Explore a travel blog © arobot hotel your own humorous: © non-fiction travel image of an animal waiting styles todecide ona dream destination to discuss appropriate ideas for a travel blog “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” St Augustine “journey of a thousand rmiles must begin with a single step. Lao Ta Engage © with juxtaposition and oxymorons (0 with ways to create a humorous tone in a piece of writing on :he effectiveness of carefully chosen adjectives to create @ desired effect onthe use of hyperbole for effect One's destination is never a place, but a new vay of seeing things.” Heney MilleroO Thinking time The numberof people who fw on scheduled aitine fights in 2014 wassohly under tvee billions estimate that over 10,000 people iy every doy. 1. How many ofthe conic structures inthe frstimage can you name? 2 What kindof company would use an image like this one to promote it business 3. What do you think the third quotation means? 4 Doyou think the journey othe destinations the most important part of traveling? 8 Speaking and listening - Dream destination game Ti te ge fo pra ur flo rsp ube ome wih pr ci of eaten 1. Each member fthe group writes down the name of a place they would love to vst one day and five reasons for thelr choice 2. Takingitin tums each member presents their argument by describing thelr dream destination and explaining wy they have chosen above allothers. 23. While this happenin, the other memibers ofthe group shouldbe assessing the performance by giving it marks ‘out offvein each ofthese categories: 1 Does the destination sound appealing? Would you ke to go there? How persuasive ste argument presented? 4. The winners the one who gains the highest mark out of feen once al the group members have presentedGere Robot hotel Robot hotel: Inside Japan's Henn-na Hotel by Danielle Demetriou 1am sipping tea in a minimalist Japanese hotel room while chatting to my personal concierge. She adjusts the lighting, cheeks the room temperature setgan alarm eall and chirpily informs me that tomorrow's weather will be alitde cloudy, 5 This may sound like unremarkable hotel small talk, yet 1am transfied by every word, This is because the “concierge” smicro-managing my stay is nota human being. She isa robot. More precisely, she is Churi-chan, a pint-sized pink and green cartoon-like character with three hearts on her forehead and 10 permanent smile who sits on my bedside table and tries very hard to be helpful. Churi-chan is one of a number of surreal creatures I encounter during my stay at Henn-na Hotel, the ‘world’ first robot hotel which opens tomorrow in Japan's southern Nagasaki Prefecture, 15 From check-in staff and porters to cloakroom and concierge, human jobs have been usurped by an ecleetie cavalcade of robots at Henna-na Hotel, whose name aptly translates as “strange” (although staff prefer the word “evolve”). The bleeping, fashing and perma-smiling robots assume a variety animated 20 of forms ~ among them, a long-haired lady humanoid, a head nodding dinosaur anda luggage-toting mechanical limb. Novo | “ontemPo"=r forget Churi-chan, one of which sits in each ofthe 72 rooms~ | lectie ‘ the doors of which, incidentally, open with just a glance, rather | rie than a tiresome key, using facial recognition technology. ‘minimalist 25 Behind the scenes are 10 human staff dressed like stagehands in |_surveal top-to-toe black, who survey the hotel through security cameras and are quick to help with techno blips. Among them is Iwazume Takeru, the quietly spoken hotel manager, who swapped the ‘more conventional Sheraton in Kobe city for his new role, 30 “Twas happy to come here, isan exciting hotel," he enthuses, as we take stroll through Truman Show-perfect gardens. “I've always been interested in robots, they are the future.” aHei ee lll AL Inside the lobby — an airy modern space with a vat Japanese ikebana flower display in the middle ~ a colourful east of 35 robots can be found, First see a large white mechanical “cloakroom” arm encased in a glass cube which dramatically retrieves suitcases and places them inside lockers. Next, I spot a bowing humanoid “lady” called Yameko (“Dream Jong dark hair, animated eyebrows and a slightly eerie smile 40. who welcomes me in Japanese atthe front desk. The English- speaking dinosaur sitting next to her, complete with a bow tie, tigerlike fur and a constantly bobbing head, then informs me with authority: *IFyou want to check in, push one!” I proceed to check in, pressing buttons to confirm my identity, 5 before making payment on a touch screen and having my face scanned for room access. [am then instructed to follow my robot “porter” ~a