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UFCD 6660: Conhecer os problemas do mundo atual
Técnico/a de Logística / 1A13410291901

UFCD 6660: Conhecer os problemas do mundo atual

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Global issues – motivational activity

1. Watch the following video and comment on it as far as global issues are concerned.

2. If possible, list some global issues you are able to identify on this short video.

«Global Issues»

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcFvT4GRpZQ

Notes:

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Global issues – recycling

1. Warm up – work with your partner.

a) What three things can ordinary people do to help the environment?

2. Reading

a) Read the texts below. Who do you think cares the most/least about
the environment? Comment that with your partner.

I think everyone can do something to help the

environment.

I’ve replaced all the bulbs in my house with a

more environmentally-friendly type. It was a
really easy way to make a difference!

The other benefit is that my electricity bill is

lower than before.

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 I get really annoyed by people telling
me to help improve the environment.

In my neighbourhood, there are so

many laws about recycling rubbish! I
don’t have time to separate rubbish
or recycle bottles and cans.

I think people should be free to live

how they like!

Billy

Last year, I got rid of my car. If everyone did

that, our towns would be so much cleaner!

I live in a small town, and I now cycle to work

each day. It’s not so good in winter, but I really
don’t regret the change. My health has really
improved too!

Henry
3. Vocabulary Building

a) Match the two halves of the collocations.

1) environmentally rubbish
2) to make friendly
3) an electricity rid of something
4) to separate bill
5) to get a difference

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 a) Rewrite the sentences using the language from exercise 3 a).

i) In some countries, you have to .

You can’t just throw it all together.
ii) Helen her old car, and replaced it with a
hybrid model.
iii) Driving is not a very way to travel.
iv) Unplugging your TV and computer at night can
to the environment.
v) Tom never turns the heating off. His
is really high!

2. About you.

a) Fill in the boxes below. Compare your answer with your partner.

Thing I do which are good for Things I do which are bad for the
environment environment

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Motivational Activity – green issues
1- Wordsearch

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 2. Make a comment on the following pictures.

Picture 1 Picture 2

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Picture 3

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 1. Make a comment on the following pictures.
Picture 1

Picture 2

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In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTW49FSgLlQ

Notes:

1. Before you read – work with your partner.

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 a) What do you do to help preserve the environment?

b) Who is the most environmentally friendly person you know? Why?

2. Vocabulary.

a) Match the word / phrase with the correct meaning.

emissions (n) reduce

catastrophic (adj) a set of agreed rules or conventions
projected (adj) gases released into the air
a protocol (n) approve
ratify (v) forecast
lessen (v) disastrous

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 3. Reading.

a) Read the following text, and fill in the spaces using a word from the box below.

Choose from: definitely; deep; melt; consumers

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 4. Comprehension Questions.
a) Answer the questions below.

i) Why are sea levels predicted to rise?

ii) What is the Kyoto Protocol?

iii) What factors contribute to a person’s carbon footprint?

1. Make a comment on these pictures.

Picture 1

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Mother nature – poem
© Edith A. Phinazee

1. Read and comment on the following poem.

Our world is always

changing, Constantly re-
arranging.
From ocean depths to
mountain peaks, Mother
Nature moves and speaks.
While telling stories of our past She tries to teach us how to last.
Mankind, so smart,
sometimes blind Leaves
common sense far
behind. We're moving
fast and living large,
Forgetting she's the
one in charge. Amazed
when she rings our bell,
Sending us through
living hell.
She can twist our steel,
shake any city, If her wrath
you feel, we shall pity.
Yet some who speak on her behalf,
I fear just seek the
golden calf. It's true,
we must treat her
right. Or we will incur
a deadly plight. Treat
her with distinction
Or surely face extinction!

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Global issues – alternative energies
0. Watch and comment on the following video.

«Alternative Energies»

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHoto5o7kAE

Notes:

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 1. Before you read – Work with your partner.

a) What is alternative energy?

b) how many different kinds of alternative energy can you name?

2. Vocabulary.

a) Match the phrase with its meaning.

barren could be successful

vast at some time in the past
renewable become popular
viable go somewhere, despite risk
take off unable to produce
venture (v) could always continue
once huge

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1. Reading.

a. Read the following text.

