Loh CULTURE PARTI —_ READING STRATEGIES Previewing and Predicting @ Skimming @ Scanning # Guessing Vocabulary PARTIT ~~ READING 1: Chinese Culture READING 2: What Is It About The Erasmus Program? READING 3: A Universal Language Active Vocabulary ListPREVIEWING AND PREDICTING that you can use before you start a unit or read a text. A quick preview of the key elements of a unit or text can help you predict what it might be about. This helps you get an overall picture, remember what you already know about the subject and understand the text better. HOW? Y Read the title, headings and subheadings. Y Look at the pictures, graphs, tables and illustrations if there are any. Y Look at the types of tasks and exercises Y Make predictions about what you are going to read in the text or unit. PRACTICE THE SKILL Take one minute to preview Unit 1, pages 18 to 36, and a answer the questions below. sr 1, What is it about? 2. How many texts are there? What are their titles? 3. Are there any visual aids? If so, what are they? 4. What kind of exercises are there in the unit? 5. Is there anything in the unit that seems familiar to you? SKIMMING ‘Skimming is high-speed reading to get a general idea (gist) of a text. It helps you to find out what the text is about, how it is organized, and what the tone and purpose of the writer is. You can also identify the main ideas in a text by skimming. Skimming is especially useful when there is a lot to read, but there is limited time, or you need to locate the relevant or necessary information in a long text, article, chapter or even book. HOW? Don’t read every word. Keep your eyes moving over the text Read the title, headings, and subheadings. Go over the introduction or the first paragraph. Go over the first and last sentences of each paragraph. Look at the diagrams and illustrations and their captions. Go over the last paragraph. Look at the sources if given. Focus on the content words (e.g. nouns, verbs) rather than the function words (e.g. articles, pronouns) Check the type of language in the text (formal, informal, academic and etc.) 2 KSKKK KAS <Example: In Nigeria, thousands of local people participate in the annual Argungu Fishing Festival, which has taken place since 1934. On the final day of the festival, a competition is held, in which local men and women line up along the river and at the sound of a gunshot, all of them jump into the river and have an hour to catch the largest fish. The winner can take home as much as 7,500 US dollars. Competitors are only allowed to use traditional fishing equipment and many prefer to catch fish entirely by hand. Although itis not a very famous festival, people from different countries troupe to Argungu just to witness this annual occasion. 1. What is the paragraph about? 2. What is the purpose of the writer? 3. What kind of festival is it? ‘Suggested key: 1. When you read the first and last sentences, you see that the paragraph is about Argungu Fishing Festival. 2. When you quickly go over the paragraph and focus on the content words, you see information about its history, what people do in it, the price and the rules. Therefore, the writer's purpose is probably to give information about this festival. 3. When you quickly go over the paragraph, focus on the content words and look at the photo, you see that it is a traditional fishing festival in Nigeria, but not very famous. PRACTICE THE SKILL Now, skim the texts below and answer the questions that follow. ‘The Songkran Festival Every April, to celebrate New Year, the world’s largest water gun fight takes place in the country of Thailand. And no, it’s not just some small isolated village. We're talking about an entire country and lots of enthusiastic foreign visitors drowning themselves with super soakers. However, the fun isn’t limited to water guns, as some people prefer buckets or even elephants.The Running of the Bulls Probably one of the most popular events in the world, the Pamplona Bull Run in Spain, is actually part of the Fiesta San Fermin, which takes place every July. It involves running in front of a small group of bulls, typically six. This fast run takes only two minutes and 30 seconds, but it is filled with excitement and fear. The only requirements to participate are that you have to be at least 18 years old and sober. Although it sounds like fun, there is the risk of injury or even death. Holi Festival So far, you've probably noticed that large groups of celebrating people have a tendency to throw things at one another. While it’s hard to say whether colored powder feels any better than water, it certainly looks a lot cooler. Ifthis is your kind of entertainment, you might want to pay India a visit during the springtime festival of Holi. At the very least, you'll probably end up with a pretty cool looking tie-dye shirt, Adapted from hitp:/ist2S com/2S.most-insane-festivals-from-around.the-world (3 4.2016 Adapted from hitp:/Avww fishingfury,com/20080601 /argungu-fishing-festival-in-nigerial 1. The texts above were probably taken from a) atextbook b) a travel site ¢) atourism report 2. The purpose of the writer in the texts above is to a) inform by criticize ©) persuade 3. The Songkran festival sounds a) educational ) fun ©) risky 4. In the last paragraph above, the writer is mostly about Holi Festival a) negative b) neutral ©) positive 5 sounds both fun and dangerous. a) The Songkran Festival b) The Running of the Bulls _ c) Holi FestivalSCANNING Scanning is reading quickly to find specific information such as numbers, names, words, places or dates in any kind of text. Scanning increases reading speed and flexibility. HOW? ¥ Skim the text when you first see it, so when you need to scan, you will know where to look ¥ Look for words with capital letters if you are scanning for a name or place. Y Look for numbers if you are scanning for dates, percentages, time, ete. Y Find a keyword in the question that will help you find the required information. APPLY THE SKILL 10. Join us as we head 5,000 years back in time to discover ten fascinating facts about the Ancient Egyptians. Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families, So far, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. They believed that when a dead person's body was preserved - which they did through the process of mummification - their Soul would live on in the after-life forever. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid, This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings! Both Eqyptian men and women wore makeup, The eye-paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). As well as of fering protection from the sun, the Eqyptians believed makeup had magical healing powers, too! Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. Yikes! ‘The Eayptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! The table above may help you to uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbols, Ancient Eqyptians believed in more than 2,000 deities! They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores. Each hed different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance. Cats were considered to be sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians, It's thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck. Love playing boord games with your pals? Well. gang so did the Ancient Enyptians. One popular game was "Senet,” which was played for over 2,000 years! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board, The Ancient Eqyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and - believe it or not - toothpaste! Adapted from: hitp://www.nghids.co ul/history/ten-fiets-aboutancientegyptA. Answer the following questions. TIP: +x Determine the keyword in the question and then locate it in the text. This should help you find the answer more quickly. 1. How many pyramids have been discovered until today? 2. What's the name of the largest pyramid? 3. How much does the largest pyramid weigh? 4. Who wore makeup? 5. Green eye paint was made from and black eye paint was made fiom 6. How far can an Egyptian mummy’s bandage stretch? 7. How many symbols did the Egyptian alphabet contain? 8. How many deities did they believe in? 9. Which animal was considered sacred? 10. Name a popular game that ancient Egyptians played 11, What did they invent?ns and then use the TV Schedule to find the answers. 10. Is there a horror film this evening? Is there a show about making good investments? Which show is for travellers? ‘On which channel is there a Tom Cruise film? Peter is interested in wild animals. Which show should he watch? Which outdoor sport can you watch? Which indoor sport can you watch? You like art. Which documentary should you watch? When can you watch the news on FNB? Can you watch all three documentaries without having to record any of them? Bc 6.00 pm National News- Join Jack Parsons for your daily news roundup, 7.00: Football Review- Watch highlights from the week's games. 830: Shock from the Past- This entertaining film by Arthur Schmidt takes a poke at the wild side of gambling. 10.30: Nightly News: A review of the day's most important events, 11.00: Art for Everyone- A fascinating documentary that helps you enjoy the Impressionist painters” works. 12:00: Hard Day's Night- Reflections after a long, hard day FNB 6.00 p.m: In- Depth News- In-depth coverage ofthe ‘most important national and. intemational news stories, 7.00: Mega Structures- Fascinating documentary on the biggest constructions in the world 7.30: Ping - Pong Masters- Live coverage from the Bejing Hall, Peking 9.30: It's Your Money- This program will guide you on how to invest your money. 10.30: Green Park- Stephen King’s latest horror movie. 00.30: Late ight News- Get the news youneed, ‘ABN 6.00 pm Travel Abroad- This week we travel to sunny California’ 6.30: The Flintstones- Fred and Barney are at it again, 7.00: Pretty Boy- Tom Cruise, the prettiest boy of them all, in an action movie. 9.00: Fastest Animals- Excellent documentary about the fastest beasts in the wild by Dick Signi. 10.00: Coupling- Two consecutive episodes for maximum laughter. 11.30: The Three Idiots- A fun comedy based on those three tenors.C. Read the questions, determine the key words and then look through the text to find the answers as quickly as possible. 1. In which parts of Sub-Saharan Africa are there the largest hippo populations? 2. What are the most recognizable characteristics of hippos? 3. What do hippos eat? 4. At what speed can hippos run short distances? 5. What examples of cetaceans are given in the text? 6. How many members does group of hippos have? 7. How old is the earliest-known hippo fossil? The hippopotamus, often shortened to “hippo,” is a large, plant-eating African mammal. The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa in groups of five to 30 hippos. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs, their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, etc.). The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago. The hippopotamus is recognizable for its barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, hairless body, and tremendous size. Hippos have been clocked at 30 mph (48 km/h) while running short distances, faster than an Olympic sprinter. The hippopotamus is regarded as Africa's most dangerous animal, and is among the most aggressive animals in the world. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos remaining throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, of which Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000-30,000) have the largest populations. They are still threatened by hunters and by habitat loss.D. Read the questions, determine the key words and then look through the text to find the answers as quickly as possible. 1. When did Hamas migrate to South America and Asia? 2. What is a baby llama called? 3. What is the approximate weight of an adult llama? 4. Where did llamas originate? 5. When was the last ice age? 6. How many llamas were there in South America as of 2007? The Hama is a South American camelid, widely used as a beast of burden. The height of an adult, full-size Hama is from 5.5 feet (1,6 meters) to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. They can weigh between approximately 280 pounds (127 kilograms) and 450 pounds (204 kilograms). At birth, a baby llama (called a "cria”) can weigh between 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and 30 pounds (14 kilograms). As beasts of burden, Hamas can carry about 25% to 30% of their body weight for several miles. Llamas originated on the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. They migrated to South America and Asia about 3 million years ago. By the end of the last ice age (10,000-12,000 years ago) camelids were extinct in North America. As of 2007, there were over 7 million Hamas in South America and, due to importation from South America in the late 20" century, there are now over 100,000 llamas in the US and Canada.GUESSING VOCABULARY Knowing vocabulary is essential while reading. Sometimes, however, there will be words that you may not know, but if it does not limit your comprehension of the text, you can ignore them and just read past them. Study the examples below and read past the words or phrases in bold. Can you understand the sentences, without them? © While the adults are picking apples in the orchard, the kids can have fun romping around and playing games. Later, all the family members can go for pony rides or ride on a hay-filled wagon. © Insome traditional Japanese hotels, visitors sleep on the floor ona futon mattress which is spread over the tatami floor mat. However, as you are reading, you may sometimes feel that not knowing a word may prevent you from understanding the text. In such a case, there are usually two options. One way to deal with it is to look up the word in a dictionary, which may take time or which may be impossible in an exam situation. The other way is to guess the meaning from the context. (Of course, you should always check the dictionary to make sure that your guess is correct, and that the use and collocations of the word.) Guessing the meaning of unknown vocabulary is an important skill for reading as it helps students to understand texts better and to increase their reading speed. In most texts or sentences, there are various contextual clues that can help you to guess the meaning of words. The most common ones are given in the table below with examples Contextual Clues [Examples and Explanations Punctuation se Commas , , * All through September and October, the aroma of ripe, fully grown, apples fills the air on sunny se Brackets () [] days, which is an invitation to come picking, Clue: (,,) ok Dashes — = Therefore, ripe means fully grown. st Colon : * Atthe end ofa tiring day, you should enjoya long, soak in the ‘ofuro’ (the traditional Japanese hot bath) before trying a delicious Japanese meal. Clue: () Therefore, ‘ofuro” means the traditional Japanese hot bath. © The bridal shower is customarily ~ traditionally organized by the bride’s sister or her best friend, Clue: ‘Therefore, customarily means traditionally. 