mechanical hip-high device carrying my suitease tht rolls sails pace upslopes andalongeornidors, | GlOSS@ry playing loud disco music and wling me offwhenIstop walking | personal concierge 0 ina sight ine. When we finaly reach room 209, stare at private receptionist the face scanner ~ before being firmly rejected. Ie takes two more goes before I yet the hang oft (Ihave to stand closer, it transpires) and the door finally opens. ‘micro-managing ‘managing the smallest details Inside, the design in the rooms ~as throughout the hotel ~is surprisingly tasteful, in Muji store kind of way: contemporary ‘minimal Japanese, with expanses of natural woods, simple neutral furnishings and walls of windows. usurped by an eclectic Agninst sucha backrop, Chari-chan is impossible to miss the ‘cavalcade of robots small caroon-lke robot inspited apparendly by apinkclip sits on | teplaced bya varied 0. the hedside table awaiting instractons from guests.) Procession of efferent Nagasaki Prefecture district of Nagasaki From Robot Bote: inide Japan Henn-na Hotel, ‘wwwtelegraph.co.uk permanently happy ‘Muji store a chain of Japanese department stores=x Understanding Henn-na Hotel in Japan is the world’ first hotel staffed mainly by robes. 4, In which city is the Henn-na Hotel situated? 2. How many humans work at the hotel? 13. Why doesn’t the hotel use ‘tiresome’ conventional keys to unlock the guestrooms? ‘4. What evidence supports the view that the writer Tikes the hotel? '5. Doyou agree with the hotel manager that robors"are the ure’? 66. Ifyou were the designer, what aspect of the hotel would you change? Word builder - setting the tone ‘The Henn-na Hotel is hoping to attract guests who like science fietion, and specifically robots, so it aims to be different, futuristic and full of technology. The words in the Word cloud are careflly chosen adjectives that together help to describe the ‘mood within the hotel 11, Given the aim ofthe hotel, which of the phrases in each string best suggest the tone created by the lead adjective? “The first one is completed for you as an example. 4g, animated = passive and motionless / active and vigorous / Aull and eles “The correct answer is ‘ative and vigorous! because ‘animated! refers tothe robots that reed to be moving with energy to do ‘heic tasks and impress the gusts {contemporary = modern and new / oki-fashioned and sophisticated / outdated and obsolete 'b eclectic = uniform and predictable / varied and ranging in style / similar and bland € eerie = comforting and calming / bright and cheerful / strange and slighty unsettling 4 minimalist» cluttered and homely / essential and what is requited / ornate and lavish «¢- sureal = ordinary and dull / out ofthe ordinary and fantastic / real and expectedph wciais 2. Now itis your tur to create three adjectives to set the mood for these buildings © A deserted office block A busy department store € Asupermarket Using adjectives for effect Carefilly chosen adjectives can help the writer to crete the atmosphere within apiece of writing 1. Read the following passage “he cavernous room dvarfed the erie rescuer, Unused 36 he vas tothe echoing chamber ofthe supposedly deserted bulding, ah clatering footstep and ektering rat led his beat wit dread forebodings of his imminent destruction. with his hands shaking with uncontelled fear, is brow seating profusely and his teh chattering in the intense cold he reluctantly conte ahs rites search 2. ‘The adjectives used in this passage raise a lot of questions for the reader. 4g, The une of cavernous to describe the sizeof the com sugget itis very big, s the questions asked are: Wy is it suc big oom? what tind of room is? what is ts purpose? Make als ofthe other ajcivs inthe psig peel ata 1 Dra ur text bose (or bubble) and plac one of ra teen theadjcdvaincach Tile romani mace inench | ianinage toi box bubble wih he quedons the ene would wane | epaenoasethe reader a peers Choose de of your own adjectives to dere the oes Sonam sap gig ‘brandon tneeaal paragraph of the’Robot Hotel extract isa good example of this useful technique fora writer. 3. Now itis your turn. Write a shore paragraph in the style of the one above where your use of adjectives creates questions in the mind of the readera... 10 1s 20 2s Writing to entertain Our Friend the Moose Bil Bryson relates the ‘acs of tb endangered mone in North Amerie {Goodness knows why anyone would want to shoot an animal as harmless and retiring as the moose, but thousands do ~ so many, in fact, chat states now hold loteiesw decide who gets a icence.