Cello player wins music competition.

 

Cello player wins music competition.

 

A 17-year-old musician has won the Young Musician of the Year Prize. Alex Guo was competing (19)____________ her brother and four other musicians under the (20)____________ of 21 to win the prize. The winner was (21)___________ after the young musicians each played on stage with a band. When she (22)__________ that she was the winner, she was so excited. ‘I just couldn't (23)____________ it,’ she said. ‘Music has always been a (24)_____________, but now I want it to be my job, too.’

 

19.- A) over            B) against                C) after

20.- A) age                B) years                C) time

21.- A) taken             B) found               C) chosen

22.- A) heard             B) listened            C) agreed

23.- A) guess             B) believe             C) thank

24.- A) hobby            B) fun                   C) game

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Cello player wins music competition’ in Exam Practice Test 6: Reading and Writing Part 3 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 132.

Preparing to go camping with the school

 

Preparing to go camping with the school

From choosing the right equipment to remembering to take spare socks, campers need to be prepared! Keen camper, Jody Walterson, 16, explains why.

 

Most pupils are really excited when they are taken on a school camping (19)______________. They’re becoming really popular these days. For example, my class goes camping at (20)_____________ once a year. It’s usually just for one night, but it’s sometimes (21)___________.

 

Parents and children need to work together to (22)______________ sure that everything goes well. Part of this is deciding what to take – this is a really important (23)____________. It’s a good idea to take more clothes than you think will (24)__________. So, if you’re going for two nights, take three pairs of socks. And don’t forget your toothbrush or a charge for your phone!

 

19.- A) way              B) journey          C) trip

20.- A) little             B) least               C) low

21.- A) longer          B) bigger            C) higher

22.- A) get               B) do                   C) make

23.- A) job               B) work               C) occupation

24.- A) have            B) like                  C) need

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Preparing to go camping with the school’ in Exam Practice Test 5: Reading and Writing Part 4 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 116.

Where playing video games is real life

 

Where playing video games is real life

 

Seo-yun Cho doesn’t have time for hobbies because she spends all her time playing video games. ‘I practise as much as I can so I will improve,’ she says. ‘This is what I really need to do.’

 

Seo-yun and her friends are members of KS Fireflies 6, a video game team. She and the other members share a flat in Seoul’s business district. Since they all left school, they have managed to make playing video games their life.

 

Every day, Seo-yun gets up after a good night’s sleep at 10 a.m. and goes for a jog for an hour, before sitting down at her computer and starting to play. She and her friends have a few breaks to eat and relax during the day and the evening, but Seo-yun thinks that after midnight is when she has more fun playing than at any other time. She usually goes to bed at 3 a.m.

 

Seo-yun and the rest of the team need to train hard and keep fit, as top players need to do about 500 mouse-clicks a minute. Video games are big business in South Korea, and the best players (like KS Firefiles 6) usually become even better known than top baseball or volleyball players.

 

Some people might get bored after playing video games for an hour or two. But these guys are actually getting paid to do something they love as a job. Many of them would even like to do it for free!

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Where playing video games in real life’ in Exam Practice Test 5: Reading and Writing Part 3 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 114 and 115.

Three teenage business people

 

Three teenage business people

 

Noa Mintz

 

Noa started a business when she was 8, holding art classes for children. Two years later, she began a party planning business for children. She doesn’t think that went very well. She thinks that because she was very young, the business wasn’t exactly perfect. These days, she is sure that she knows what she’s doing, as she has a business that finds staff to look after other people’s children. She also pays someone to help her with the business.

 

Mikaila Ulmer

 

Mikaila has opened a company called Me and the Bees. It sells lemonade, which is made with local honey. The drink is sold in several shops in Mikaila’s home town and online, and some of the money is given to nature groups that work with bees and other insects. Mikaila also shows children and their families how to get ideas to make money. She says, ‘I think I’ve got lots of good advice for them.’