10Definition and Verbs such as: © Inthe US, there is a social ritual for men before Description the day of the wedding: a stag party. It is a party * be for the future husband which is usually organized by his best friends % be called Clue: is (be) Therefore, stag party is party for the future husband om which is usually organized by his best friends. % refer to © The Scottish national costume for men is a kind of skirt. Itis called a “kilt.” ‘Clue: is called Therefore, kilt is the ott national costume for men/ the Scottish skirt for men. Linkers * and © Insome cultures, rice is thrown at a wedding as it is an ancient symbol of prosperity, or wealth. * or Clue: or Therefore, prosperity means wealth © but * The Shaker style of dressing was modest and * $0 simple. Also, it was plain, so it was unusual to see these people wearing bright or attractive also clothing. Clue: so / opposite words’ the information around the word Therefore, plain probably means not bright or attractive Exemplification * for example * for instance * eg. oe and thelike People in most cultures believe that positive personal qualities such as generosity and modesty are important. Clue: such as Therefore, generosity and modesty are examples of positive personal qualities considered important by peopl * Sacred places like Mecca and Jerusalem are commonly visited by Muslims and Jews for religious purposes. Clue: like Therefore, sacred probably means religiously important or holy. InScotland, you may come across very interesting musical instruments, e.g. bagpipes. Clue: e.g. Therefore, bagpipe is an example of a musical instrument used in Scotland. cyExplanation or Reformulation ox in other words o& that is x © On the final night of the festival, there is a big feast. That is, people have a large special meal all together. Clue: That is Therefore, feast means a large special meal. © When you go to someone’s house in Japan, taking off the shoes is obligatory. In other words, you are not allowed to enter the house with your shoes on. Clue: In other words Therefore, if something is obligatory, you must do it because of a rule, law or expectation. © Aborigines were nomads, i., people who constantly moved from one place to another. Clue ie Therefore, nomad means a person who constantly moves from one place to another. Synonyms and Antonyms © Children can be naughty when they are small They may break things, make a mess in the house and behave badly. However, in time, they learn to be well-behaved. Clue: opposites (antonym), information around the word Therefore, naughty probably means not behaving well and causing difficulty for the parents ‘© Joe was hesitant about asking Katy for a date because he was unsure if she liked him. Clue: words with similar meaning (synonym) ‘Therefore, hesitant probably means unsure / uncer Information around the word (context) and repeated information + Logging is an important source of income for Suriname. Although it is strictly controlled by the government, the amount of illegal logging is worrying because it causes the cutting down of the trees in the rain forests and the destruction of natural habitats Clue: information around the word (source of income, cutting off the trees, natural habitats) Therefore, logging probably means the work of cutting down trees in a forest. © In England in the 16" century, the punishment for speaking Romany was death. Because of this, many Romanies in the country had to conceal their language. Some didn’t reveal their gypsy roots at all to avoid the trouble. 2‘Clue: information around the word (punishment, death, didn’t reveal, to avoid the trouble) Therefore, to conceal probably means to hide something (opposite of reveal here) The Yanomami people used stone axes, and bamboo knives to hunt and catch fish. Clue: information around the word (knives, hunt, catch fish) Therefore, an axe is a tool that can be used to hunt and catch fish * Herons have sharp eyes that function as colour filters. They easily detect fish below the surface of water, fly over that area, and then dive down to catch the fish. (Clue: information around the word (sharp eyes, detect fish, fly, catch the fish) Therefore, heron is akind of bird that has good eye- sight and feeds on fi Part of speech (different forms ofa word) North America has always been a land of immigrants. Immigration into this continent started in the 1600s and continued nonstop until the late 1800s. Millions of people from Europe and other parts of the world left their homelands and immigrated to America with the hope of new opportunities. Clue: words which look similar (immigration, immigrated), information around the word Therefore, immigrant probably means a person who moves to another place/ country to live there. + The film had an unpredictable ending. Everybody was expecting the hero to be saved, but he died. It was a shock for the audience. Clue: knowledge of word forms (root of the word ind prefix “un”), information around the word (saved, died, shock) Therefore, unpredictable probably means not expected, not predicted BA. Select the correct meaning of each word in bold using the context clues. The bioscope, an early motion-picture projector, was a breakthrough when it was first introduced. Ithas since been replaced with advanced equipment, which will surely be considered “old” in the future. a) an early motion-picture projector b) abreakthrough c) an example of advanced equipment In the early days of motion pictures, the dialogue, or conversation, was not heard, In addition to very heavy drama, there were often subtitles to help the audience understand what was being said. a) subtitles b) heavy drama ©) conversation Sadly, some of the best loved figures of the silent movies were later found living in poverty - without any money, a home, or even enough to eat after their voices were heard in the films. a) love b) unheard voices ¢) the state of being poor Even though many of the performers and directors were eminent figures before the addition of sound, most of them were unknown afterwards. a) foreign b) famous ¢) unknown Audiences immediately responded to the performances of more contemporary actors and aciresses instead of those from the early days of motion pictures. a) immediate b) previous c) recent B. Select the correct meaning of each word in bold using the context clues. 1 When preparing job application letters, Serena develops one standard letter, or prototype. Then, she changes that letter to fit the requirements of the specific job she is applying for. a) variation b) model ©) introduction 2. There was a consensus (unified opinion) among the students that the exam was difficult a) agreement b) result ©) discussion 410. Diego’s child was reticent in every respect; she wouldn’t speak, refused to answer questions and avoided looking at anyone. a) noisy b) undisciplined ©) shy Although most members of the class agreed with the instructor's opinion of the film, several strongly objected. a) disagreed b) believed ¢) supported Road safety is taught to young children to avoid road accidents, a) educate b) fear ) prevent Gorillas can convey messages to humans through gestures and sounds. In other words, they express themselves by using body language and sounds. a) invent b) communicate ©) allow This article says that children’s use of the Internet should be confined to two hours a day. If they are not controlled by their parents, they may be negatively affected by the excessive use of the net. a) allowed b) limited ©) changed I like that store. All the employees strive to make the customers feel right at home and they are very helpful. a) complain b) fail ©) try The police believe that the building was set on fire deliberately. They suspect that it could be one of the racist groups in the area. a) accidentally b) professionally ©) knowingly Introverts prefer solitary activities, whereas extroverts prefer activities involving other people. a) requiring a high level of skill b) done alone; without anyone else ¢) related to computers 15C. Read the passages below and determine the meaning of the bold words using contextual clues. 1, The love of money has ruined friendships, caused divorces, and even led to death. Today it causes further alienation! in a way never witnessed before—it is about to break up (separate) the American family, especially with the issue of inheritance?. A great deal of money will be transferred from parents, upon their deaths, to their children, normally a natural transfer of assets’. The amount is estimated to be about 12 trillion dollars, an extraordinary amount. Many people who grew up in the Depression Era have amassed! large fortunes by serimping® and saving, often doing without needed goods. This generation will be passing its wealth on to its children, the baby boomers, right after the turn of the century. What does this transfer of trillions of dollars mean for the wealth of our population? Some predietions® state that about one-third of this money will go to only one percent of the population, but for those one percent who are lucky enough to inherit one or two million dollars, there may be some serious fighting among siblings’. Already, attorneys are seeing families doing battle over estates, china, silver, furniture and cars. Television talk show hosts are featuring families discussing their fortunes and publicly broadcasting their disputes*. The money seems much more important than family harmony? or loyalty. To get ready for the predicted upcoming family battles, some are suggesting that the country will need even more attomeys, specializing in estate litigation" and planning, Match the words with their defi jons or synonyms. 1, alienation a. possessions 2. inheritance b. cases in the courts 3. assets __ c. collected 4. amassed d. guesses about the future 5. serimping e. counting every penny 6. predictions __ f. disagreements 7. siblings = agreement 8 disputes h. separation 9. harmony i. money, property etc. received from family 10. litigation = |. brothers and sisters 162. Jazz! The music that touched every musician of the 20" century, whether it was embraced! or rejected, can still be heard in the chords and creations today. Many renowned? DUK ELLWeren people brought innovation’ to this form of music, but the most well-known is ; the “Duke” — Mr. Edward Kennedy Ellington, He took this exciting, rich music 2 Y and improved it with his incomparable’ creativity. Although he would have been 100 years old in 1999, this “old” man still influences musicians today. From short instrumental pieces, to symphonic works, to film music, to music for the theater and for worship, his range was without comparison. He composed almost 2,000 works during his career spanning’ 50 years of creativity, from the 1920s through to the 1970s Born in Washington, DC in 1899, Ellington was a contemporary (someone belonging to the same period of time) of George Gershwin, another major figure in the serious business of music. In the 1920s, Ellington took his orchestra, known as the Washingtonians, to New York, where they performed at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem. By the mid-1930s, Ellington had created an astonishing® list of compositions, including such classics as Caravan, Mood Indigo and Sophisticated Lady. He led his orchestra on a grand tour of Europe where he was greeted by cheering, adoring fans. Following this successful foreign tour, he initiated’ a series of annual concerts at Camegie Hall in New York, where he introduced his extensive*, or huge, repertoire of concert suites. He continued to compose concerts, ballets, operas, and film scores (most notably Anatomy of a Murder and The Asphalt Jungle), until he officially retired in 1954. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and honorary degrees from Yale and Howard Universities. Although the Duke died in 1974 in New York City, his works, even posthumously’, were still being discovered. One of his operas was performed in Philadelphia in 1986, and his symphonic works started to appear in concert halls and recordings. Finally, in 1999, Duke was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize for lifetime achievement. The Duke’s power and vitality’ will always remain in his contributions to musicians everywhere. Hetook jazz and translated it into styles as varied as the blues, the big-band sounds of swing, concert suites, and even religious music Match the words with their definitions or synonyms. TIP! Re careful with the use of “or” wale 1. embraced = ____a)_ covering ‘guessing vocabulary as 2. renowned b) broad it sometimes explains —_ the previous word 3. innovation ©) started (always witha comma) 4. incomparable d) exceptional while at other times: — suggests opposites or 5. spanning e) accepted altematives. 6. astonishing ) amazing 7. initiated g) aller death 8. extensive h) change O 9. posthumously i) energy C 10. vitality i) famous S v7TEXT 1 CHINESE CULTURE I. PREVIEWING THE TOPIC 1. What do you know about Chinese culture? 2. Can you name any of their festivals or famous sight-seeing places? 3. Do you ever eat in Chinese restaurants in your city? If so, how is the food there different from your own traditional food? 4, In what way are the pictures below related to Chinese culture? II, PREVIEWING VOCABULARY The words below appear in the text. Study the examples below and match the bold words with a suitable definition from the box. ___ |. Ireland boasts beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and friendly locals, and any tourist who visits that country would agree with that. (para 1) 2. The profound Chinese civilization has taught the other nations many interesting things for centuries. (para 1) He has a diverse collection of music ranging from jazz to pop. (para 1) The use of steam for power marked the beginning of an era. (para 3) Political stability is highly connected to a country’s economic development. (para 3) Italy is proud of its beautiful old buildings, which are part of their cultural heritage. (para 4) 7. While learning a foreign language, you should utilize many different skills. (para 7) 8. Most citizens in the country believe that the old constitution cannot respond to today’s needs. (para 9) a. (adj.) deep-rooted, long-established b. (v.)_ to have or own something to be proud of ¢. (a.) the set of laws and principles that a country’s goverment must obey 4. (a.) continuance without change; permanence, or balance €. (a.) a period of time marked by distinctive character, events, ete f(a.) the traditional or historical beliefs, values and customs etc. of a family, country or society g. (adj.) of various kinds and forms h. (v.) touse something in an effective way 18IIL. READING FOR GIST Skim the text quickly and choose the best altern: 1 ‘The text is probably taken from a a) story book b) scientific report ©) guide book The writer’s purpose is to a) give instructions ») give information ©) make a suggestion ‘The text is probably for a) travelers b) professionals ©) business people The type of information that you can find in the text includes (You may have more than one answer) a)place names b) statistics c) dates d) people’snames _e) questions) numbers vr China is considered one of the Four Ancient Civilizations (alongside Babylon, India and Egypt), and it boasts a vast and varied geographical area, 3,600 years of written history, as well as arich and profound culture. Chinese culture is not only diverse and but also unique —unusual and special. That's why it attracts lots of attention, ae Peace Symbols of China Every nation has its symbols, but what should you think of when it comes to China? You might dream up images of dragons, the red flag, pandas, the Great Wall, table tennis, Chinese silk and ancient porcelain. The list goes on. China's History As one of the world's four ancient civilizations, China has a history of more than 5,000 years. The written history of China can be said to date back to the Shang Dynasty, a series of rulers from the same family, over 3,000 years ago. After the Imperial Era, with dynasties following each other, The Revolution of 1911 ended this period, and the monarchical system was abandoned with the founding of the Republic of China. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China entered a new Communist era of stability, with the Reform and Opening Up policies of 1978, bringing about China’s unusual economic growth. 19China's Heritage China’s national heritage is rich with natural wonders and historic sites, as well as ethnic music and festivals. As of 2015, 48 noteworthy Chinese sites were recorded on UNESCO'S World Heritage List. The Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and the Forbidden City are just a few examples. China is second only to Italy for the World Heritage sites. a’s Festivals China has several traditional festivals that are celebrated all over the country in different ways. The most important ones are the Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. China, with its “SS Ethnic Minorities,” also has many ethnic festivals. From Tibet to Manchuria, different tribes celebrate their new year, harvest and other events in various ways. Learning Chinese Chinese is considered to be the most difficult language in the world to leam, but that also must make it the most interesting since it’s the world’s only remaining pictographic language in common use, with thousands of characters making up the written language. Its pronunciation is generally one syllable per character, in one of five tones. China’s rich literary culture includes many pithy sayings and beautiful poems ‘The History of Kung Fu Chinese kung fu, which is also known as wushu, is a Chinese martial art and one of the most well-known examples of traditional Chinese culture. It it is probably one of the oldest and Iongest lasting sports which utilizes both muscular strength and the brain. The theory of kung fu is based upon classical Chinese philosophy. Over its long history, it has developed as a unique combination of exercise, practical self-defense, self-discipline and art. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li are Chinese actors who all contributed to the promotion of this martial art all over the world. In other words, they made it famous in other countries. China's Cuisine With a long history, unique features, numerous styles and exquisite (special and delicious) cooking, Chinese cuisine is one important part of Chinese culture. Chinese dishes are famous for color, aroma, taste, meaning and look. Gong Bao Chicken, Ma Po Tofu and Dumplings and Peking Roasted Duck are examples of popular Chinese dishes. As for drinks, tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. As Chinese society has developed and progressed, tea production has played a role in driving economic development, while tea consumption has remained a part of daily life. Religions in China China isa multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism and Catholicism have all developed quite a following in this country. Freedom of belief is a government policy, and normal religious activities are protected by the constitution, ‘Adapted from http://www chinahighlights con/travelguide/culture/ 20IV. GUESSING MEANING FROM CONTEXT, Guess the meaning of the words below by using the clues in the text. Write down the clue. 1. “unique” in paragraph | probably means Clue: 2. “dynasty” in paragraph 3 probably means Clue: 3. “promotion” in paragraph 7 probably means Clue: 4. “exquisite” in paragraph 8 probably means Clue: V. READING FOR DETAILED UNDERSTANDING Read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow. 1, What is China proud of according to the first paragraph? 2. What ended the monarchical system in China? 3. Why is Chinese a difficult language to learn according to the text? 4, What elements are combined in the philosophy of kung fu? 5. What makes Chinese cuisine significant as part of Chinese culture? 6. How does the constitution help freedom of belief in China? 2VI. VOCABULARY PRACTICE Fill in the blanks with the words from the box. Do not change their forms. There are more words than you need. diverse utilizing dynasty unique protecting, profound stability promotes boasts heritage Hong Kong is known to have an exceptionally rich history. Cultural 1), is what sets this nation apart from the rest of Asia - indeed the world. With over 150 years of colonial history and a largely Chinese population, Hong Kong is a/ an 2) fusion! of Westem and Eastern cultures, where the old and the new live side by side. In other words, it is not similar to any city in Asia. Its incense-filled temples, colonial buildings and glass-and-steel skyscrapers, along with its ancient traditions and lively festivals, have made Hong Kong a living culture experience. In addition, Hong Kong's great range of museums provides a/ an 3), insight into the territory’s colorful history and development. With topics as 4) ‘as medical science, tea-ware, robotics, movies, history, urban planning and prison life, museums are many, and extremely fun. Naturally, Hong Kong is proud and 5) this living culture experience with its amazing museums, fascinating temples, and beautifully contrasting old and modern structures which belong to different eras. It 6) its ancient traditions and lively festivals in every way with the help of the Government and the travel companies. The Government takes care of cultural conservation, museums, libraries and performing arts venues. It also encourages greater public participation in cultural activities by7) publicity, education and provision of subsidies, or supply of financial aid. "fusion (n): 2 combination of separate qualities and ideas 2VII. DISCUSSION TOP RECOMMENDED CHINESE TOURS Work in a group. Imagine that you are 1) Classic Wonders 11-Day Beijing — Xi'an — Guilin/Yangshuo — Shanghai Private Tour (US $2,699, Central and 5-star westem standard hotels) Take an exclusive, in-depth Forbidden City journey with our expert in history and architecture. ‘* Try moderate hiking on the World Heritage Site, the Great Wall * Visit the World’s 8* wonder - the Terracotta Warriors. * Discover minority life at the Longji terrace field. * Explore an ancient town and chat with the locals. 2) The Golden Triangle 8-Day Beijing — Xi'an - Shanghai Private Tour (US $1,889, Central and 4-star westem standard hotels) * Admire the World Heritage Sites, the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. * Taste famous Chinese food — Peking Roasted Duck * Get closer to the first emperor of China by visiting the Terracotta Warriors. + Enjoy a stroll in an ancient Chinese traditional garden. 3) The Flavor of China 12-Day Beijing — Xian — Chengdu ~ Guilin — Hong Kong Cuisine Tour (US $3,609, Central and 5- star western standard hotels) * Be amazed at the must-see sights: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors. ‘* Taste local cuisine at finest restaurants to learn the stories behind the dishes. # Try unique street food to experience the local lifestyle. * Join in 2 Chinese cooking class and get secret recipes inning to visit China together. Look at the recommended tours above and choose the most suitable one for your group. Later, share your ideas with your class. ‘You can take notes below, if necessary. 2BTEXT 2 WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE ERASMUS PROGRAM? I. PREVIEWING THE TOPIC 1. Have you ever thought of studying abroad? 2. When is the best time (e.g. during your studies, after university) to do this? Why? 3. What points would you consider when you decide on the country and the university? (e.g, university program) 4, What do you know about the Erasmus exchange program at universities? 5. Where do you think the name “Erasmus” comes from? Read the text below to learn the answer to question 5. Who was Erasmus? ‘The Erasmus program is named after a famous character of Christian humanism, Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, also called Erasmus of Rotterdam. Erasmus was a Dutch traveler, born around 1500. He was an orphan who received a religious education and became a priest, and eventually earned a doctorate in Paris. Since he was critical about the teaching methods of his time, he used his theories to create his own program, which he used as he lived and worked in several parts of Europe. By leaving his fortune to the University of Basel, he became a precursor (pioneer) of mobility grants. ‘Taken from: "EasyExpat.com: Information for Expatriates, Expat Guides" rrII. PREVIEWING VOCABULARY The words below appear in the text. Study the examples below and match the bold words with a ible definition from the box. 1. The UNICEF has launched a campaign for the protection of women and children in war zones. (para. 1) 2. The competition is about to start, The dancers are heading to the dance floor. (para. 3) 3. There were somany delays at the airport that they led to a lot of confusion. Our gate number changed quite a few times. (para. 5) 4. The Ministry of Fducation gave her a grant to study abroad for one year. (para. 6) 5. Japan is the host nation for this year’s championship, so they are expecting an increase in tourism. (para. 7) 6. Her knowledge of Chinese and Japanese is a real asset in her work. (para. 7) 7. Receiving positive feedback from a teacher increases student motivation, and so they study harder. (para. 8) 8. Regardless of age and gender, anyone can become a member in this club. (para. 10) (i) a useful quality or skill that gives you an advantage (v.) to go towards a place or in a particular direction (n.) an amount of money given by the government, a university, or private organization to a person or another organization (adv. phr.) not being affected/influenced by something, (v.) to begin or introduce something new like a product, plan or business (n.) a feeling that you do not understand something or cannot decide what to do (n.) willingness to do something (n.) a place or organization that provides the space and other necessary things for a program or special event ese rR mee IIL READING FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION Sean paragraphs 1 to 4 and answer the following questions. 