(.) Hunters will tl you that a moos sa wily and ferocious forest xeaare Infact, moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old. That’ all there isto it. Without dubs, the moose is the most improbable, tendearingly hopeles creature ever to liven the wilds Tes huge ~ as big asa horse ~ but magnificently ungainly. A moose runs as if ieslegs have never been introduced to each other. Even tsanters | adversaries are hopeless Other creatures grow anders with sharp poinssthat | poundless look wondesfal in profile and command the respect of adversaries. | Ch cioxs Moose grow antlers tht look like oven gloves [Above ll what distinguishes the moose is its almost boundless Jack of intelligence. you are diving down a highway and a moose steps from the woods ahead of you, he will squint at you fora Tong minute, then abruptly hie off down the road away ftom you, | inadvertently legs failing in eight directions at once, Never mind that there are | perplexed pethaps 10,000 square miles of safe, dense forest on either side of the highway. Clueless as to where he sand what exactly is going on, the moose doggedly follows the highway (.) before his peculiar gait inadvertently steers him back ino the woods, where Feimmediately siopeand takes ona perplexed expression that sys, | Glossary "ley — woods. Now how (..) did I get here?” ee From Notes rom A Big Counry by Bill Bryson improbable ungainly drawn by athree-year- oldbacly drawn ‘endearingly hopeless Understanding lovable but without hope Travel writers often presenta mixture of facts and personal perspective in their work. legs failing in eight directions with an 1. Where does the moose live? Uncontrolled running 2. How do you know hunting moose isa popular pastime? action 3. Why do the hunters describe the moose as clever and fierce? | doggedly follows the 'b, How effective is the use of humour in the pasage? highway stubbornly ‘moves along the roadpeut te... saunas Developing your language - creating an image A suocessil writer will use a series of ideas to build an image for the reader. ‘One ofthe ways Bill Bryson builds his image ofthe moose as 4 charming but stupid animals by using humour to make the creature seem comic “a moose isa cow dravn by a three-year-old’ — the image makes the shape ofthe animal scem simple and childish “A moose runs as its legs have never been introduced to each other! ~-makes the moose seem uncoordinated and clumsy ‘he will squine at you for along minute’ ~ makes the moose sound dim-witted because it takes @ long time to understand whats happening ‘What image does each ofthese statements suggest? ‘legs ailing in eight directions at once’ ‘Moose grow antlers that look lke oven gloves. “his peculiar gait inadvertemly steers im back nto the woos? “Hey — woods. Now how (.) did get here?” Word builder Look atthe six adjectives listed in the Word cloud. They are all, used to deseribe the moose in a way that is uncomplimentary and comical 1 Match the adjective from the Word cloud to the explanation of the effect to build a more detailed unflattering image of the moose as interpreted by the author. boundless: itis shy and avoids human contact clueless» its lack of intelligence has no limits improbable” itis easily confused perplexed’ itis clumsy and uncoordinated retising iis difficult wo believe an animal like this exits ‘ungainly thas no idea what itis doing 2, a How much lke areal moose is Bryson’s comic deseription? bf the moose could tall what might it say about its life?x be in ee al Using juxtaposition A justapasition is when two ideas or concepts are placed next 0 each other to create a contrast or comparison, Bil Bryson creates his comical image ofthe moose using a series cofimages tha are justapsed “Yes wil tell you that moose i awl and ferocious forest crtaure. hn fc, 2 moos it cow drawn by 2 three-year-old 1. Copy and complete the following abl to map the use of justaposition. [What the ‘Meaning |How the author |Meaning hunters claim interprets it wily and ‘cow drawn by |pasive and ferocious three-year-old | to comical 0 be dangerous ieishuge—as | Irispowerful but magnifcenty big asahorse | and gn | ungainly (Other creatures They loak sft grow antlers with] and fluffy and} sharp points my =) Bee creer & $ Choose an animal from thelist below: Ostrich Polarbear Giraffe Panda Koala Chicken Sheep Sloth Porcupine Orang-utan ‘a. Make alist ofthe main features of your chosen animal, both in terms ofits physical appearance and personality tb You are aiming for a comic image so write down an alternative interpretation for each feature in your list. ‘¢ Once you are satisfied, write a blog entry about meeting your chosen animal ‘4 Use your blog entry to play the‘30 Seconds’ game. “The aim of the game isto read out your description ‘without mentioning