 

Jessie Chong

 

When Jessie was really young, her parents told her that she should find something that she loved doing. She’s happy she did because she thinks everyone should love their work. Jessie makes jewellery and sells online. She looks at flowers and plants, and then uses the shapes and colours she sees in her jewellery.

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Three teenage business people’ in Exam Practice Test 5: Reading and Writing Part 2 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 112 and 113.

The Museum of Childhood

 

The Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh is full of variety. Visitors can (19)_________ dolls houses, toy cars and much more. There is everything from toy soldiers to board (20)__________. The museum was started by a man called Patrick Murray, who (21)___________ many toys during his life and wanted to show them to the public. But it’s more than (22)_____________ a museum of toys. It explores all parts of growing (23)_____________, and its exhibitions include lots of different things, from storybooks to baby (24)_____________. The museum is easy to find in the centre of Edinburgh and is open all year.

 

19.- A) watch               B) look                 C) see

20.- A) games              B) competitions   C) matches

21.- A) picked             B) collected           C) took

22.- A) already            B) just                    C) yet

23.- A) up                    B) out                    C) away

24.- A) snack                B) food                  C) meal

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘The Museum of Childhood’ in Exam Practice Test 4: Reading and Writing Part 4 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Page 100.

An amazing stay at the Ocean View

 An amazing stay at the Ocean View

 

The garden wasn’t what I expected. ‘Dad,’ I said, ‘you told me there was a pool!’ He took me back into the reception area and then up in the lift to the 39^th floor and out onto the top of the building. ‘Here it is,’ he said, it was amazing! Swimming under the clouds was awesome.

 

I’ve stayed in some great hotels around the world, but nothing as cool as that one! I saw photographs of it before I went, but they don’t really show how large the building is. I couldn’t believe it. Everything is huge – the building, the pool, the meals (which were delicious, too, by the way)! There’s so much to do and see there. I hope we can go back again and stay for longer!

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘An amazing stay at the Ocean View’ in Exam Practice Test 4: Reading and Writing Part 3 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 98 and 99.

Cookery books for young people

 

Cookery books for young people

 

This week, we look at three books about cooking for young people:

 

My First Cookbook by Lenard Minnow

 

Lennard Minnow’s last cookery book was a huge success across the world. And now, he has written a cookery book just for children. It has lots of lovely reading activities, so that children can get to know the names of more unusual foods. It explains in a easy-to-read way how to cook and make it clear that cooking can be a hobby that young and old can really enjoy.

 

Cooking for Students by Cormac O’Dally

The idea for this book came when Cormac O’Dally’s two sons went away to university. They never cooked and had no idea what to do in the kitchen, so Cormac wrote this book to help them. The photo on the cover of the book shows Cormac and his sons laughing and enjoying great new food ideas. The meals are very simple, like cheese on toast, but they’re easy to prepare and good for you, too.

 

Everybody Can Cook by Denise Macon

With its ‘look-as-you-cook’ photos, you can see the author doing everything that you need to do in this wonderful new book. And, as the title says, you’ll soon be able to make tasty meals. Many of them come from all four corners of the world. The author received £4,000 when the book was chosen as Cookbook of the Year in a competition this year.

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Cookery books for young people’ in Exam Practice Test 4: Reading and Writing Part 2 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 96 and 97.

Ferry to school

 

Ferry to School

 

Most pupils go to school each day on foot or by car, but Jordan Basford is different. He lives on the Scottish island of Egilsay. There, the school had to (19)____________ because there weren’t any other pupils. The nearest school is in Rousay, across the sea. His family has a boat, but it is small, and they can (20)_____________ use it in good weather. A much larger boat is (21)___________ in bad weather. So every day, Jordan has to (22)_____________ the ferry across the sea to go to school. He usually comes back home afterwards, but sometimes he phones home to say that he’s (23)_____________ the night at a friend’s house instead. ‘I know I have to travel a long (24)_______________ to school each day,’ he says, ‘But I don’t mind.’