1. When was the program launched? 2. How many program countries are there? 3. Which language did the writer study in the program? 4, Whatis the longest period a student can spend abroad? 5. Where did the writer go for her exchange program? 25Erasmus is the most popular exchange program for students in Europe. The program was launched in 1987 and since then, it has continued to offer European students the opportunity to experience student life in one of the 33 program countries. The majority of European and non- European universities (90% to be more precise) are involved in this program, which offers students a wide range of courses and study programs to choose from, and with the possibility of studying abroad for between three months and one year. Of course, the popularity of Erasmus has increased over time, something that I’ve noticed myself among my friends, acquaintances, and fellow students. 1 found out about Erasmus from a film called L ‘Auberge Espagnole (translated as The Spanish Apartment) in the days of my teens, when I had plenty of time to watch films all day long. The whole idea of studying in a foreign country for a certain amount of time fascinated me back then, and I immediately added it on my “bucket list.” When my university years arrived, I didn’t think twice and s zed (took) the opportunity. ‘One of the languages I’m studying is German, and as I started leaming it at university, [knew from the very beginning that I wanted to be fluent after I completed my bachelor’s diploma. I was aware that being able to speak well wouldn’t be possible without spending at least a few months in a German-speaking country, so for my Erasmus exchange program, I headed to Austria for a semester. When I came back home, I looked back at those four months I had spent there and realized it was the best thing I had done so far as a student. It was a truly inspiring experience; I knew it was just a beginning, and I felt truly encouraged to do more in life ‘The reasons why the Erasmus exchange program is definitely worth your attention are numerous, but I’ve picked seven that, in my opinion, sum up the “Erasmus spirit” - I am sure many of those who’ ve been Erasmus students themselves will know what I mean. 1 Afer finishing high school, many of you might have considered, or thought about, the idea of studying abroad. Indeed, making this decision is big, and so are your doubts and confusions; you are not really sure whether you want to take this important step or not. Studying abroad for a limited period of time as part ofan Erasmus exchange shows you what studying abroad means, and you can find out afterwards if you want to do it in the long run. 0 Every Erasmus student receives a grant, with the amount depending on the home country and destination. Of course, students are told from the very beginning that this grant won’t cover all the expenses, but it is, at any rate, of great help. If you come from an eastern European country as I do, this grant is pretty high, and makes studying abroad an affordable experience. 26OL 7 Asisaid, this was the main reason why I took part in an Erasmus exchange. And yes, I can say that I owe 60% of my German at this moment to my time studying abroad in Austria. What’s more, Ihave many friends who chose countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Turkey and Slovakia, and they were even offered free language courses at their host universities. We are all aware that knowing a less-spoken language is definitely an asset nowadays. And no matter what language (or languages) you use during your Erasmus exchange, there is no doubt you will improve your communication skills in a foreign language. IV. 8 There are many students who feel that they have lost their motivation at a certain point in their student life. I am pretty sure that this has happened or will happen to most of us. Well, an Erasmus semester or year is beyond doubt — certainly — a huge source of inspiration for your future plans and maybe a real turning point for your future career. Taking a break and stepping off the beaten track of your home town and home university might be the best solution to this problem. Vv. 9 Many students study in their home towns and, therefore, they are still living with parents or other relatives. Studying abroad offers you the chance to see what it means to manage those chores that a responsible adult deals with every day. Afterwards, you become more independent and free, especially because you have to do all that in a forcign environment and deal with different people and mentalities. When you come back home everything will be a piece of cake VL. 10 Friendship is something universal in human nature, regardless of language, culture, religion, or ethnicity. It’s a wonderful thing to know you have friends beyond the borders of your country, whom you can always visit or who can come to visit you. You will always have a lot to share, even though you don’t see each other every day VIL 11 This one is pretty straightforward (simple). Once you start studying abroad for your exchange program, travelling becomes a part of everyday life. After all, it would be such a pity not to set money aside and go visit some neighboring countries or explore everything your host country has to offer. And if you are still not convinced, simply keep in mind that no Erasmus student comes back home disappointed or regretting this decision. For further information on the Erasmus” Exchange Program, among many other websites you can also visit these: http://ico.metu.edu.tr/ http//esn.org/ Adapted from: http://www topuniversities.com/blog/7-reasons-participate-erasmus-exchange-program 2IV. READING FOR GIST Skim the text What Is It About the Erasmus Program? and match the titles below with the paragraphs 5 to 11. Write the corresponding answer in the correct blank. A. Making friends from all over the world Experiencing what studying abroad means Becoming more responsible individuals Learning and practicing a foreign language Traveling more mmoae Receiving financial support G. Becoming inspired and motivated V. GUESSING MEANING FROM CONTEXT Guess the meanings of the words by looking at the text. 1. “involved in” in para. | probably means: a) participating in b) not included ©) removed from Clue: 2. “fascinated” in para. 2 probably means: a) bored b) worried ¢) attracted Clue: 3. “fluent” in para. 3 probably means: being Clue: 4. “inspiring” in para. 3 probably means: a) encouraging b) depressing ©) boring Clue: 5. “expenses” in para. 6 probably means: a) damages b) costs ©) losses Clue: 6. “beyond doubt” in para. 8 probably means: Clue: 7. “independent” in para. 9 probably means: Clue: 28VI. READING FOR DETAILED UNDERSTANDING Read the text carefully and answer the questions that follow. 1. How did the writer find out about the Erasmus Program? 2. “bucket list” in paragraph 2 probably means: a) a group of containers b) a to-do list before you die 3. According to paragraph 5, how does studying abroad with Erasmus help students with their future decisions? 4. How do host universities contribute to students” language development? 5. “(step) off the beaten track” in paragraph 8 probably means: a) doing something in a different way b) doing the same thing over again 6. What problem does the writer mention in paragraph 8? 7. Isomething is a “a piece of cake” (paragraph 9), itis: a) difficult todo b) easy to do 8. In what way does studying abroad make a person more responsible? 9. At the end of the text, the writer claims: “And if you are still not convinced, simply keep in mind that no Erasmus student comes back home disappointed or regretting this decision.” Do you agree with the writer? Explain using your own words. 29VII. PARAPHRASING Fill in the blanks with the missing information from the text. 1. Read para. 6 and fi the blanks with the information from the text. The grant that Erasmus gives depends on a) and b) Although students know that not ¢) will be covered, the grant is still helpful, and itis d) for students from places like Eastern Europe. 2, Read para, 10 and the blank with the information from the text. Even if your traditions, beliefs, language or race are different, a) is universal, ic. it is common to everyone. By joining an Erasmus program, you make friends abroad, and although you don’t get to see each other often, you know that you b). each other and c) lots of things. VIII. VOCABULARY PRACTICE Fill in the blanks with the words from the box. Do not change their forms. There are more words than you need. head confusion fluent involved expenses inspiring grant Taunched independent host Erasmus*, which was initially 1), in 1987, is the EU program for education, training, youth and sport. One of its aims is to develop the skills of university students by taking their studies overseas for between three and 12 months. It’s your chance to continue your academic life in a new environment and experience a different culture. ‘There are 33 countries that are 2) in the program. Most of the universities or colleges in these countries have an agreement with each other, and provide students with a/an 3), This financial aid makes life in a new environment much easier. Whether you are considering becoming more 4) in another language, meeting new people, or just getting to know a new culture, Erasmus” will, beyond doubt, have something 5). for you, and your view on life will be different from then on. So once you've decided on the course you want to study, the work you want to do, the creative project you want to pursue, now comes the slightly more tricky business of actually making it happen Arranging your 6) , including travel and accommodation costs, updating all your travel documents, and getting the right vaccinations and visas can all seem worrying and can cause some 7) Regardless of all these issues, with a little planning, it can go smoothly, and you are one step closer to setting out on your adventure. Adapted from: lips-/www britshcouneil org/study-work-create/opportunity/study-abroad/erasmus ps / www. britisheounei_org/study-work-create IX. DISCUSSION 1. Have you or any of your friends taken part in the Erasmus” Exchange Program? Explain. 2. Ifnot, would you like to participate in the program? What would you like to do? 30TEXT 3 A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE 1. PREVIEWING THE TOPIC 1, Have you ever been abroad? If so, have you had any problems because of cultural differences? 2. What are the most commonly-known differences among cultures? 3. What about Turkish culture? What may surprise or cause problems for foreigners when they come to Turkey? 4. Do cultural differences make life harder or more enjoyable? In what way? II. PREVIEWING VOCABULARY ‘The words and phrases below appear the text. Study the examples below and match the bold words and phrases with a suitable definition from the box. 1 2, Flexibility and respect are very important for successful cross-cultural communication, Most people have started to understand the significance of knowing foreign languages for travel, education and trade. For people in northern European countries, it’s important to keep your personal space because they don’t like it when others are too close to them while chatting. Ways of greeting people are different in most countries as they depend on the specific culture Most body language has universal meanings. In other words, people in different cultures understand similar messages from the same body movements. He wasn’t dressed appropriately for the meeting. Everyone was wearing a suit, but he was in aplain T-shirt and jeans. She always shows sensitivity to her foreign students. She tries to understand their cultures, respects them and tolerates cultural differences very easily. Gestures — body movements done with the head, fingers, or arms — may have very different meanings in different cultures, so you should be really careful with them if you don’t want to cause offence. In countries like Sweden, you should be careful not to invade people’s personal space during a conversation, because when you are too close to them, they feel uncomfortable and disturbed. (agj,) relating to everyone in the world, general (adv.) in a correct and suitable way (adj.) belonging to or involving two or more different cultures (n.) importance (v.) to be influenced by or to be based on (something) (v coll.) to upset someone by saying or doing something rude (n,) the ability to understand other people’s feelings and problems without upsetting them (n.) the physical distance that you like to keep between you and the others (v.) to be physically too close to somebody and make him / her fee! uncomfortable re empeapse 31II. READING FOR GIST Skim the text and match the titles below with the suitable paragraphs. Write the corresponding letter in the correct blank above each paragraph. There is an extra item. A. The key to successful communication among cultures B. The effect of culture on personal space C. Similarities in showing specific feelings D. People’s interest in the comparison of cultural differences E. The importance of similarities over differences F. Examples of posture and gestures in different countries G. Differences in social gatherings such as weddings or parties People love to compare and contrast. In other words, they enjoy looking at similarities and differences. In most parts of Britain, you buy your bus ticket on the bus. In France, you buy it at a metro station. In Australia, you can buy it at a newsagent. We all find this kind of comparison entertaining. Books on cross-cultural communication exploit our curiosity by focusing on differences between people across the world in social behaviour, the roles they adopt in society, their attitudes to money, the significance of their body language, and so on. 2. Proxemics, the study of different standards of personal space, is one example. How close I stand to someone when I am speaking to them depends not only (ita ‘on my relationship to them, but also on my culture. This is important, because if the person I am with is not used to standing as near as I do when we are talking to each other, they might feel uncomfortable. Statistics tell us that the average distance at which two people stand in a social context — neighbours chatting for example — is anything between 1.2 metres and 3.5 metres. In Latin 7 cultures (South America, Italy, etc.) and also in China this distance is usually i smaller, while in Nordic cultures (Sweden, Denmark, ete.) people usually stand waxcuago is veer ROTECTE 5 ‘OF HS PERSONAL SPACE!” further apart. 