what animal you've chosen. Your audience must try to guess the name ofthe animal within 30 seconds of you starting your description.Keil Using oxymorons An exymoron isa specific kind of juxtaposition, being a combination of words that appear to contradict each other bbut, when used together, create an image offering a different meaning. Bill Bryson uses an oxymoron to ereate contrast asthe moose is described as: ‘endearingly hopeless ‘He uses ‘endearingly’ to suggest the moose isan animal that people fee! affection for but he contrasts this with the idea oft being ‘hopeless’, suggesting how pathetic it is. ‘Normally, you wouldn't be so fond of something that is so useless but Bryson suggests ths is one of the reasons why a ‘moose isso likeable. 11, Another oxymoron used is ‘magnificently ungainly’ Explain the meaning ofthis phrase and how it works as an oxymoron. 2. Using oxymorons is common among writers, Here are three examples from Shakespeare: 2 ‘Obnraling ive!” ‘O loving bate!” © ‘Sweet sorrow" Explain why each of these is an oxymoron. Hint: Brrwling is ‘anather word for fighting. 3. Here are some more examples of oxymorons. What effect does each one create? thera ena Stein aes eae Saees original copy §® Looking closely 4 You can mate up some of your own armorns- Aim frst Garni rem tuo Grek test tien words meaning shar and J think of an emocon and adden opposite tise clearly. Mul whichis Wal an example caked cpus —_ || ees Courtesy call acon lunatic dishevelled mortified eternity penitentiary Glossary courtesy calla phone callbyacompany to heck serdce hasbeen provided appropriately family slctorowyer representing the aily Form high-speed Tacingcstegory tastebuds a group of cel onthetongueandin the mouth that deni tste haul (your company) over the coals severely Understanding Courtesy calls are usually made in order to gauge customer satisfaction, with ite expectation that there will bea problem, 1. What isthe name of the travel company? 2. Why might Ling have been unsettled by the way the conversation developed? 3. What is your impression of the customer from the way she responds during the call? 44. Does the customer’ use of exaggeration support her ‘grievances or detract from them? ey Dee eres caesar call differently and would it have been appropriate to do so? Word builder - hyperbole Hyperbole uses exaggeration to emphasise @ point. Fach word in the cloud isan example of hyperbole. ‘When she claims that the eight-hour flight rook an ‘aeon’ to complete, the customer doesn't really mean it lasted for an indefinite amount of time but that i seemed to last forever. 1, How are‘acon’ and ‘eternity similar in the effect their usage '2. When she claims the driver looked ‘dsbevlled like a tramp" what does she really mean?ek sviitcg a fe te lel '3. What image does the use of Tunatic suggest when she describes the driver’ performance? 4. What do you think the customer means by ‘mortified’? rigid with fear / embarrassed and humiliated / feeling sick '5. What does describing a hotel asa ‘penitentiary’ suggest about its treatment of guest? 6. Does the use of hyperbole paint an effective picture of hhow terrible the holiday was or does it say more about the ceustomer attitude? Developing your language - using modal verbs “Modal verbs can be used to indicate if something is possible, probable or certain. They can also be used to make requests and sive permission, ‘The most common modal verbs are ‘ can could may might shall should will would In tes call’ the travel agent begins with a polite request: “Might Lake a few moments of your time? The customer replies with a statement of permission: ‘You may ake some of my valuable time, (Can you recognise the modal verb in each of the sentences below and say what function i is serving? Function: possible probable certain a request a suggestion 1. Could it have been any worse, Task mysel® 2. Twould like to say it was, but Tam affaid I ean’ 3. I should warn you. ‘4. Can we start atthe beginning, pleas ‘5. Well, we will definitely investigate what happened. 