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3. READING COMPREHENSION - Answer the following questions.

i) How much energy do you think your country gets from alternative sources?

ii) Are there any projects in your country creating alternative energy?

iii) Describe the best place near your home where a wind farm could be placed.

iv) Are you careful about the amount of electricity you consume?
Could you do better?

B- Discuss the following.

i) What is the problem with using fossil fuels to generate electricity?

ii) Should we turn to nuclear power as the solution to our power needs?

iii) Should the government do more to deal with this issue?

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Alternative Energy” Vocabulary Quiz

Choose a suitable word / phrase from the list below. Make grammatical changes, where
necessary.

Choose from: come to an end; mixed results; implement; fossil fuels; plentiful; take off;
granted; insulate; renewable energy; viable.

a) Jackie is against burning

to make electricity.
b) Sunshine is in the Sahara.
However, regular rainfall is rare.
c) Bob thinks is better than coal-
fired power stations.
d) Some people think wind farms are not
on a large scale.
e) Tom his loft last week. He hopes his house
will be warmer in winter!
f) I hoped it would be a complete success. Instead, I had .
g) I fell asleep before the movie .
h) The Prime Minister wants to the
reforms as soon as possible,
i) Mary does all the cooking and cleaning. Her husband just taker her for
!
j) Do you think that 3-D televisions are going to ?
4. Translate the text from exercise 3.

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 4. Write the plural form of each noun.

A Wish G Wife
B Elf H Butterfly
C Family I Shelf
D Goose J Tomato
E Flash K Dress
F Box L Bench

5. change the singular form of the noun to a plural form.

a) At the farm, we counted five (pony).

b) After trick-or-treating we ate 20 (candy) each.
c) We are studying the many Ccountry) in Scial Studies.
d) The reunion will have over 15 (family) in attendance.
e) During the summer, I like to catch many (firefly).
f) I really njoy going to my friends’ birthday (party).
g) Bears like to eat (berry) before they
hibernate for the winter.
h) The (baby) were crying in their cribs.
i) Our table at the restaurant had lots of different
flavoured
(jelly).
j) When I order an ice cream sundae, I ask for three

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Global issues – internet addiction
Before you read – Work with your partner.

a) When was the last time you used the internet? What did you look up?

1. Vocabulary.

a) Match the words with its correct definition.

Tweet (v) Face-to-face

In the flesh (idiom) Standard
Endlessly (adv) Send a message using Twitter
Excessive (adj) Repeatedly
The norm (n) Switch off

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 2. Reading.

a) Read the text and fill in the gaps with a word from the list below.

Choose from: interrupted; available; problem; advance

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3. Comprehension.

4.1 Why is Chuck Harris unhappy with his life?

4.2 Why is the problem of internet addiction going to get worse?

4.3 What three practical steps can you take to reduce your internet usage?

5. Fill in the gapes using a word / phrase from exercise 5.

a) Liz has joining her family over the

summer vacation.
b) The elderly often feel . No one listens to what
they say.
c) Justin is supposed to be on a diet. However, he

d) Since he got married, Andrew has all alcohol.

e) Julia’s life seems to her job. She
never has any free time!

6. Answer to the questions related to the text.

i) Do you think there are many people who are addicted to the Internet?

i) Do you use the Internet much? In which ways is life better / worse
because of the Internet?

i) Do you think that people reveal too much personal information online?
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Global issues – consumerism

0. Watch and comment on the following video.

«Culture in Decline - Consumerism & Advertising»

In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ofI3Zz8hM

Notes:

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0. Read this newspaper article to answer the questions below.

Consumerism and Consumption in our Modern Society

The rise of consumerism in the “developed world” occurs as buying habits are
transformed, and luxuries are turned into necessities.

The idea of getting more and more helps to stir up anxieties, greediness and restlessness
over the possession of things. Fashion pressures people to buy out of need, just for style,
to be conform to what others define as fashionable. But as well as meeting consumers’
desires there is a more fundamental political and economic reason for promoting
consumerism. That is, this support for fashion is seen as very valuable because it is a
subtle form of imposing social control, as people become more individualist, turn more
inwards on themselves. People who were once concerned about social issues are now
largely transformed into exploring and fulfilling their
individual desires through the purchase of material goods.