3 ‘The messages sent by your posture (the way you position your body when you are sitting or standing) and gestures is another case in point. For example, it is quite common in European countries to sit with your legs crossed and the top foot outstretched. However, as I know from personal experience, people in Arab countries almost never sit in this way — because they might show you the bottom of their shoe, and this is a serious insult. It is said that in the Philippines, people often greet each other by raising their eyebrows quickly. In the USA, this is a sign of surprise. 324. Such information fills the pages of guides for travellers and international business people, but I would really question the usefulness of what are presented as ‘essential’ or ‘must-know’ facts. Clearly, it is important to know a little about eating customs, tipping, and the rules concerning basic greetings — whether you should bow or shake someone’s hand. However, beneath the surface, we are not so different. There are many signs that are universal in the emotions that they communicate. Focusing on these similarities - the things that we all have in common — is a much more profitable route than focusing on the differences. In other words, it benefits people more, 5 Smiling is the best-known of these, but not the only one. Behaviourists have proven that all over the world, people show sadness in similar ways. The face ‘falls’: the mouth becomes downturned and the eyes begin to look glassy. The person will probably look down or away and seem unable to concentrate. ‘There are also common factors when people are bored. They will look at other things in a distracted way — their watches, for example. Their feet will begin to move restlessly, indicating that they want to escape; they tap! their fingers or scratch? their heads. Anger can also be read quite easily: the facial muscles tense up, or become tight, often causing people to frown’; the eyes stare’, fixing themselves on the target of their anger; blood rushes to the face, causing it to become red. Ifthe anger is great, the body will also tense up as if preparing itself for a physical fight, 6. Understanding these universal signals and reacting appropriately is the real key to cross-cultural communication. If we all apply just a little sensitivity and common sense, it is unlikely that we will cause lasting offence by making the wrong gesture or invading a stranger’s personal space. Of course some cultures show their emotions more openly, and others prefer to keep them more hidden, but isn’t that also the case within cultures, from one individual to another? Adapted from http://www.ngllife.com/contentreading-texts-word “tap (x): to hit something lightly witha finger or hand. scratch (v): to move your fingernails backwards and forwards across your skin, frown (v) to lower your eyebrows, causing lines to appear on your forehead “stare (v): to look intensely end for a long time at something 3BIv.Gt ‘SSING MEANING FROM CONTEXT Guess the meanings of the words below by looking at the text. Choose the best alternative. 1. “exploit” in paragraph 1 probably means: a) to use something fully to your advantage b) to give examples of something 2. “adopt” in paragraph 1 probably means a) to change in a better way b) to accept and start using something 3. “attitude” in paragraph | probably means: a) the opinions and feelings you have bout something b) the need for something 4, “insult” in paragraph 3 probably means: a) rude and offensive speech or behavior b) a sign of warning for others 5. “common sense” in paragraph 6 probably means: a) a traditional belief that is only true in one area b) the natural ability to be practical and make good decisions Y. READING FOR DETAILED UNDERSTANDING A. Read the text carefully and fill in the gaps in the table with the necessary information from the text. Use maximum three words. DIFFERENCES EXAMPLES BUYING TICKETS * In Britain: you buy your bus ticket 1) * In2) : you buy it at a metro station. * In Australia: you can buy it 3) PERSONAL SPACE * In Latin cultures + China: the distance between people is 4) than in Nordic cultures. * In Nordic cultures: people usually stand 5) BODY LANGUAGE _ | Posture: + In European countries: people often sit with their legs crossed and the top foot outstretched. * In Arab countries: people almost never sit in this way because showing the bottom of their shoe is 6) Gesture: © In the Philippines: it is usual for people to greet others by 2, quickly. ¢ In the USA: this is a 8) 34,SIMILARITIES ‘SHOWING FEELINGS = Smiling «Feeling 9) ‘The face ‘falls’. The person will probably look down or away and seem distracted © Being 10) ‘They will look at other things ~ their watches, for example. They tap their fingers or scratch their heads + Being 11) ‘The facial muscles become tight, often causing people to frown; the eyes stare; blood rushes to the face causing it to become red. B. Read the text and answer the questions that follow. 1. According to paragraph 1, what kind of information do books usually give for cross-cultural differences? 2. What two factors affect the amount of personal space between people? 3. What does “shey” in paragraph 4 refer to? 4. According to paragraph 4, why does the writer suggest focusing on similarities instead of differences? 5. According to paragraph 6, what does the writer advise for successful cross-cultural communication? 6. How cana person cause offence ina different culture? 7. What does “others” in paragraph 6 refer to? 35VI. VOCABULARY PRACTICE Fill in the blanks with the words from the box. Do not change their forms. There are more words than you need. insult attitude personal space adopt exploit ‘common sense significance universal depend sensitivity 1. His children’s books have messages. That is, he targets all the children in the world. 2. Some politicians the media for their own benefit to gain popularity and power. 3. Cleaning your dinner plate is a big, in many Asian countries because leaving food on the plate shows that you are full and you like the food. 4, If you are in an unfamiliar environment and you don't know the social rules, just use your to make decisions. 5. Having a positive to people makes communication easier. 6. People should a flexible approach o communication when they visit a different country. They should be open to use whatever method works best. 7. Tipping rules usually on the country. For example, in some countries, you have to tip the waiter while in others, it is optional 8. Posture, gestures and the like have great for communication. VIL. DISCUSSION ink about your own culture now. Give examples for each category in terms of similarities and EXAMPLES Personal space Posture and gestures Social behaviours (eg. greeting, visiting someone's house) Showing feelings Others Eg. In Turkey, when people welcome you to their house, they usually hug and kiss you to show their friendly attitude, This 1s different from most cultures in North America and Europe. 36TEXT 1: CHINESE CULTURE Paragraph © to boast sth (v) to boast about sth. (v). ‘* aprofound culture (ad)) © adiverse culture (adj) © aunique culture (adj) Paragraph 3 ‘© the Shang Dynasty (n) the Imperial Era (n) the beginning of an era ty (n) ‘© political stabil ACTIVE VOCABULARY UNIT 1: CULTURE Paragraph 4 © aregion’s national / cultural heritage (n) Paragraph 7 + to utilize sth (n) * to contribute to the promotion of sth (n) Paragraph 8 exquisite cooking (adj) * tobe protected by the constitution (n) TEXT 2: WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE ERASMUS PROGRAM? Paragraph ‘+ to launch a program (v) to be launched in 1987 © tobe involved in sth (adj) Paragraph 2 ‘+ to fascinate sb (v) to be fascinated by sb/sth Paragraph 3 ‘© to be fluent in a language (adj) © tohead to aplace (v) «an inspiring experience (adj) Paragraph 5 * to lead to / cause confusion (n) Paragraph 6 + toreceive a grant (n) to give sba grant ‘© tocover the expenses (n) Paragraph 7 * ahost university / nation (adi) to host sb (v)/ to be a host (n) © areal great / important asset (n) Paragraph 8 * to lose motivation (n) beyond doubt (adv. phrase) Paragraph 9 * tobe / become independent (n) Paragraph 10 © regardless of sth (adv. phrase) 37TEXT 3: A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE Paragraph 1 + cross-cultural communication (adj) to exploit sb / sth (v) to exploit somebody’s curiosity /feelings (beliefs © to-adopt sth (v) to adopt an approach / attitude / policy or role (to sth) «have a positive / negative attitude to / towards sb /sth (n) «the significance of sth (n) (understand) the significance of body language to have (great) significance to be significant (adj.) significantly (adv.) Paragraph 2 ‘+ personal space (n) to keep your personal space ‘© to depend on sb/sth (v) Paragraph 3 * abig// serious insult (n) Paragraph 4 © auniversal language / meaning / message (adi) Paragraph 6 * to react / behave/ dress appropriately (adv) an appropriate behavior/ option ete. + to show / apply sensiti jity (n) + to apply/ use common sense (n) * to cause offence (v) + to invade sb’s persona | space (v) 38UNIT2 HE PARTI READING STRATEGIES ¢ Finding Main Ideas @ Dictionary Use = Identifying Parts of Speech = Thesaurus = Collocations PARTIE = READING 1: Nicotine Facts READING 2: Eating Disorders READING 3: Reasons Why Cellphones Are Bad For You Active Vocabulary List 39FINDING MAIN IDEAS Every text, whether it is a paragraph or a longer piece of writing, has a topic and a main idea (central thought or message), and while reading, itis important to determine these before dealing with the details A topic and a main idea are two different things. The topi © Itis the general subject of the entire paragraph, or text. ‘© To find the topic, you ask yourself: What is the paragraph about or what is the writer discussing in this paragraph? © Itis usually a single word or phrase. _Itis the most important point, or message of the writer. © Itincludes the topic ¢- Itis usually a statement / a full sentence. + Itis often given in the first sentence of a paragraph, or the introduction part of a text, but it may sometimes be given in the last paragraph, as well. ‘+ Sometimes it is not given explicitly, but all the details in a paragraph support one central idea, which the reader can understand, infer Exampl There are gender differences in adolescents' satisfaction with their bodies. Compared with boys, girls are usually less happy with their bodies and have more negative body images. Also, as puberty proceeds, girls often become even more dissatisfied with their bodies. This is probably because their body fat increases. In contrast, boys become more satisfied as they move through puberty, probably because their muscle mass increases. 1, What is the topic of this paragraph? a) girls’ negative body images b) problems faced during the adolescence ©) adolescents’ satisfaction with their bodies The answer is c because a only mentions girls, and b is too general for this paragraph 2. What is the main idea of the paragraph? a) The increasing amount of fat in their bodies makes girls unhappy during the puberty. b) Girls and boys in adolescence are different in terms of their satisfaction with their bodies. ©) Puberty is the most difficult period in a person’s life The answer is b because it is the most important message that the writes gives us. Option a is a supporting idea only, and c is not mentioned in the paragraph. 