 

19.- A) close       B) complete       C) finish

20.- A) almost    B) only                C) nearly

21.- A) needed  B) liked               C) had

22.- A) travel      B) make              C) catch

23.- A) resting    B) staying           C) sleeping

24.- A) way         B) transport       C) mile

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Ferry to School’ in Exam Practice Test 3: Reading and Writing Part 4 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Page 84.

Isabella's text

 

Lots of people become good at something when they are young. And quite a lot of children know what career they want to follow when they are older. But not everyone opens their own company. This is exactly what Isabella Rose Taylor has done. She started designing clothes when she was eight years old.

 

At the time, she was a keen painter. She used a lot of reds, blues and yellow, and these colours helped her to think of new clothes which she could make.

 

When she started designing and making clothes, Isabella just made clothes for fun. But people liked her designs, so soon she started selling them online. Now she has a business and takes part in fashion shows. She runs her business from the family home, where she has made one room into an office, and another into a studio where the clothes are made.

 

Isabella has also found time to finish school and get a college degree. She’s intelligent, and she has thousands of followers online who love her stuff. It’s brilliant that she already has people who work for her. Above all, she really knows what is needed to succeed in the world of fashion. And I am sure that she will.

 

‘The way I see it is I get to follow my dream and be a teenager at the same time. I think I’m pretty lucky,’ she says.

 

University of Cambridge (2019) Exam Practice Test 3: Reading and Writing Part 3 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 82 and 83.

Three teenage sports superstars

Three teenage sports superstars

 

Gaurika Singh, swimmer

Gaurika is from Nepal and she was the only under-14-year-old to take part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She swam 100 metres backstroke for Nepal. Home for Gaurika these days is in the UK, and she trains at the Copthall Swimming Club, where the coaches have trained other world-class swimmers. Her father, Paras, Singh, travels with her around the world when she goes to a competition.

 

Tracy Austin, tennis player

 

When Tracy Austin was given a car as a prize in a tennis competition in Stuttgart, Germany, she was 15 and still too young to drive, but she was already a professional tennis player. Then at the age of 17 the American became the youngest ever sports person to earn a million dollars. Before long, she was the world’s number one player. These days, she often appears on TV, talking about tennis matches at major competitions.

 

University of Cambridge (2019) ‘Three teenage sport superstars’ in Exam Practice Test 3: Reading and Writing Part 2 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 80 and 81.

Advice on doing homework

Advice on doing homework

 

Damian, 23

 

I don’t mind doing homework, especially when I play some jazz (and not pop) on my phone.  When I do, I’m able to think more carefully about what I’m doing. Sometimes I really enjoy doing homework, especially when it’s math and I understand it well. Or when one of my classmates comes to my place and we study together. I find it’s best if I let my parents and sister know I’m busy so they don’t come into my room and spend all evening talking to me!

Louis, 11

 

When I started doing my homework in my room every morning, it wasn’t a great success. I always found something more interesting to do! But these days, I don’t have the same problem. I just go to my room in the evening switch on the light, sit down at my desk and do it. I do love music, but if I put my MP3 player on, I start to think about the song and not the homework! So I don’t listen while I work. It’s the same problem if my mum or dad put music on in the next room. I turn my mobile off or put it away before I start. That helps too.

 

Jackson, 14

 

I usually do most of my homework before I go to bed. And then I do a bit more as soon as I wake up. I’ve always found it easy to do that. I’ll maybe look at my German vocabulary for five minutes before breakfast. I tell my friends at school: ‘If you want to do you homework well, make sure your room is nice and bright. Otherwise, you’ll fall asleep!’

 

University of Cambridge (2020) ‘Advice on Doing Homework’ in Exam Practice Test 2: Reading and Writing Part 2 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Pages 50 and 51.

