Merry Christmas with love

The traditional story for little children has been turned into an ad that can be enjoyed by all ages. M&S is Marks and Spencer; a well-known British department store. This is our way of wishing you all the Merriest of X´mases. Enjoy it! 

D- Day

The moment  has come. 

It is time to shine!

Every single classday, every activity, effort, every piece of laughter.. Every time we were tired and kept going... every time we recognised the importance of it all, every time we bonded... all of this just to reach the most awaited for, yet the most dreaded moment of it all and we face this monomental challege head on, confidently. because we know we are ready.

It's our time to shine!

Brain Teasers´Time!

Clever Brain Teasers: Riddles that require extra brain power.

Which statement is true out of the following? 

One statement here is false.
Two statements here are false.
Three statements here are false.

Answer: The second statement. 

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. You eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?

Answer: Corn on the cob.

Who is Winnie the Pooh's best friend?

Answer: Piglet.

A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose among three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

Answer: The third one. Lions that haven’t eaten in three years are dead.

 

Source: http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/BrainTeasers/CleverBrainTeasers.php

Can you guess, who said what?

Writing essays

THE GIVER - TRIVIA!

Let's play some jeopardy games to revise for the literature test!

GAME 1

GAME 2

GAME 3

WISH, IF ONLY and HOPE

Hope wish and if only de Missflorpm

REVISE AND PLAY!

JEOPARDY!

The Giver - Chapters 13 & 14

Answer these questions

Chapter 13

1.  What did Jonas see in daily life now?

2.  What would Jonas like to do when he wakes up in the morning?

3.  What does Jonas decide might be unsafe?

4.  Why was Jonas sometimes angry?

5.  What terrible memory did Jonas receive?

6.  Where is The Giver's former spouse?

7.  What does The Giver say his life is?

8.  Ten years ago, how did the community learn they needed a Receiver to contain the pain?

9.  What does The Giver say about Jonas's science teacher?

10.  How does Jonas think The Giver might suffer less?

Chapter 14

1. At the start of the memory, what did Jonas notice?

2.  What painful memory was given to Jonas?

3.  What did Jonas beg for?

4.  Why did Jonas feel lonely?

5.  Why did The Giver end each session with a colorful memory?

6.  Why does The Giver say they must hold painful memories, such as the hunger memory?

7.  Why did The Giver say that the community should not increase their numbers?

8.  Why did The Giver tell them not to shoot the plane down?

9.  What is the real reason for a Receiver?

10.  What is the problem with Gabriel?

11.  What does Father hope they won't have to do with Gabriel?

12.  Why does Father say they are preparing for a release?

13.  What does Jonas wonder about Larissa and the twin?

14.  What idea, concerning Gabriel, does Jonas have?

15.  What happened to the sailboat memory?

The Giver - Chapters 11 & 12

Answer these questions

Chapter 11

1.  How did Jonas understand the sledding experience and the new words?

2.  Where was Jonas when he finally opened his eyes?
3.  Why does the old man feel lighter?
4.  What does Jonas wish he would have done on the sled?
5.  Why is there no longer snow?
6.  Rather than power, what does the Receiver have?
7.  What word did Jonas learn without being told?
8.  What caused Jonas some pain in the third memory?
9.  How did Jonas feel about the pain?
10.  What will Jonas call the old man?

Chapter 12

1.  Who did not sleep well during the night?

2.  What feelings did Jonas have after his dream?
3.  Why couldn't Jonas talk about his experiences in training?
4.  Similar to young children, what is used on the Old?
5.  What did Fiona seem to expect from Jonas?
6.  What strange thing happened as Jonas watched Fiona walk up the steps?
7.  When Jonas talks to The Giver about "seeing" what does The Giver ask Jonas about?
8.  What does The Giver say Jonas is beginning to see?
9.  How would you feel if our world went to Sameness? Explain your answer.
10.  What memory does The Giver want to give that will help Jonas with the concept of color?

The Giver - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

1.  What was done to the bikes during the night?
2.  What did the Attendant do that surprised Jonas?
3.  Why were the doors locked?
4.  What difference about books did Jonas notice in the Receiver's dwelling?
5.  What is the job of the current Receiver?
6.  What did the Receiver do to the speaker?
7.  What will be the first memory given to Jonas?
8. If you could transfer a good memory to someone, what memory would it be?

Did you know these exist?

Watch the 20 inventions 

people shouldn't live without.

Which is the most useful for you? Why?

Which is the silliest? Why?

The Giver - Chapters 8 & 9

Chapter 8

1.  What feelings did Jonas have?
2.  What has Jonas been selected for?
3.  Why will Jonas need courage?
4.  How will Jonas get wisdom?
5.  What Capacity does Jonas have?
6.  When the audience clapped, how did Jonas feel?