40Practice 1. Read the following paragraphs and choose the main idea. Some students can create beautiful pieces of visual art. Others are gifted in sports. Some play a musical instrument so well that listening touches chords within. A few may thrill to the challenge of mathematical precision, Some may have a special understanding of the natural world. Others may love writing. Several may be natural leaders offering positive role models and trusted guidance to their classmates. Anda few may possess personal insights about who they are and what they stand for, while pursuing important life goals. Among the students mentioned, who would be the most intelligent? The question is impossible to answer because each of the examples represents students who have developed different intelligences Each student can be unique and smart in a different way and all offer valuable contributions to human culture in individual ways 1. The main idea of the paragraph is that a) some students are more successful than others in their school life b) each student is intelligent in a different way from the others ©) itis really easy to understand which students are more intelligent During World War I, a number of severe shortages alerted the world’s scientists to the need for synthetic, ‘or man-made materials. Thus, by 1934, a research team headed by Wallace H. Carothers had developed the first synthetic fiber, called nylon. As it tumed out, the development of nylon had a surprisingly profound effect on world affairs. True, its first use was in fashion, and in 1939, the Dupont Company began marketing sheer nylon stockings for women. Nylons were a spectacular hit and sold off the shelves almost immediately. But they disappeared with the coming of World War II, as nylon became essential to the war effort. It was used in everything from parachutes and ropes, to insulation and coat linings. Sadly, Carothers never witnessed the impact of his creation. He committed suicide two years before the first pair of nylons ever went on sale. 2. The main idea of the paragraph is that a) nylon was originally used for the fashion industry. b) there was a great need for synthetic materials during World War IL ¢) nylon influenced world affairs although it was first used in fashion. Until a person is about 19, the brain continues to grow, adding new cells every year. After that, until the end of life, the brain slowly dies, losing several thousand brain cells every day. After the age of 27, the body becomes weaker. It is harder to recover from injuries, but much easier to get injured. The muscles lose their ability to stretch. However, by far the worst part of getting old is that we become prone to diseases that seem to accompany aging naturally: heart diseases, cancer, arthritis or strokes. 3. The main idea of the paragraph is that a) old age is a time of much wisdom and experience. b) staying in shape is important after age thirty. ¢) growing older brings on many physical problems. 41Since we Americans are a blend of people from many countries, we have a very short history which can properly be called “American.” Therefore, itis hard to find characteristics which apply to all Americans. We combine many extremes from many different cultures. Nevertheless, we can make some generalizations. Our main characteristics include individuality, a combination of idealism and practicality, materialism and a lack of parental influences, all of which are part of our lives. 4, The main idea of the paragraph is that a) despite their short history, Americans have some common characteristics b) American people give importance to both idealism and practicality. c) unlike other nations, Americans don’t have any common characteristics. Modem-day families are buying more than ever before. For example, the typical American family today ‘owns more goods than the one which existed fifty years ago. They have second cars and televisions, DVDs, MP3 players, kitchen appliances and clothing that exceed the living space they have. As the income of today’s family has inereased, so has the number and frequency of purchases. 5. The main idea of the paragraph is that a) American people didn’t like shopping in the past. b) Electronic items and cars are very popular among American people. ©) Families are buying more today as they earn more money. References ‘Cian, N, Cavusoglu, C & Sahin, V (2002), Read to comprehend write to react. Ankara, Metu Press. Practice 2: Read the following paragraphs and choose the main idea. 1. Although there is ample amount of scientific evidence that women should not smoke when they are pregnant, many future mothers ignore the potential dangers of smoking during pregnancy. Not only are these mothers endangering the physical health of their babies, but they also could be contributing to even more problems in the future. In addition to the known problems, recent studies have linked mothers” smoking during pregnancy with sons who become criminals as adults. Researchers in Finland followed over 5,000 males and their mothers from the time the mothers were six months pregnant until the young men were 28 years old. Compared to sons whose mothers did not smoke during pregnancy, those young men whose birth mothers did smoke were more than twice as likely to commit criminal acts. The researchers theorized that smoking during pregnancy may alter the chemical balance in the baby’s brain. This recent information, in addition to the amount of evidence available for years, should be a warming sign to pregnant women who smoke. a) Smoking during pregnancy is very common b) Smoking during pregnancy causes health problems in babies. c) Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of sons becoming criminals. 42Marie Curie is not only the first woman to have won a Nobel Prize, she is also the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different fields of science. Most notably, however, Marie Curie discovered radiation, She was also the first person to use radiation to treat tumors. Curie experimented extensively with radioactivity during her scientific career. Unfortunately, the damaging effects of radiation were not known then. Her exposure to radiation was most likely the cause of her blindness and early death. Still today, her scientific papers ate considered too dangerous to handle without protective equipment. These documents are stored in lead-lined boxes. Even her cookbook is radioactive. She must have made some really hot food in her lifetime. a) Marie Cure is the only person to have won a Nobel Prize in two different sciences. b) Scientists have to use protective equipment while working on Curie’s scientific papers. c) Marie Curie did amazing work with radiation, which sadly cost her life Later. Every spring, we used to escape from the bitter cold of the Northeast to visit the tropical island resort and enjoy the sun and crystal blue water. It was a perfect time to watch the far-off sails of the fishing boats, run our fingers through the fine, powdery sand on our private beach, listen to soothing music, or simply read a favorite novel for hours. It was paradise! We were determined to recapture this unforgettable experience every year. And we did, until the spring of 2001, when the island resort came under attack by visiting masses of wild spring-breakers. No longer did we have our beach to ourselves; we now could easily hit the volleyball from our beach chairs, share in the “joys” of noisy rock music, and fight for a glimpse of the water through the crowds of people having fun. It is amazing how a paradise can change a) The island has become a paradise. b) The island resort has changed for the worse. ¢) The Northeast is very cold in the spring. Sometimes it is a money issue: too many credit cards to pay off or lack of scholarships or other college aid, Sometimes it is a child-care problem: the cost of care, the lack of reliable centers, or transportation to get the children there. Sometimes it is the demands of the hours spent at work, which leave little time for class. All of these reasons and more often stand in the way of women returning to college, yet many women are finding ways to achieve their goal of a higher education. Some of the monetary concerns are being addressed by financial-aid counselors who help these women find funding sources. In addition, many of the women are enrolling in community colleges, where the tuition is generally more affordable. Colleges are also helping by recognizing the need for on-site daycare centers and by using students from their education departments to help at the centers. Finally, employers are investing in having working women return to the classroom by providing time to attend class during the work day or by supplementing the cost of taking courses. With these resources, perhaps even more women will be able to return to school. a) It is not easy for women to return to college b) There are ways for women to return to college to get a higher education, ©) Women cannot return to college due to monetary reasons. 435. For many individuals suffering from a reading disability, the use of colored plastic overlays on books can produce dramatic improvement. Studies conducted at the University of New Orleans found about 80 percent of individuals with specific visual defects responded positively to this simple procedure. ‘The use of colored overlays, particularly blue and gray, seems to reduce the contrast between the print and background, thus reducing distortions of the written matcrial. The study cautioned, however, that there are individual differences in the effects of using different colors, so each reader should be carefully tested, a) Colored plastic overlays on books seem to help people with visual defects b) Some colors reduce the contrast between the print and the background. ©) 80% of individuals have visual defects. 6. Itis common knowledge that the Titanic, the unsinkable ship launched in 1912, did indeed sink. The horror of what the passengers experienced has been explored in books, on film, and on the stage. Some did live to tell the story of that dreadful day, when an iceberg hit the queen of the seas near Newfoundland and punched a hole in the main body of the magnificent craft. Could the accident have been prevented? Could the lives of the passengers and crew have been saved by having a more alert first mate? Recent diving explorations to the remains of the ship have revealed some startling news: the ship was not destined to sink even afler hitting the iceberg. The findings suggest the real cause of the sinking of the Titanic was faulty rivets, or bolts, which held the sea doors shut. When the ship hit the iceberg, the rivets loosened and permitted water to enter, very likely causing the ship to sink. a) The Titanic was thought to be unsinkable. b)_Itwas possible to prevent the Titanic from sinking ¢) How the Titanic sank has been explored in the media,DICTIONARY USE There is a wide range of dictionaries aimed at learners of different levels. Choosing the right dictionary is essential when you are learning new words. Sometimes it is better to choose the dictionary that your department or instructor recommends because this helps maintain a consistent style and understanding among everyone using them. ‘There is a lot of discussion going on about online and desk (print) dictionaries. However, whichever you prefer, both types are useful. In order to make the best of the dictionary of choice, some aspects should be taken into consideration. I. Understanding the lavout: dictionaries have different layouts; that is, the way the entries (words) are arranged. By looking through the pages, their websites, or even their apps, users can decide which dictionary is the most suitable for them. IL. Knowing what the abbreviations and symbols stand for: users should take the time to understand what the abbreviations stand for because this will help them make the most out of the dictionary and understand the details within the entry. PRACTICE 1: Guess what the abbreviations and symbols below mean and match them with their definition. verb #) hap: py /“hepi/ eee 1] Wiladjective (comparative happier, superlative happiest) ) © ad: just />'dgast/ threat-en /"Oretn/ #0 [S3][W2] verb ) ©) fa-vou-rite UK US favorite UK /'fer.var.t/ US /"fet.var.at/ adjective [only before noun] "@) ) sce! /si:/ ee Bi] Wi] verb (past rense saw /so: § sv:/, past participle seen /si:n/) @) ©) knife! /nait/ ee §3][W3]noun (plural knives /naivz/) [countable] @) Nhs a) Gives information on the frequency of the items: low, medium, or high 2) fsa b) Shows that the word is from the Academie Word List [s2| [s3] 3) UK ©) Gives the frequency of words used in written language 4) us 4) Shows how to pronounce words in British and American English 5) e) Shows the word is American English £) Gives the frequency of words used in spoken language 7 [wi 2) Shows the word is British English [wa] lw3| 8) e00 h) Separates British and American pronunciations: British on the lefi, American on the right 4sIII. Identifving parts of speech: being able to identify whether an unknown word is a noun, verb, adjective, etc. can help users narrow down their search for meaning, Example: Studies have shown that secondhand smoke can cause serious breathing problems for the non- smoker. Ifyoudo not know what part of speech “smoke” is in the sentence, you will see that there are two entries. @ noun form and a verb form. Once you identify it, finding the correct definition becomes much easier. In this instance, “smoke” is a noun and it means white, grey, or black gas that is produced by something burning. Review of Basic Parts of Speech PART OF SPEECH [BASIC FUNCTION EXAMPLES ‘noun ‘names a person, place, or thing ‘bag, desk, Caribbean pronoun takes the place of a noun J, you, he, she, it, ours, them, who verb identifies action or state of being, ‘sing, dance, believe, be adjective ‘modifies a noun ‘hot, lazy, funny ‘modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb softly, lazily, often, hard, very ver ‘adverb oftly, lazily, often, hard, very reposition showsa relationship between noun (OF 4 er, against by; for, on at Prep pronoun) and other words in a sentence |“?