How CELTA has changed Samuel’s life

 How CELTA has changed Samuel’s life

 

Hi, my name is Samuel Johnson. I was born in London from immigrant parents and I did the CELTA course at London Stafford House to become an English teacher. When I finished it, I was over the moon despite having thought I had played with fire as I never imagined how it could change my life. However, I didn’t have an option because I needed a breath of fresh air since I was interested in a career change.

 

The tip of the iceberg was that my unemployment fund, which was a drop in the ocean for bearing my family costs but useful, was going to be over. Hence, I wasn’t going to be able to keep my head above water soon to support my family since I am the householder.

 

After having unsuccessfully applied for different job vacancies in London in spite of being a native speaker, I decided to do it for an abroad job pool. Until one day, I happened something out of the blue: I was considered for the position as an English teacher in Vietnam, so I realised I had to be down to earth if I wanted to earn money; therefore, I accepted.

 

Nowadays, I am living as happy as Larry in Ho Chi Minh city with my wife and my kid, though I miss London. Conversely, only the destiny will indicate me if I will remain in Vietnam, go back to London or be somewhere else.

 

Written by Teacher Elmer Santana for the CAE 2 Course of the Foreign Language Centre at La Salle University of Cancun on the 28^th of March 2023.

Ivan's email

Read the email and answer the questions below choosing the correct answer.

 

Hi Mum,

 

Life in New York is exciting!

 

I have a job in a café in Manhattan. I get up at half past four in the morning everyday from Monday to Saturday and I work from half past five until two o’clock in the afternoon.

 

There are lots of people in the café from six until nine o’clock because the breakfasts hare are great! I really like the breakfasts! The sandwiches are also very good and I lunch there every day.

 

I have a new friend in New York. His name’s Rex and he’s a taxi driver. He often works at night and he has breakfast in the café at half past five. He always says ‘Coffee and breakfast for dinner, please!’ Then he goes home and he goes to bed!

 

E-mail me soon!

Love,

Ivan

1.- Where does Ivan work?

A) in a restaurant

B) in a shop

C) in a café

 

2.- What time does Ivan get up?

A) at  4:30 am

B) at 5:30 am

C) at 6:30 am

 

3.- Ivan doesn’t work on...

A) Mondays.

B) Saturdays.

C) Sundays.

 

4.- What time does Ivan start work?

A) at 5:30 am

B) at 9:00 am

C) at 2:00 pm

 

5.- Ivan likes ________________ at the café.

A) the breakfasts

B) the sandwiches

C) the breakfasts and the sandwiches

6.- Rex goes to the café at 5:30 am because he...

A) always starts work at 6:00 am.

B) often finishes work in the morning.

C) works in the café.

GODFREY, Rachel (2014) Reading in 6C in Skills for Writing in Empower Starter Workbook A1. Cambridge University Press: UK. Page 37. 

Travel today

 Travel today

Four travel bloggers give their opinion on the purpose of travel in the 21st century.

A.- Arrival at a destination is often thought to be the prime purpose of travel these days. Taken in this way the journey itself is not the point, rather it is serious business of transporting our bodies form one place to another. Getting to the end location as quickly as possible is the requirement and nowadays this is possible almost instantaneously.

The modern method of travel seals us into tubes called aeroplanes as they charge through the sky at such speeds that we can hardly have any notion of the glorious planet we pass across. We want to get somewhere new and different as quickly as possible, and this is ironic as the very thing that enables us to get there quicker is also what makes all the “theres” so similar. Globalisation through airpower means stepping into the plane and swapping one city for another as though by some magic trick.

B.- It is only since flying became the most popular means of long-distance travel for both leisure and business purposes that journeys have ceased to be of intrinsic interest to the majority of those travelling. In the past, when our only travel choices for such journeys were rail, sea or road, journeys themselves had to be taken account of. A journey that might have taken several days passing through different landscapes and climate zones, can now be completed in a few hours. Our please of arrival will, in many instances, be identical to our place of departure. This change has intellectual as well as practical implications. While we no longer need to worry about food, accommodations or changes of clothing during today’s journeys, we are no longer in a position of enjoying the geographical and cultural differences between the places we through on our journeys. This is a serious loss.