1. Find equivalents in the text for these words/expressions.

a) growth
b) cause an unpleasant sensation
c) wanting a lot more than you need
d) feeling unable to be calm
e) in popular and modern style
f) matching
g) satisfying
h) buying

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 0. Answer these questions.

1. What exactly makes consumers buy things?

2. Why is it dangerous to promote individualism?

4. Look at this advertisement and comment on the following statement.

Living in a consumer society has profound

implications on how we behave and relate to others.

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 4. The words in the boxes form a quotation by Ghandi. Look at the pictures and
try to write it in the correct order.

Quotation:

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 4. Writing.

a) Choose one of the following topics and write about 80-100 words on it.

1. Fast food in US schools.

(Refer to the advantages and disadvantages of fast food.
Say whether you agree with the fact that fast food companies give money to
schools to advertise fast food there.)

2. Are you a shopaholic?

(Refer to the way you deal with your money, who you get your money from,
your shopping habits, shops you prefer, items on which you spend most of your
money... )

3. Comment on the following: “If you want to feel rich, just count the things
you have that money can’t buy”.
Say whether you agree with the message conveyed. Explain the message.
Refer to the difficulties in following this advice in modern societies.
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Global issues – unhealthy eating

1. Before you read – Work with your partner.

a) Do you exercise every day?

b) What is your favourite sport?

c) How important is physical activity to you?

d) Why is nutrition related to physical activity?

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 1. Reading.

a) Read the following text carefully.

Chronic diseases account for 7 of every 10 US deaths and for more than 60%
of medical care expenditures.
Much of the chronic disease burden is preventable. Physical inactivity and
unhealthy eating contribute to obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and
diabetes. Together, they are responsible for at least 300,000 deaths each year.
Only tobacco use causes more preventable deaths in the United States.
Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart
disease, the nation’s leading cause of death, and decreases the risk for many
diseases and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight; contributes to
healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial; people of all
ages benefit from moderate physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk
walking five or more times a week.
Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 60% of American
adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. More than
25% are not active at all in their leisure time.
But, insufficient physical activity is not limited to adults. More than a third of
young people in grades 9-12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical
activity.

The Critical Role of Healthy Eating

We now know that good nutrition lowers the risk for many chronic diseases.
Americans are slowly adopting healthier diets, but a large gap remains
between recommended dietary patterns and what Americans actually eat.
Poor eating habits are often established during childhood. More than 60% of
young people eat too much fat, and less than 20% eat the recommended five
or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

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 In http://www.cdc.gov/nccdhp/aag/aag-dmpa.htm

Vocabulary:

a) expenditure: the total amount of money that someone spends during a particular
period of time.

b) burden: something difficult or worrying that you are responsible for.

2. Reading comprehension.

a) Are these statements True or False? Correct the false ones and quote
statements from the text to prove the true ones.
1) Chronic diseases prevent the quality of life.
2) Most of death problems can be avoided.
3) Physicalactivity contributes to heart attacks.
4) Physical exercise should be done by everyone.
5) Young people generally have a poor diet.

b) Answer the following questions according to the text.

1) Physical activity and good nutrition are the basis of a good health. Explain
this statement.

2) Why is it so beneficial to do physical exercise?

3) Why is much of the chronic disease burden preventable?

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 4) What percentage of the American grown-up population doesn’t exercise sufficiently?

5) When do most unsatisfactory eating habits usually begin?

a) Match the words on the left with the right equivalent or explanation
on the right.

1) disease  …… a) big difference

2) inactivity  …… b) keep interest
3) reduces  …… c) using a lot of energy and determination
4) strenuous  …… d) illness
5) engage  …… e) makes smaller
6) vigorous  …… f) needing great effort
7) gap  …… g) the fact that someone is not doing anything
8) servings  …… h) an amount of food that is enough for one person
The Present Continuous
➢ O Present Continuous forma-se assim:

To be (am /are / is) + main verb + -ing

➢ Constrói-se com uma forma do presente do verbo To Be (am / are / is)

com a forma -ing do verbo principal. (Junta-se –ing ao infinitivo do verbo.)
o E.g.:
➢ I am travelling.
➢ I am eating.
➢ Utiliza-se sempre que se pretende exprimir uma acção que se está a
realizar num determinado momento e que ainda não terminou.
➢ Essa ideia é, muitas vezes, reforçada por advérbios de tempo tais como:
o At the moment (neste momento)
o Now (agora)
o Still (ainda)

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 o E.g.:
➢ At the moment he is talking on the phone.
➢ Now, she is calling Anna.
➢ He is still taking a shower.