* OV" a8ainst Py: for, on, ‘conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses ‘and, but, or, yet, because article identifies and specifies a noun 4, an, the PRACTICE 2 Part A. Read the following passage, identify the parts of speech of the words written in bold and write them (adj., adv., v., n. or conj.) in the blanks. T. was quinged (1) in Milan, Ohio, in 1847, and grew up in Port Huron, Michigan. He went to fiekel (2) for a short maser (3) His gaga (4) hudgered (5), him how to nader (6), and write. T. was a very duggery (7) person, He dabed (8), many goint (9) jongincents (10) He precked (11) very little maser (12) with his family uffisio (13) he worked very (14), on his hinconts (15), jongincents (17) included the phonograph and posfer paleries (18) He is best known for jongineing (19) the hift kung (20) In the 1870s, many jongincers (21) were trying to dabe (22) a practical hhift kung (23) T. morinely (24) zaptotied (25) different options and he bastily (26) jonginced (27) the hift kung (28) 46Part B. Now, match the nonsense words with those in the box so that the passage makes sense. Pay attention to the part of speech of each word. (Some words may be used more than once). because [invented | inventors [make [studied | hard time Tight bulb made rojects | inventing | born important proj is Ps finally | spent stomge batteries read school | inventions [clever [mother [taught | carefully Part C. It is a short biography of a famous person in history. Can you guess who the person is? PRACTICE 3: Do the task using a desk/online dictionary. 1. Ineed some time to adjust to my new class and school. a) What part of speech is the word “adjust”? b) Which definition is suitable? Write it down 2. When I received the Nobel Prize, it was the happiest day of my life a) What part of speech is the word “happy”? b) Whatis its form? ©) Which definition is suitable? Write it down 3. Greenpeace has been working hard to promote awareness of the dangers that threaten our planet today. However, in order to reduce these threats, officials and citizens should also assume responsibility. a) What patt of speech is each bold word? b) Which definition is suitable for each word? Write it down. 47PRACTICE 4: Identify the part of speech of the words in bold. Study the dictionary entries. Then find the corresponding meaning of the words and write them down in the space provided. ‘Theodore Robert Bundy wasa known serial killer. Responsible for the deaths of thirty-six young women and girls, Ted Bundy was a bright and handsome young law student who had a happy life until he lost control of his lust for killing. In 1975, Bundy was arrested and imprisoned for kidnapping and attacking Carol Da Ronch, one of the few women able to escape from him. In early 1977, Bundy made his first escape and was captured eight days later. In December 1977, Bundy escaped prison for the second time. He left Colorado to start a new life in Florida and, perhaps, stop killing. His plan failed. On the night of January 14", Bundy sexually attacked four young women sadistically at the women’s dorm at Florida State University, killing two and seriously injuring the others. After hiding for a few weeks, Bundy struck again. Sexually wanting more, he abdueted and murdered twelve-year-old Kimberly Leach before finally being apprehended by the police. He was executed in the electric-chair in 1989. Part A: Follow the steps to find definitions from dictionary entries. 1. “serial”: a) Look up the word “serial”. How many parts of speech are there? b) What are they? ©) What part of speech is the word “serial” in this text? d) How many definitions are there? e) Which definition best suits the meaning in the sentence? Write it down. 1) What helped you? Explain. 2. “lust” a) Look up the word “lust”. How many parts of speech are there? b) What are they? ¢) What part of speech is the word “lust” in this text? d) How many definitions are there? ¢) Which definition best suits the meaning in the sentence? Write it down. 1) What helped you? Explain. 3. “imprisoned”. a) Look at the text. What part of speech is the word “imprisoned”? b) What helped you? Explain. c) Look it up in the dictionary. How many definitions are there? d) Which definition best suits the meaning in the sentence? Write it down Part B: Use the same steps above to find the part of speech and correct definition of the following words in the text. 1 “seriously”: (_) 2.“struck”: (_) 3.“abducted”: (_) 4.“apprehended”:(_) 5."executed”:( ) 4g,WHAT IS A THESAURUS? ‘This is another type of dictionary which is used to find synonyms and related words in general. Some even give the opposite meanings, ie. their antonyms. Since present dictionaries have started giving collocations in their entries, thesauri are not widely printed anymore. However, there are many online sources that can be used. Example: invite: 1. ask, beg, bid, call, request, request the pleasure of (someone’s) company, solicit, summon 2. allure, ask for (Inf. attract, bring on, court, draw, encourage, entice, lead, leave the door open to, provoke, solicit, tempt, weleame ‘Why should you use a thesaurus? > To leam the meaning of a word: Sometimes, the definition of the word which you are looking for may not be clear enough. By looking up that word in a thesaurus, you can find other words that might help you understand the meaning. > Toproduce beiter written work: It is always better to use a variety of words when you are writing, It makes your writing more effective, powerful and interesting. > Toparaphrase (rewrite): When you are summarizing a text from another writer, a thesaurus helps you find suitable words. This prevents plagiarism. However, in a thesaurus not all the synonyms are the exact equivalent. Therefore, you need to make sure that you check both the definition and collocation before you use it Example: ‘My head says one thing, but my heart says another! Let's follow the tips given above. I. The part of speech is a noun 2. Look it up in an online or desk thesaurus. 3. There are 6 different meanings of “head” Top part of an animate (living) body Leader Top part Front, beginning Intelligence Turning point Sean ee 49The definition that is closest to the original word is ‘e’, i.e. intelligence. You may think that the word ‘intelligence’ may be a suitable collocation. However, do not forget that it is the definition, and it may not be a suitable replacement. You should look at the list of words which follow it 4. Some of the words listed under e. intelligence: mind, brain, faculty, genius, intellect. 5. Mind, brain and intellect collocate with the example sentence above. This means that you can replace head with one of these words. ‘My mind/ brain/ intellect says one thing, but my heart says another!’ WHAT IS A COLLOCATION? Collocations are two or more words that are often used together. Although they sound natural to the native speaker, language learners may not be able to understand why certain words or word groups go together while others do not. For example, you can ask for a strong coffee, but not a powerful coffee. ‘The latter sounds unnatural. You make a mistake, not do a mistake. You describe your personal life as your private life, but not special life. Learning collocations is very important in improving reading, as the brain perceives and stores information in chunks, i.e., in groups of words, not as single items. Thus, knowledge of collocations not only makes it easier to understand the texts and remember the words, but it also helps to produce written texts. PRACTICES Ex. 1) Study the collocations in the table. Then, complete the text on the next page with the appropriate collocations from the table. * Noun + verb: a problem arises/ comes up/ occurs/ exists/ remains! faces smo/ lies in smt © Verb + noun: do ] more harm than good one’s best cause/ create/ provoke/ avoid/ prevent/ end/ resolve/ settle/ solve conflict * Adjective + noun: a(n) important/ urgent/ unintentional/ short/ coded/ secret/ text message in-depth/ further/ collaborative/ academic! clinical/ scientific/ recent/ AIDS research Noun +noun: job/life/ customer/ patient satisfaction = Verb + adverb: handle efficiently competenth/ skillfully/ suecessfully/ badly/ carefully/ easily! © Adverb + verb: “firmiy/ really/ seriously/ sincerely/ mistakenly believe «© Adverb + adjective: ‘overly/ intimately/ very! actively/ directly/ personally inyolved + Noun be referred to as smt Adjective | + preposi take care of oneself Verb have conflict with someone 50Parents want to be supportive and (1) their best for their children once the children start college. However, some parents fail to distinguish between being supportive and over- parenting, and become overprotective and (2) involved in their children’s lives. They G). believe that if they remove all the obstacles from their children’s lives, the children will develop successfully and reach their full potential. This approach to child-rearingis referred (4) as “helicopter parenting.” (5), research has shown that helicopter parents do their children more harm (6) When parents, especially mothers, constantly call or text their children and friend them on social media to follow, they somehow send an (7), message - that they are not competent enough to (8), care of themselves. These children usually have low levels of self-efficacy. In addition, whenever children have conflict (9) their friends, helicopter parents interfere and try to (10) it themselves rather than letting their children solve their own problems ‘Therefore, children feel frustrated later when problems (11) or they are faced with situations that they can’t handle (12) Overall, children of helicopter parents are reported to have higher levels of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of (13), satisfaction and physical health. Ex. 2) Fill in the gaps below with suitable words. You may have to refer to a dictionary to find the correct collocations. Be careful with the forms of the words. 1. The meeting took almost five hours so it was impossible to attention all the time. 2. Sales have increased significantly since he took the company from his father. It took us all day to clean up the office after the burglary — the thieves had a terrible mess. 4. I don't think we should a decision yet; we should wait Only 31% of the students who the final exam passed it. 6. I think we should look for a new supplier — the one we have at the moment is us too many problems. 7. Could you me a favour and post these letters on your way home? 8. I've told him ten times that he's got the wrong telephone number. Ill crazy if he calls again. 9. The company offers its employees free language training but not many people advantage of it 10. Our personnel assistant is leaving next month - she's ababy. Adapted from http://speakspeak. com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/intermediate-grammar-exercise-collocations SLTEXT 1 NICOTINE FACTS 1. PREVIEWING THE TOPIC 1 2. 3 4. Do you smoke? If so, are you a heavy smoker or a social smoker? What is the difference? ‘What are some of the reasons why people smoke? ‘What are the effects of smoking on people? Are there any positive ones, do you think? ‘Why can’t people easily quit, of stop, smoking? I. PREVIEWING VOCABULARY ‘The words and phrases below appear in the text. Study the examples and match each bold word with a suitable definition from the box. 10. If you continually criticize children, you can seriously under 1. The disease was spreading more rapidly than expected, so the doctors moved the operation to an earlier date. (para. 1) 2. The government says itis trying to do more to inform the public about the consequences of drug abuse, (para. 1) 3. The problem with video games is that they are ad playing them. (para. 2) fe. After some time, you can’t stop 4. Iron-rich foods, such as red meat and beans, stimulate the production of red blood cells in the body. (para. 2) 5. Undergoing massage therapy or acupuncture leads to the release of endorphin in the body, which helps to relieve stress and block pain. (para. 2) 6. Individuals who smoke require 35 mg more Vitamin C per day than nonsmokers because the effectiveness of that vitamin is decreased by nicotine. (para. 3) 7. Inthe initial stages of the disease, patients usually start losing weight and their bodies become weaker. (para. 3) 8 When you first stop taking caffeine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, sleepiness, and lack of concentration. (para. 4) 9. Some fast-food companies in the US deliberately add artificial ingredients and chemicals to their food to make their customers addicted to their products and thus to increase their sales. (para. 4) ¢ their confidence. (para. 4) @) (adv, done in a way that was planned, on purpose, not by chance b) (adv.) happening in a short time; quickly ©) (adj) happening at the beginning, first 4) (a) the use of something in a bad, harmful, or wrong way e) (a.) the act of allowing a substance or chemical to flow out 1) (v.) to need something 2) (a.) the unpleasant physical and mental effects that result when you stop doing or taking something, especially a drug that has become a habit h) (v.) to make something start, function, or develop; to activate something i) (adj.) causing a strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something i) (v.) to make something less powerful, or less likely to succeed, often gradually 52IIL READING FOR GIST Skim the text quickly and answer the questions below. 