Chapter 9

1.  Why did Jonas feel apart?

2.  What was in the folders?
3.  Why is Lily anxious for the next day?
4.  What did Jonas learn about the last person selected to be Receiver?
5.  What rule changes did Jonas now have?
6.  What did Jonas wonder about other people?

The Giver - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

1.  What number was Jonas? Why was he given the number?

2.  What joke was made about Asher with the chief Elder?
3.  Why did Asher stop talking when he was three?
4.  What Assignment did Asher receive?
5.  Why was Pierre being called to the stage a surprise?
6.  Why did Jonas not look at his parents?
7.  What did Jonas search his mind for?
8.  In this community, what do you think it would mean to not get an assignment?

The Giver - Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5

1.  What was the morning ritual?

2.  What did Jonas tell about that morning?
3.  What feeling did Jonas have?
4.  What announcement does Jonas remember hearing about "stirrings"?
5.  What was the treatment?
6.  What were Jonas's differing feelings after taking the pill?
7.  Soon, what happened to Jonas's Stirrings?

Chapter 6

Page 68, first line

1.  Why did the young children have jackets that buttoned down the back?

2.  What job does Jonas say he would not want?

3.  Why didn't Father sit with Mother at the Ceremony?

4.  What process was Gabe going through? Why was Gabe's situation so unusual?

5.  What name had Fiona's little brother been given? How did Fiona feel about it?

6.  What was special about Caleb?

7.  What was special about turning Eight?

8.  Why were Jonas and his family not looking forward to Fritz getting a bike?

9.  What event happened at the Ceremony of Ten?

10.  What story does Asher tell?

11.  Why was Jonas so certain the Assignments would be correct?

12.  What Assignment would you choose for yourself? Why?

EXTREME WEATHER AND NATURAL DISASTERS VOCABULARY

Find useful vocabulary related to the topic we'll be working on in unit 9.

Go to the site!

Natural Disasters: Mount Vesuvius Eruption

Watch the Documentary.

How did the citizens of Pompeii die?

The Giver - Chapter 4

1.  When Lily becomes an Eight, what freedom will she gain?

2.  What Assignment would Benjamin probably be given? Why?

3.  Why did Jonas not talk with Benjamin about his success?
4.  How and where did Jonas find Asher's bike?
5.  How did Jonas fill the tub?
6.  What rule did not apply to the Old and to Newchildren?
7.  Why does Larissa think Edna's lifestory was not that interesting?
8.  Where did Roberto go when he was released?
9.  What makes Larissa laugh?
10.  What do you think happens to a person when he or she is released? Why do you think so?

Units 6, 7 and 8 - Workbook - Self-correction exercises

As discussed in class, your task is to complete the exercises, then correct them with the help of these answers and hand in the workbook for a final check.
Remember to use any other colour to correct, rather than erase the answers. This will help you a lot to spot your mistakes and learn from them!
Here is the link to the answers.
Good job!

The Giver - Chapters 2 & 3

Answer these questions and get ready to discuss them in class:


Chapter 2
1.  What rule did Father break? Why?
2.  What rule was allowed to be broken?
3.  Who was the most important elder?
4.  For Jonas's Father, why was the Ceremony of Twelve not really a surprise?
5.  After the Ceremony of Twelve, what becomes important?
6.  What is Lily's comfort object? When must she not have it?
7.  How did Jonas feel as he did his homework?

Chapter 3
1.  What did Lily notice that Jonas had in common with the newchild?
2.  What look does Jonas wonder if he also has?
3.  Why does Mother think the Assignment of Birthmother would not be good?
4.  Why did Jonas take the apple home?
5.  What were evenings usually for?

The Giver - Chapter 1

Answer these questions and get ready to discuss them in class:

1. How old is Jonas? Why is his age important?

2. What do you think being "released" means?
3. What event did Lily tell about? How did Lily feel?
4. What is Father's job? Why is it important?
5. When was Jonas frightened?
6. When Jonas' friend Asher is late for school, what had to happen?
7. How does Jonas say he feels? Why?
8. How many children may a family have?
9. How does the family help Mother after Mother shares her feelings?
10. Describe the community that Jonas lives in? Would you like to live there? Explain your answer.

Complete these categories with information taken from this chapter and the following ones:

Rules: Rituals: Jobs: Jargon (special vocabulary of Jonas’ society):

The Giver, by Lois Lowry - Introduction

The reader for this part of the year is The Giver, written by the American writer Lois Lowry. 

Watch this presentation about the author, the book and the main topics of the story and answer the questions that follow.

Lois Lowry speaking about the book (You Tube video):

1. Did Lois Lowry conceive the book as a science fiction novel? Explain.
2. In which sense is the way of life described in the book different from ours nowadays?
3. What does she say about the first third part of the book? Why?
4. What does she say about the readers' reactions as they advance with their reading after the first third part of the book?
5. She mentions that the boy, main character, has set out to try to do something with the world he lives in. What is it?
6. People reacted in two very different ways towards the book. Can you explain that?

