in an inhospitable
atmosphere that is to neither sides

Agreeing or not
Not giving in (to show we are unwilling to make concessions)
Standing firm, not taking no for an answer, holding out for all you can get, remaining
adamant, rejecting compromise, staying put.

Weighing things up (to show we are undecided)

Im sitting on the fence, I must weigh things up, we should take this into account /
consideration, Lets sleep on it, we need to balance the pros and the cons, perhaps we
need to compromise, we will arrive to a mutually satisfactory solution.

Giving in (when we decide to agree)

I will allow you that, I will make an exception for you, you are being treated as a special
case, have it your way, I give in, you win, I admit defeat, I throw in the towel, I suppose
you want me to write you a blank cheque.

What do you think about these statements? (Write some lines about them)

The school day should be longer

I love having a nap!
Coffee helps you stay awake
Celebrities have a very hard life
It is harder to be a celebrity now
Social networks are a safe way to be in touch with the world

VOCABULARY

Means of communication

Newspapers in English: Why do you Need to read them?

A newspaper is the one day bestseller.

Valery Yants
Today we will talk about types of
newspapers in English, why its
necessary to read them, how to choose
a newspaper in English, where to find a
newspaper in English online, how often
to read them and at what level to start
reading newspaper articles.
We will answer all the questions.

Why do you Need to Read newspapers in English?

Its useful to read newspapers in English because of the following reasons:

newspapers reflect the modern colloquial language

newspapers are the source of the information about the world
newspapers give you a chance to learn more about a particular sphere of our
life

newspapers can help you find a job, rent an apartment in the country where you
are going to move
If you read newspapers in English regularly your level of English can be increased, you
can enlarge your vocabulary. You will also notice that it becomes easier to build
sentences in English using words and phrases from newspaper articles. Your speech
will be closer to native speakers after reading authentic articles.
Those who are going to pass international exams in English such as IELTS / TOEFL /
FCE / CAE examiners recommend to read newspaper articles in English regularly as
such article will be used in Reading and Writing. Cambridge exams want to check not
only how well you understand articles but how well you can write them too. Its
especially useful to readNew Scientist and the Economist to get ready for the
Academic Module.
What kind of newspapers are there?
Newspapers in English can be devided into those published in English speaking
countries and in others. Newspapers are written for native English speaking people and
for those who study the English language (ESL learners). And newspapers for native
speakers can be devided into professional and popular.
Newspapers for English speaking people. Its useful to read them from the UpperIntermediate level of English.

thebigproject.co.uk a list of online newspapers sorted by the country of

origin.
British newspapers:

Financial Times

Times

Telegraph

the Guardian

METRO

Mirror

the Sun

The SundayTimes
American newspapers:
Serious:

The New York Times

The Wall Street Journal

The Washington Post

Los Angeles Times

Tabloids:

USA Today

New York Daily News

NewYork Post

Chicago Sun-Times

Houston Chronicle
Canadian newspapers:

National Post

Tha Vancouver Sun

Ottawa Citizen

TimesColonist

TheChronicleHerald

CalgaryGerald

WinniepegFreePress
Australian newspapers:

The Australian

News.com.au

The Sydney Morning Herald

TheWestAustralian
New Zealand newspapers:

NewZealandHerald

Stuff

Local Matters

Migrant News

The National Business Review

Newspapers for English
Learners
1. The
Learning Edge
2. Adult
Learning Activities
3. Words in the News

4. breakingnewsenglish.com

5. PBS Newshour EXTRA

6. VOA News
7. simpleenglishnews.com
Russian newspapers:

The Moscow News

The Moscow Times

The St.Petersburg Times

Russian newspapers for students:

School English

English
How to read newspapers in English?
Students are often interested in how to read
newspaper articles effectively, how many article to
read per week and per day. We offer you to learn what
our teachers recomend concerning these questions.
The answer to that is dependent on their level. I have
low-level students who find it too tremendously difficult
so read only occasionally, and then I have high-level
students who regularly turn to the NY Times for news.
For a pre-int. student maybe a short article every
day or so (Michelle)
I would suggest each day if possible and as many articles as they have time for
starting from intermediate level. (atherine)
There is no formula. I believe that the more a person reads, the better for him/her. It is
important that a student does not read material that is either too easy or too difficult.
Material that is too difficult may result in discouraging the student. material that is too
easy will have little, if any, effect.
Motivation is also very important. Therefore, I always suggest that my students read
about what interests them most. Advanced English learnes should read longer articles
and obviously ones that include more advanced vocabulary. Students should gradually
increase the bar, that is go on to a slightly more difficult material once they realize
that they have relatively few problems with the level theyre at. But as I mentioned
earlier it really depends and there is no formula regarding how much is enough. The
more the better. (Ewa)
I think that it depends on their level. For intermediate students an article can take a
very long time, so they may only want to try one or two articles a week because it may
take them the whole week to finish those. Avery advanced student may want to try to
read the whole front page three or four times a week. (Erin)
I think they could start with short articles at intermediate level if their vocabulary is ok. I
think they should read at least 3 a week. I think reading is very important for getting the
feel of a language, as important as learning vocabulary. (Ann Mackay)
Well, I think they should read everyday. I dont think there is a magic number of essays,
but they should read a wide range of different articles from science to literature, etc.
(Shelly)

No matter what the students level is, he/she should be able to find material appropriate
to his/her level. Also, they should challenge themselves by reading something a little
more difficult than their level but not so difficult that theyll give up. (Shelly)
I would recommend daily for whatever level they are (Carmine)
What newspaper in English to choose?
It is definitely better to read the newspapers of the region you are interested in. So if
you plan to immigrate to Australia try to read Australian newspapers.
Read newspaper articles about something that is interesting to you, your hobbies.
Please, remember that reading should be exciting.
Different newspapers, authors, styles and facts about life will help you broaden your
horizons and learn new words.