6. Shall Take you through meal afer meal to prove my point? Lean assure you that we, as a company, will investigate this matter. ——PH saeco | a Writing a travel blog Key features: You are going to write travel blog soit is important to choose a Nowfction text place you knot well and lie alt. Use the writing frame to help Petsonal experiences you plan. * Uses detall This extract from a travel blog about Morocco describes a Coburfulandexcting Sunday morning ina village in Ait Bougmes valley: presentation Ee MM a Mae rene eens moreso KC) 1 The silence was deafening as| sipped cafe au lat overlooking the peaceful village and the valley below. Men worked ‘the small plots of land by hand, using what seemed to be ancient tools. ut an important role as the food produced — '5 would nourish the family throughout the summer months = and provide a stock for the winter months. The apple and peach trees provided a pop of colourin the already green landscape with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains towering around, Children wandered frely through the vilage, playing 10 with what tte toys they had while the women sat chatting amongst each other. Meanwhile donkeys were led through the vlage en route to work From Why Morocco? by Mandy Sinclair Speaking and listening - the destination game Find out how mach you know about your chosen destination. Write questions on ten cue cards, eg. What is the best feature / the most imporeant building / the atticude ofthe locals / the thing you like doing most/ the best ime to vst / the most ‘unusual local eustor Shuffle the cards, then take turns to pick one and ask the {question waitten on i. Your partner has 20 seconds to answer.pb cass Writing frame Use the guidelines below to plan and drafe your travel blog, Remember that you are writing as if you are in the place being «described, so the more convincing you ate, the better your blog willbe received. Do your research: 1 Find out about your chosen destination. 2. Make a note of some interesting fats and statistics to use in your blog. Both help to convince an audience you know what you are writing about. 3 Collect some images you can use to Plan carefully: highlight the points you make. 1. Decide what dels you want to include Remember that picture really does about your destination ~ don’ try to paint a thousand words! ‘ram to0 much in 2, Ieis beter to highlight afew carefully chosen features than try 1 cover everything. 3. Before beginning your biog, decide on your paragraph order and where you are going to use your images Narrative style: 1. Ablog is personal so write in the fst person narrative 2. Keep it fairly informal to create the bond berween you and your audienee. 3. Adopt a lively, fast-paced style to help It’s all in the detail: persuade the audience they are sharing the experience 1, You are the audience’ eyss. They see everything through your description so make your details count. 2. Use reflection to allow your audience to share your feelings about your experience. '3. Write about the people aswell asthe place to add another dimension to your blog.i Peete) i Responding to text extracts How Space Tourism Works by Kevin Bonsor ‘Make your reservations now. The space tourism industry i officially open for business, and tickets are going for mere ‘$20 million for a one-week stay in space. Despite reluctance from NASA, Russia made American businessman Dennis Tito the world’ first space tourist. Tito flew into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocker that arrived at che International Space Station on April 30, 2001, The second space tourist, South African businessman Mark Shuttleworth, took off aboard the Rossian Soyuz on April 25, 2002, also bound forthe ISS. Greg ‘Olsen, an American businessman, became tourist number three 1 the ISS on October 1, 2005. ‘On September 18, 2006, Anousheh Ansari a telecommunications entrepreneur, became the first female space tourist and the fourth space tourist overall She was also the fist person of Iranian descent to make it into space. Charles Simonyi, a software architect, became the fifth space tourist on April 7, 2007. ‘These trips are the beginning of what could be a lucrative 2st century industry. There are already several space tourism ‘companies planning to build suborbital vehicles and orbital cities within the next two decades. These companies have invested millions, believing thatthe space tourism industry is on the verge of taking off In 1997, NASA published a report concluding that selling trips 10 space to private citizens could be worth billions of dollars. A Japanese report supports these findings, and projects that space tourisin could be a $10 billion per year industry within two decades. The only obstacles to opening up space to tourists, are the space agencies, who are concerned with safety and the development ofa reliable, reusable launch vehicle. Ifyou've ever dreamed of going to space and doing what only a few hundred people have done, then read on. From How Space Touriom Werks, www:howstffworks.com,pw nsieay ee Wie ae “li Forming an overview Discuss these questions: 1. Whos the intended audience? 2. What is the purpose ofthe article? 