➢ Também se usa quando queremos contar o que planeámos para o futuro.

o E.g.:
▪ On Saturday evening I’m visiting my parents.
▪ Next week I’m travelling to Scotland.
▪ Tomorrow I’m taking a plane to Canada.
➢ (Em Português a forma correspondente é: estar + preposição “a” +

infinitivo + verbo principal).

Exercises with the Present Continuous

Am / is / are + verb + -ing form

❖ Fill in the blanks with the right form of the Present Continuous.

1. They are having (to have) dinner.

2. He (to stand) there.
3. She (not / to sing).
4. They (not / to eat).
5. Alice (to watch) TV.
6. What (to do /you) now?
7. Why (they / not/ to drink) water?
8. (he / to make) the bed?
9. (you / to finish) your homework?
10. Jean (not / to speak) to them.
11. We (not / to swim).
12. She (to buy) a record.
13. It (to rain) again.
14. (they / not / to travel) to Italy?
15. We (to learn) English now.

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 ❖ Put the verb into the correct form – Present Simple or Present
Continuous.

1. He (to know) all aboutWales.

2. Jane (to talk) to a friend at the moment.
3. She (not / to work) on Sundays.
4. Margaret (to love) music and dancing.
5. The dog (to sleep) under the table at the moment.
6. He (not / to like) foreign countries.
7. (they / to go) to the pub every
evening?
8. Good students (always / to study) hard.
9. (she/ to see) her friends every
week?
10. My father (to do) the cooking at the weekend.
11. People (to say) Edinburgh is a beautiful city.
12. Miriam (still / to decorate) the Christmas tree.
13. They (to stay) at the Plaza Hotel at present.
14. The concert (to finish) at 12.
15. We (to visit) the Smiths today in London.

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The future in English

➢ Read the following information very carefully.

We’ve got four ways to express the Future:

❖ The Simple Future
❖ The Going To Future
❖ The Present Continuous
❖ The Simple Present

➢ The Simple Future: Will + infinitive

❖ Expressing prediction:

E.g. The Homeless will have more shelters soon.

➢ The Going To Future: am / are/ is + going to + Infinitive

➢ Expressing an intention to really do something:

E.g. That homeless man is going to eat at the shelter tonight.

➢ To predict a future happening:

E.g. Look at that poor woman. She’s going to die on the streets, homeless.

➢ The Present Continuous:

➢
❖ To describe plans and arrangements which are definite:
❖
E.g. Christine is eating at the shelter tomorrow.

Note: The time should be mentioned – tomorrow, next week, next month, on
Friday – to avoid confusion between the Present and the Future.

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Going to Future

Uso

Be going to é uma estrutura que pode ser usada para falarmos de planos futuros de
forma informal. Going to enfatiza a ideia de intenção, de uma decisão que já foi tomada.

Ex.: Mark is going to cross Ireland.

His friends are going to help him.
Um outro uso do going to é o de predizer o futuro devido a um indício presente.

Ex.: Look at the sky! It's going to rain.

They drive dangerously. They are going to crash.

Forma

Esta forma de futuro é um tempo verbal composto, formado pelo verbo to be no presente
simples (am, is, are) e going to, ao que adicionamos a forma natural do verbo que
desejamos colocar no futuro.

Ex.: I am going to travel to Europe next year.

I am going to write a novel.

Forma Interrogativa

Basta colocarmos o verbo to be antes do sujeito.

Ex.: Is he going to be here today?

Forma Negativa

Coloca-se o "not" entre o verbo to be e o "going to":

Ex.: Paul is not going to marry her because of the baby.