Following screens:

1. In 1993 the book entered the American Library Association's list of "most challenged books for the period 1990-1999. Do you know what this means? Here is a link to help you.
2. Explain the difference between a utopia and a dystopia. Have you ever read a book or seen a film with any of these features you mention?
3. By the end of the presentation there is a song that belongs to the sountrack of the film. Can you identify it?

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

You probably remember the latest Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, on the Black Sea coast, in Russia.

Can you find the answers to these "Winter Games Riddles"?

You will surely learn some winter sports names!

Video activity: Barca soccer and Lionel Messi

You will wathc a CBS news video and learn about the famous soccer club, Barca, and Lionel Messi playing there.

First, do a pre-watching activity to check your vocabulary understanding (A).

Then, watch the video once and complete the comprehension activity (B)

And finally, watch the video for a second time and discuss the following (C):

 

Enjoy your winter break!

It’s winter break!!! Why not use your extra time to try something new or develop a healthy habit?

1. Start a meditation practice
Now’s the perfect time! Download an app and give yourself a two-week challenge.
2. Begin journaling
Write down your thoughts at the end of the day, or even better, at the beginning. Get into the habit of doing “morning pages”, a highly effective tool for unlocking creativity.
3. Cook some veggies
Shock your family!
4. Read a bio of one of your favorite people
Pay attention to how they set goals and dealt with failure. Then make a list of some goals for yourself for the coming months.
5. Try a new physical activity
Why not yoga? or Zumba? Whatever it is, just get moving!
6. Hang out with some senior citizens
Learning how to use the Internet can actually help improve the health and well-being of seniors. So teach your grandparents how to use Skype, visit an older neighbor or grab a bunch of friends, head to the local senior center, and ask if you can run some free workshops.
7. Plan a (screen free!) family field trip
It’s important to connect with the people around us, but so many times, our screens pull us away. Look online and pretend you’re a tourist in your own town. Is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to go but haven’t had a chance? Or something you used to do as a family but haven’t done in a while?
8. Get involved in some cause you feel strongly about
Research it, spread the word, and inspire others to get involved too.
9. Reconnect with an old friend
Is there someone you had drama with that wouldn’t mind having back in your life? Send them an email, a friend request, or even a handwritten card.
10. Spark your passion
No matter what you your plans are this holiday, make sure you take the time to laugh, appreciate your loved ones, and catch up on some sleep.

Happy Holidays!!

Lots & lots of practice!!!

Second half of the year..... the exam is getting closer!!! 

The following links provide some more practice. 

You´ll find lots of activities for you to work on the different skills / papers. 

FCE Listening Practice

FCE Listening

FCE Listening Test

FCE Reading & Use of English

PRACTICE TESTS: Multiple choice, Sentence completion, Multiple matching, Multiple choice

FCE Writing

FCE Use of English part 1

FCE Practice Tests - Reading and Use of English

Lots of Word Sentence Transformation, Word Formation, Open Cloze 

FCE Use of English part 2

FCE Use of English part 1 test 2

Extra:
Writing: How to write a review for new FCE exam part 2

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE

REVISION GAME!

Rewieving main topics!

PLAY JEOPARDY!

The Catcher in the Rye - chapters 24 - 26 End

Chapter 24
1. How did Mr. Antolini feel about D.B. going to Hollywood?
2. Why does Mrs. Antolini not want Holden to look at her when she enters the room with the coffee and cake?
3. What criteria does Holden say one must meet in order to get a good grade in Oral Expression?
4. Why does Holden like Richard Kinsella’s speeches better than anyone else’s?
5. Holden admits that there were times when he hated both Stradlater and Ackley. What else does Holden say about them?
6. What is the sense of the quote from Wilhelm Stekel which Mr. Antolini writes down for Holden?
7. What does Mr. Antolini say that Holden will do once he decides what to do with his life?
8. What does Mr. Antolini say that a good academic education will do for Holden?
9. What excuse does Holden give Mr. Antolini for having to go to the train station to get his money?
10. While awaiting the elevator, what does Holden say to Mr. Antolini?

Chapter 25
1. Where does Holden spend the rest of the night after he leaves Mr. Antolini’s apartment?
2. What does Holden worry about as he tries to stop thinking about the scene with Mr. Antolini?
3. Whom does Holden think about calling before he meets Phoebe?
4. What rule would Holden require all visitors at his cabin to observe?
5. How does Holden recognize Phoebe from a distance at the museum?
6. Why does Phoebe have a suitcase with her?
7. What does Phoebe say to Holden that he says sounds worse than swearing?
8. How does Holden feel as he stands in the rain watching Phoebe ride the carousel?