C.- There are those for whom travel is an end itself, a minority in my opinion, who enjoy the journey to their destination more than their arrival. These might deliberately choose a sea voyage lasting two weeks in preference to a long – haul flight. In my view, these travellers belong to a generation of romantics from a bygone age. Sadly, the many cultural differences that once characterized our world and made It a fascinating place to travel through have now all but disappeared. Why would a serious traveller choose to spend more of his or her time and probably money than is necessary simply to get from A to B? Whether one is going on an exotic holiday or an important business trip, the less time spent travelling the better for most modern travellers especially as this means more time is spent at the chose destination.

D.- Those who travel through multiple time zones at high speed but do not realise that is the journey, rather than the destination that matters miss the opportunity to experience something very important. By stopping focusing on arriving, and by travelling long enough to feel the passage of time, we can come to realise that what really matters in travel is the same for life in general. That bubble all around us, that threatens always to trap us in the same frustration – coma we feel at home, can and must be resisted. Travel can and must become a joy in itself and then the broken down buses, the flies and the baking heat will not bother us. The evidence that is possible is out there to see. Great travel books and writing are never just about the destination, they are about the changes the act of travelling bring about during a journey.

New law to protect children from paparazzi

 New law to protect children from paparazzi

Paparazzi who harass the children of public (0) B FIGURES will face stiffer penalties under new legislation in California. The law signed by state governor Jerry Brown, increases (1,1)________ for actions that include taking photographs or videos of a child consent. Media organisations had opposed the move, which increases penalties for harassing children because of their parents’ job, on the (1.2)_________ that it could restrict legitimate newsgathering activities. Those caught (1.3)________ the restrictions now (1.4)________ a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. The bill was given a boost when Hollywood actor Halle Berry gave it her (1.5)________ she said her daughter had been (1.6)________ by aggressive photographers who followed them daily, often shouting as they (1.7)________ images of the star and her family. Welcoming the legislation, she said: ‘I started this fight with a great deal of hope and a bit of uncertainty so I am very (1.8)________ to Governor Brown for recognizing the plight of children who are tormented because of their parents’ identity.’

The oldest university in the world

 Part 4.- Questions 19-24

 

Read the text ‘The oldest university in the world’ and choose the correct option to fill in the gaps with the missing word.

 

The oldest university in the world 

Some people say University of Al Quaraouiyine in Morocco is the world's oldest university because there has been a school in the same place (19)________ the year 859 AD. In other words, there has been one there (20)________ almost 1,100 years. The University has had many famous international students (21)________ the years including the great traveller, Ibn Khadun. The University was started by a woman, Fatima al-Fihri and (22)________ a long history of teaching women and activities for women’s education. Lecturer Hisham Mahmoud believes this helps female students concentrate during their studies. Before joining Al Quaraouiyine, Dr Mahmoud was a scientist, but he decided to (23)________ his career and work in education. The University’s students all do well. After finishing at the University, many students will continue their (24)________ at universities in America and Europe.

 

19.- A) since       B) between        C) after

20.- A) since       B) during            C) for

21.- A) under      B) over               C) until

22.- A) has          B) makes            C) goes

23.- A) give         B) change           C) take

24.- A) marks      B) studies           C) information

 

University of Cambridge (2019) The oldest university in the world in Exam Practice Test 2: Reading and Writing Part 4 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2^nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Page 55.

Red Pandas

Reading and Writing Part 4: Questions 19-24

 

Fill in the gaps choosing the correct option.