1. The text is probably taken froma a) scientific magazine _b) newspaper ¢) personal letter 2. The writer’s purpose is to a) give an excuse b) give information _c) make a suggestion 3. The text is probably for a) parents b) professionals 6) the publie 4. The writer is a) exeited by happy ©) critical 1 Smoking dates back to about 7,000 years ago. The globalization of cigarette smoking originated from the European exploration and conquest of the Americas, where tobacco smoking was common. The 4~ Se Europeans quickly took it up, and it spread rapidly around the world However, people's view of smoking has varied over time, from its being seen as a vulgar habit, then to a sophisticated pastime, and now to a deadly health hazard. Over the last three decades of the 20" century, mainly in industrialized countries, smoking became increasingly viewed as an undesirable activity that is bad for health — a practice that kills. We now know that smoking is one of the leading causes of many diseases, such as heart attacks and lung cancer. However, there are still over one billion regular tobacco smokers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). For example, approximately 23% of adult males and 18% of adult females in the USA are smokers. Over 400,000 premature deaths in the country are caused by cigarettes, nearly 20% of all deaths. More people die as a result of smoking than all the deaths due to HIV, vehicle accidents, murders, suicides, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse combined. That being the case, one wonders why so many people persist in smoking. 2 What makes smoking so desirable despite all the health risks is one of the ingredients in tobacco products: nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug that causes mood-altering changes in the brain that are temporarily pleasing. How does nicotine work in the human body? After someone inhales tobacco smoke, nicotine rapidly enters the bloodstream, crosses the blood-brain barrier and gets inside the brain within eight to 20 seconds. When our bodies are exposed to nicotine, we experience a "kick” — this is partly because nicotine stimulates the body in different ways, resulting in the release of adrenaline and glucose, as well as an increase in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. Indirectly, nicotine causes dopamine, a brain chemical, to be released in the pleasure and motivation areas of the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that affects emotions, ‘movements, and sensations of pleasure and pain. Put simply, if your brain’s dopamine levels rise, your sensation of contentment! is higher, which is similar to the effect that occurs when people take heroin or cocaine. The consumption of nicotine is also linked to raised alertness, euphoria, and a sensation of being relaxed. As the findings of some studies show, nicotine appears to improve memory and concentration, and reduce anxiety. 533. However, since smokers are constantly exposed to nicotine, they develop tolerance to it. The more nicotine they have, the higher their tolerance becomes, and so they require higher doses to enjoy the same initial effects. As most of the nicotine in the body is removed during sleep, tolerance may have virtually disappeared first thing in the morning. That is why many smokers say their first cigarette of the day is the best, or strongest. As the day develops, nicotine has less of an effect on them because of tolerance build-up. 4 Oncea person is addicted to nicotine, itis very difficult for them to quit smoking as nicotine is one of the hardest substances to quit —at least as hard as heroin. People who regularly consume nicotine and then suddenly stop experience withdrawal symptoms, which may include cravings, a sense of emptiness, anxiety, depression, moodiness, irritability, anger, greater appetite, problems in focusing, and, sometimes, even hostility. These symptoms go away when they receive nicotine through smoking, which makes people want to use it again and again, thus causing nicotine dependence. Tobacco companies are claimed to have a big role in this addiction. According to a report published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, from 1998 to 2004, tobacco companies steadily increased the nicotine content of their cigarettes by approximately 10 percent. The higher the nicotine dose in each cigarette, the harder it is for the regular smoker to quit. The Department accused the tobacco companies of deliberately making their customers more addicted, so that they could secure sales, or preserve their market, Doctors complain that this business strategy of getting customers more hooked undermines the success rates of smoking-cessation therapies” 5. Hundreds of millions of people have tried to give up smoking, buta significant number of smokers find breaking their tobacco dependence difficult. However, the benefits make quitting worthwhile because nicotine dependence is linked to many possible complications, such as lung diseases, asthma, heart problems, cancer, and even sudden death. Anybody who gives up before he or she is 50 years of age can reduce the risk of dying during the next 15 years by 50%, compared with people who continue smoking Experts say that smokers have a higher chance of permanent success if they pursue treatment that, in scientific studies, has been proven to be effective. Psychological therapy or medication may help; a combination of she vo has been shown to be the most successfl contentment: the state of being happy and satisfied 2smoking-cessation therapy: a therapy that helps the person give up smoking and deal with the ‘withdrawal symptoms in the process. Adapted from: http:/Avww medicalnewstoday comiarticles/181299.php http:/svww. medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240820.php_ 54.IV. FINDING MAIN IDEAS Match the main ideas below with the suitable paragraphs in the text. Write the corresponding letter in the blank. There are more items than you need. Paragraph | a. The nicotine content in tobacco products, which affects the body both positively and negatively, is responsible for smoking addiction, 1 b. Signs and symptoms of nicotine addiction may vary according to the individual 2 ¢. People will need to smoke more to get the same initial effects. 5 4. For several reasons, it is really hard for addicts to give up smoking. —— e. A combination of therapies can help people who want to quit smoking, 4 which will benefit their health in the long run. £ Contrary to its less harmful image in the past, smoking is now considered an 5 unhealthy and deadly habit. Genetic factors, parents and friends who smoke, and mental illnesses are the main causes of smoking V. READING FOR DETAILED UNDERSTANDING A. Read the text carefully and answer the questions below. 1. Whyis smoking considered a deadly habit in today’s world? 2. Whatare the immediate effects of nicotine on the body afier reaching the brain? 3. Why do people need an increasing amount of nicotine to feel the initial effects again? 4. How did tobacco companies contribute to the addiction problem? Why did they do it? 5. What does “the ovo” refer to in paragraph 5? 55B. Read the text again, Mark the statements below as true (T), false (F), or not given (NG). Correct the false ones. T[F[NG T. European explorers made cigarette smoking common in the Americas ‘An increase in brain dopamine levels means more pleasure and happiness. 3. According to s ientific studies, nicotine has no positive effects on humat 4, When nicotine addicts don’t smoke, they may experience some negative side effects 5. The business strategy of tobacco companies seems to help doctors in their treatment of smoking addiction. 6 World Health Organization regularly launches campaigns to make people stop smoking. 7. Onlya few smokers have difficulty in breaking their nicotine dependence 8. Children whose parents both smoke are likely to become smokers themselves. 56VI. UNDERSTANDING COLLOCATIONS A. Below are some collocations from the text “Nicotine Facts”. Look at the text and put them under the correct category in the table. If you are not familiar with some of the words, guess their meanings from the context. If you cannot, look them up in your dictionary. ‘Noun + verb: ‘Verb + noun Adjective + noun ‘Noun + noun ‘Verb + adverb Adverb + verb ‘Adverb + adjective ef ot] oe] tt tf Noun [adjective /verb + preposition B. Look at the text again, and complete the collocations below with suitable words. © Para. 1: one of the causes of many diseases © Para. 2: risks © Para. 2: (to be) exposed nicotine © Para. 3: (to) tolerance to nicotine © Para. 4: (to) be addicted nicotine © Para. 4:0 of emptiness © Para, 4: nicotine © Para. 4: (to) a big role in (this addiction) © Para. 4: (to) secure © Para, 4: the rates of (smoking - cessation therapies) Para. 5: (to) be linked many possible complications © Para. 5: (to) have a higher of permanent success 37C. Write five sentences in your own words by using the collocations above. 1 2. 3. 4. 5. VII. VOCABULARY PRACTICE Fill in the blanks with the words from the box. Do not change their forms. There are more words than you need. rapidly addictive increase requires abuse ‘dependence release sensations symptoms exposed Research has shown how nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of effects. One of the important discoveries is that nicotine leads to the 1) of hormones, such as dopamine, which regulates feelings of pleasure. Scientists have shown that nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the reward circuits of the brain. This reaction is similar to that seen with other drugs that are 2) , Such as cocaine and heroin, and is thought to control the pleasurable 3), , or feelings, experienced by many smokers. In the long-term, for many tobacco users, being 4) to nicotine results in addiction. When someone smokes, nicotine is 5) transmitted to the brain, with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. However, the acute effects of nicotine disappear quickly, as do the associated feelings of reward, so the smoker feels the need to smoke again, which causes a /an 6) in nicotine intake. Nicotine withdrawal 7), include irritability, craving, depression, anxiety, attention deficits, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite. They may begin within a few hours after the last cigarette, quickly driving people back to tobacco use, peak within the first few days of smoking— cessation, and usually decrease within a few weeks. For some people, however, these problems may continue for months; hence, breaking nicotine 8) is notso easy. For some people, even the feel, smell, and sight of a cigarette and the ritual of obtaining, handling, lighting, and smoking the cigarette are all associated with the pleasurable effects of smoking and can make withdrawal or craving worse. Adapted from hups-/www drugabuse gov/publications/research-reporis/tob 58VIII. DISCUSSION Work in groups of three or four and discuss why smoking is so common among young people and what can be done to reduce smoking among young people. Consider the responsibility of parents, schools and the government while discussing the issue. Later, share your ideas with the class and come up with a common solution. reasons why young people smoke other: possible solutions to reduce smoking among young people parent schor the government other: 59TEXT 2 EATING DISORDERS 1. PREVIEWING THE TOPIC Eating-Disorder Sereening Quiz Answer the questions below by considering your eating habits. 1. Do you eat until you feel uncomfortably full? @ a) Yes b) No Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat? a) Yes b) No 3. Have you recently lost more than 15 Ibs (approx. 7 kg) in a three- month period? a) Yes b) No 4, Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin? a) Yes b) No 5. Would you say that food dominates your life? a) Yes b)No Adapted from the peer-reviewed article, The SCOFF questionnaire: assessment of a new screening tool for eating disorders (Morgan, Reid, & Lacey, 1999) Scores: Each “yes"is 1 point, “no” is 0. I'you scored 2 points or more, you may be likely to have an eating disorder, so ‘you should be careful with your eating habits. 60II. PREVIEWING VOCABULARY ‘The words and phrases below appear word 1 1 the text. Study the examples below and match the bold is and phrases with a suitable definition from the box. Eating disorders negatively affect people’s health, both physically and psychologically. (para. 1) Older people are more suscepti (para. 1) le to infections as their immune system gets weaker in time. I don’t mind her going on a diet as long as she doesn’t starve herself! (para. 2) Teenagers, especially girls, have an unhealthy obsession with being thin. Because of this, they even try extreme dieting and put their health at risk. (para. 2) Most people with schizophrenia deny their illness and think that they are normal. (para. 2) She regularly uses this medicine to get rid of the acne on her face. (para. 3) Many forms of cancer can be cured if they are detected early, so people should see doctor as soon as they notice a difference in their body or health in general. (para. 3) The real problem is that he lacks self-confidence, and this prevents him from being successful. (para. 3) If the symptoms persist, or continue, please seek help from a medical expert. It may be serious. (para. 3) 0. She has undergone several tests, but the doctors haven't been able to diagnose her condition. (para. 5) PRP Se (v.) to notice or discover something, especially something that is not easy to see, hear, ete. (v.) to not have something that you need, or not have enough of it (adj.) likely to suffer from a particular illness or be affected by a particular problem; prone to (v.) to remove or throw away something unwanted (a.) a group of mental illnesses in which people eat far too little or far too much food and are unhappy with their bodies {v.) to ask someone for advice or help (a,) an extreme and unhealthy interest in something or a worry about something, which stops you from thinking about anything else (v.) to suffer from not having enough to eat, or to prevent yourself from having enough food to live (v.) to find out what illness someone has, and to name it after examination (v.) to say that something is not true, or that you don’t believe it, 6