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 What are, then, the main differences between “Will-future” and “going to-
future”?
Will- Future Going To- Future
"Will" quando usado para falar de algo no Use GOINGTO:
futuro geralmente vem acompanhado de * para falar sobre uma ação, facto ou
expressões que indicam incerteza. Como situação previamente planeada;
assim!? Veja as expressões abaixo: * para expressar uma ação que
• I think... (Eu acho que...) acontecerá num futuro imediato ou certo;
• Probably, ... (Provavelmente, ...) * para dar um aviso a alguém sobre uma
• I guess... (Eu acho...) situação perigosa.
• I'm not sure, but I think... (Não Exemplos:
tenho certeza, mas acho que...) 1. I am feeling horrible. I’m going to
• I don't know, but I think... (Não get sick.
sei não, mas acho que...) 2. Now that I have all the money, I’m
• Maybe... (Talvez...) going to buy a new car.
3. Where are you going? I’m going to
fetch some coffee.

Como as expressões de incerteza estão Agora caso esteja certo do que vai fazer, não
presentes nas sentenças a palavra que indica lhe resta dúvidas sobre o que fará no futuro,
o futuro a ser usada é "will". Assim sendo já está decidido e praticamente acertado,
teremos: então o que deverá dizer é:
• I will probably go to Salvador in • I'm going to Salvador this year.
December. • I'm not going to the party next
• I don't know! But I think I will not Saturday.
go to the party next Saturday. • We're not going to be here
tomorrow.
• Maybe we Will not be here
tomorrow.

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Exercises with the Simple Present and the Simple Future

▪ Put the verb into either the present simple or the simple future tense:

1. I’ll call you when I (arrive) at my hotel.

2. He (text) you as soon as he’s on the bus.
3. Let’s eat dinner when John (get) here.
4. Julie (be) late tomorrow evening, so I’ve booked a table at a restaurant for 10
p.m.
5. As soon as I (be) able to, I’m going to get a new job.
6. Please wait here until the nurse (call) you.
7. I (get) up early tomorrow morning and finish the report then.
8. Before you (leave), please make sure you’ve locked the door.

1. She (let) us know later, when she’s ready to leave.

2. I must clean the kitchen before my mother (get) here.
3. I (come) to meet you at the station next weekend.
4. I (wait) until you’re finished – then we can go.
5. John will study until he (know) all the answers.
6. She thinks that it (rain) next weekend.
7. What do you want to do after the class (finish)?
8. I think that the Democrats (win) the next election.
9. Jenny will come here after she (finish) work.
10. She’s going to look for a job as soon as she (arrive) in London.
11. I (give) up smoking!
12. She (send) me an email before she leaves the office later today.

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 The Simple Past - rules

➢ Study the following verbs in the Simple Past.

Simple Past of the verb TO BE

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

I was I was not (wasn’t) Was I…? You

were You were not (weren’t) Were you…?
He / he / It was He / she / It was not (wasn’t) Was he / she / it…?
We / you / they were We / You / They were not (weren’t) Were we / you /
they…?

TRADUÇÃO: I was – eu era, estava, eu fui, estive; you were – tu eras, foste, estavas,
estiveste; he was – ele era, foi, estava, esteve; we were – nós éramos, fomos, estivemos;
you were – vós éreis, fostes; they were – eles (elas) eram, estavam, foram, estiveram.

Simple Past of the verb TO HAVE

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

Had I / you / he /
I had I had not (hadn’t)
she / it / we / you
You had You had not (hadn’t)
/ they...?
He / he / It had He / she / It had not (hadn’t)
We / you / they had We / You / They had not (hadn’t)

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 TRADUÇÃO: I had – eu tinha, tive; you had – tu tinhas, tiveste; he had – ele tinha,
teve, etc.

Simple Past of the verb TO DO

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE

I did I did not (didn’t)

Did I / you / he
You did You did not (didn’t)
/ she / it / we /
He / he / It did He / she / It did not (didn’t) you / they...?
We / you / they did We / You / They did not (didn’t)

TRADUÇÃO: I did – eu fiz, fazia, etc.

E como se forma o passado dos verbos regulares?

➢ Com os verbos regulares é bastante mais fácil! Acrescenta-se –ed ao infinitivo do verbo.
o E.g. Help---» helped; like ---»liked; watch---»watched.

➢ No caso de verbos como like, que já terminam em –e, não vamos acrescentar –ed, mas
sim –d, para evitar duas vogais seguidas!

The Simple Past – exercises

1. Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past).

a) Last year I (spend) my holiday in Ireland.

b) It (be) great.

c) I (travel) around by car with two friends and we (visit) lots

of interesting places.

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