3. Whats the overall tone ofthe article? ‘4. Whats the purpose of using so many facts in the article? Practice questions 1. Answer these questions on the article. ‘a What is the estimated cost ofa ticket fora space trip? 1b How long would a trip into space last? ‘¢ What would be che destination for any trip? 2. Suggest a meaning for each of these words in the context of the way it is used in the passage. reservations bb reluctance entrepreneur sor 3. Correct these sentences by adding the necessary punctuation, © How do I make a reservation for a trip into space asked the rich businessman Space tourism won't be achievable until the space agencies agree its safe for it go ahead and a reliable vehicle has bbcen developed replied the travel agent 44. Without using and or but, turn these three simple sentences into a complex one. Space tourism is exciting. Tis very expensive, Iwill be more popular in the next two decades. ‘5 List the space tourists who have travelled so far and what their nationalities are 66. Write a response tothe article in which you argue that space ‘tourism will not become a popular leisure activity. Use the article {for your ideas bu try to use your own words as far as possible. Write 80-100 words,» Sample responses to space ) tourism article Here are thre sample responses to question 6. Kimi “Space tourism wort become a popular les acti because a costs lat of money to take p28 9.20 mion dare Ory hundred poeple have been into’tpace. They are all cich poeple tis dangerus and NASA don't fp. ttorpig vr ch Trea few axapanys putting money into space tips but tone have made a space ship that can doi 90 {ou cant gp yet, NAA don Like tbecose © is dangerus and the tourism can be killed and 4@_ rat woud be bad and not good, © Melissa However appealing space tourism for you and ime may appear i isnot a reality that wil occur for many decades to come The absence of 2 cafe and dependent vehicle capable of making Indefinite voyages to and from the International ‘ay behind the imagination ofthe companies investing huge sums of money in the projec ven if such a mode of transportation was available, space tourism remains a pipedream until the space agencies deem teary safe and logistically manageable. Those who have already travelled as space tourist wll remain the eich and fortunate ones for the oreseeable future, Space Station suggests the tehnoloay lagging Fozia Campari have spent eiions on space our butt may al be wasted because the technology to build a reliable vehicle snot avaable, This is ‘a maeeive problem a6 wut this spaceship the tourists wil not be able to voyge to the space ‘ation Furthermore iti not thou 0 be safe enough by NASA soit is unlike] 10 gp abead. “Tere ie alo the question of cost. There ae very few people in the work vo can afford to spend ‘went milion liars ona hobby «owl there ‘wer be a variable mark for space tour,owner Teacher commentaries on sample responses Here are the three teacher commentaries forthe responses but the order has been rearranged. The word countisjust outside the guidlines but this should not detract too much from the positive experienced inthis reponse. The tone is appropriate and the focuson the taskissustained throughout. The sentence stuctureis mature and allows the ideas ‘ow appropriately Punctuation s used corectlyathough there ‘salimited range being used Speling is veryaccurate across. good ‘ange of vocabulary including more dificult low-frequency words. The word countis within te guidelines. The response shows @ {900d grasp of the question and sustains an appropriate focus throughout. Ath responseisrlevant and itiscontrolled wth some ski There isa range ofsentence structures evident that are confidently expressed, Punctuation isgeneraly accurate troughout theresa question mack mising athe end~ though imitedin range. There's one spelling mistake but ‘voyage’ should be considered a mre dificult word. The writer confuses variable'and ‘viable. Theword counts within the guidlines A genuine attempt has been made toanswer the question and theresa genealfocus that ‘smaintained throughout the response though theres also some ‘unnecessary repetition. Theres ite sense of audience but asuitable toneis used. The sentence structures basi with overuse of common ‘connectives in the last two sentences. The punctuation sited but not entirely accurate especialy the se of apostrophes, Speling is ‘more problematic with several words misspelt that should not have ‘been. Theres itleattempt to use more dificult words sothe range of vocabuiaryemployed sao limited. 1. Match the commentary to the response. 2. Share with a partner alist ofthe key points you have understood by reading the commentaries. 13. Rewrite your own response, taking into account your new understanding.