Chapter 26
1. From what location is Holden telling this story?
2. What is Holden sorry about?

The Catcher in the Rye - chapters 21 - 23

Chapter 21 
1. When Holden gets on the elevator, whom does he tell the operator he is going to visit?
2. Holden is very skillful at opening the door quietly. What profession does he say he should have gone into?
3. When Holden enters the family apartment, how does he know for sure that he is in the right apartment?
4. How does Holden describe his mother’s hearing ability?
5. Why does Phoebe not like her own room?
6. During the first few moments that he is in Phoebe’s room, Holden says something he has not said for many chapters. What is it?
7. Holden’s mother has outstanding tastes in what area?
8. What kind of reading does Holden find very interesting?
9. How did Phoebe hurt her arm?
10. What does Holden say that he may do now that he has been expelled from school?

Chapter 22 
1. To what does Holden compare Phoebe’s behavior when she finds out that he was expelled from Pencey?
2. Where does Holden say that his father will send him when he learns that Holden has been expelled?
3. Even though Holden likes Mr. Spencer, why does he consider him a phony?
4. What was the Pencey alumnus looking for when he came to Holden and Stradlater’s dorm?
5. When Holden thinks about the nuns, what does he picture them doing?
6. Why did James Castle commit suicide?
7. What was the topic of the only conversation that Holden remembers having with James Castle?
8. What habit of Holden’s does Phoebe wants him to change?
9. What bothers Holden about becoming a lawyer?
10. Who is the author of “if a body meet a body coming through the rye?”

Chapter 23 
1. How does Mr. Antolini respond to Holden’s telephone call?
2. Who taught Phoebe to dance?
3. How does Holden feel after he dances with Phoebe?
4. What behavior of Charlene, the maid, does Phoebe object to?
5. Where does Phoebe say her prayers before she goes to bed that evening?
6. Why does Holden say that he has to leave the house?
7. Why does Phoebe not want Holden to go away?
8. Where does Holden plan to stay until Wednesday?
9. How does Phoebe try to comfort Holden when he is crying?
10. What does Holden do with the hunting hat?

The Catcher in the Rye - chapters 18 - 20

Chapter 18 
1. After Holden leaves the skating rink, where does he go?
2. In Holden’s opinion, how do girls defend a boy they like if someone criticizes him by calling him mean or conceited?
3. Why did Bob Robinson have an inferiority complex?
4. Why does Holden go to Radio City after he leaves the drugstore?
5. According to Holden, what is there about the show at Radio City that Jesus would really like?
6. In the movie, what happens to Alec that causes him to regain his memory?
7. Why is Holden so critical of the lady who sits next to him in the movie?
8. What kind of job did D.B. have when he was overseas in the army?
9. In Holden’s opinion, what was inconsistent about D.B.’s liking the novel A Farewell to Arms?
10. Why is Holden happy that the atomic bomb has been invented?

Chapter 19
1. Describe the entertainment at the Wicker Bar.
2. What types of people frequent the Wicker Bar?
3. Why does Holden not like the bartender at the Wicker Bar?
4. What was the relationship between Luce and Holden when they were at Whooton together?
5. What word does Luce use frequently?
6. How old is Luce’s current girl friend?
7. Give one reason why Luce prefers Eastern philosophy to Western philosophy.
8. What is one of the annoying things about Luce, according to Holden?
9. What advice did Luce give to Holden?
10. What is the one positive thing Holden says about Luce at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 20
1. After Valencia sings, what does Holden ask the headwaiter to do?
2. When Holden leaves the Wicker Bar, why is he holding his stomach?
3. After Holden talks to Sally Hayes on the telephone, how does he picture her at home that evening?
4. While in the restroom, what advice does Holden give the piano player at the Wicker Bar?
5. What excuse does the lady in the hat-check room give Holden for not going on a date with him?
6. Because it is dark and spooky, what does Holden say he would do if he happened to see someone in Central Park?
7. What does Holden say he wants done with his body when he dies?
8. Why was Holden not able to attend Allie’s funeral?
9. While at the lagoon in Central Park, Holden counts his money. What does he do with the coins?
10. What is it that Holden worries about after he decides to go home and see Phoebe?

Peer correction.

Peer Correction - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires

The Catcher in the Rye - Presentation

The Catcher in the Rye

Role Models - Which is yours?

Role Model (good / bad)

To admire / look up to someone

To set an example (good / bad)

To be a good / bad influence

What do you think of them?                          Are they good role models? 

Why? Why not?

Useful Language

Bad Role Models	Good Role Models
Selfish / tight-fisted	Unselfish,
Greedy	generous
Arrogant / self centred / full of himself	Modest / humble
untrustworthy	trustworthy
Bad-tempered / moody	Easy going
dishonest	honest
Lazy	Hard-working

Source: https://freeenglishlessonplans.com/2013/01/29/role-models/