 

Red pandas

Red pandas live in Nepal, Northern Myanmar, India and Bhutan, as (19)__________ as in China. They (20)__________ a lot of their time in trees and are very (21)__________ at climbing. They are more active during the night than the day, and they usually (22)__________ for food in the evening and early in the morning. Their favourite food is bamboo. In fact, a female red panda can eat 20,000 bamboo leaves in a day! But hey also eat fruit, grass, eggs, insects and (23)__________ small birds and animals. Scientists believe that the number of red pandas in the world is (24)__________ because the forests where they live are getting smaller. But much is being done in countries around the world to help this amazing animal.

 

29.- A) soon             B) much               C) well

30.- A) spend             B) live                 C) take

31.- A) nice                 B) great              C) good

32.- A) look                B) see                  C) find

33.- A) even                B) quite               C) still

34.- A) little                B) low                  C) short

 

University of Cambridge (2019) Exam Practice Test 1: Reading and Writing Part 4 in A2 Key for Schools Trainer. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press: UK. Page 21. 

Something about Kevin's life

Something about Kevin's life

Kevin, who (28)_____ got blond hair, is interested (29)_____ sports because he is good (30)____ rugby. His training sessions begin (31)____ four o’clock every afternoon. However, he is terrible (32)____ school and he (33)______ maths because they are so complicated for him. What about you? What sport do you (34)______ practising?

Written by Teacher Elmer Santana for KET, the 7th of March 2023

Would you like to become an astronaut?

 Would you like to be an astronaut? 

You don’t have to be Superman to fly in space. Many men and women from different countries have done it. For example, the European Space Agency (ESA) now has 14 astronauts from 8 different countries.

 

The first thing is this – you need to be sure it’s the job that you really want to do. It requires a lot of hard work and several years of study at university before astronaut training even begins. Most people start this between 27 and 37 years of age. Many astronauts also train to become pilots first.

 

Astronauts come from all over Europe and the world, and it’s important that they can speak the same languages. They have to speak English, and they are given Russian lessons. Some also learn another language, for example Japanese, as a number of astronauts are Japanese speakers.

 

If you are still at school and you’d like to be an astronaut when you’re older, it’s not too early to start developing the skills you will need. Playing video games is a great thing to do, as it helps you to think quickly and clearly. This is what you will need to do when you travel in space.

 

Another good thing to do is sports, especially team sports. They make you fit, of course, but more importantly, they help you learn how to do things together with your colleagues. So, maybe planning a game of football for next weekend isn’t a bad idea?

 

Three teenagers describe their hobbies

 Three teenagers describe their hobbies

 

Melissa, runner

I started running about a year ago. At first. I just ran 1 or 2 kilometres, but I now do about 10. My speed is improving too. I’ve joined a running club in the town centre. I didn’t know any of the members before, but now most of them are my mates. My dad was a keen runner when he was younger – he was really fit, but he stopped when hurt his leg. Actually, I need to order some new running shoes – just a simple pair. I don’t think the expensive ones make you run faster!

 

Sharon, skateboarder

I go skateboarding most evenings in the park. I suppose that’s quite a lot, but the park is only a minute or two from our apartment, and I only stay there half an hour or so. Although I stay longer when my friends are there. Sometimes my cousin’s there too. He’s a beginner, and I’m teaching him a few moves. He’s starting to get really good!

 

Latifa, rock climber

 

Two of my best friends suggested I should start rock climbing, so now the three of us do it together. The mother of one of them takes us once or twice a month, but I’d like to do it every week. When I started, I didn’t know you need to get so much stuff – and it isn’t exactly cheap! I really love it. I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of climbing!

Saint Lucia's Day

 Saint Lucia’s Day

Image Source

The festival of light celebrated on December 13, signaling the arrival of Christmas is a major Christmas feast day holding in itself the history of a saint. The festival witnesses varied activities, including singing of songs and dressing up of girls as Saint Lucia carrying and bringing in lights which tend to symbolize the end of darkness and a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel.

Location: Sweden, Norway
Date: December 13, 2022

Source: https://traveltriangle.com/blog/festivals-in-norway/