Este blog ha sido creado para ayudar a los alumnos de inglés del nivel Básico 2 de Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (A2 del Marco Común Europeo)
a aprender inglés y estudiar de forma autónoma online.
A few days ago in class we listened to a podcast about Liverpool Football Club. You can download the podcast and the activities here so you can practise at home. Do you like football? Do you ever watch football on TV? What about Liverpool FC? Do you know anything about them? We will now do a little activity about Liverpool FC so you will have to look for some practical details in their website. First all go to their website and familiarise with it. On the top menu, go to the "Team" section. Can you find the following information? 1. How tall is Steven Gerrard? 2. How heavy is Henderson? 3. Where about England was Lambert born? 4. Which position does Jones play? 5. When was Lucas born? 6. What nationality is Allen? 7. How many goals has Johnson scored? 8. Who is the manager? 9.What is Can's first name? 10. What is Borini's squad number? Do you follow the Premier League? Do you know any other English teams? Tell me in a comment ;-) ANSWERS: 1. 1.83 m 2. 67 kg 3. Kirkby 4. Goalkeeper 5. 09/01/1987 6. Welsh 7. 8 8. Brendan Rodgers 9. Emre 10. 29
It's offcially winter once the Somerset House ice rink opens. You can now go skating while listening to Christmas and other music, you can go shopping to The Christmas Arcade or you can have a hot chocolate or a glass of champagne at The Savoy Hotel.
As well as Somerset House ice rink, there are other winter icons such as mulled wine and toasted marshmallows.
Marshmallows are confections very similar to our "nubes". The difference lies on the way English eat them, since at winter it is very common to roast them on an open fire.
Mulled wine consists of red wine with spices and cinnamon and it is served warm
Black Friday refers to the day just after Thanksgiving in the US. Because so many companies have a four
day weekend, many people begin their Christmas shopping on this day. (Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday in the US, and then people have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off from work.) Black Friday is often reported as one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Shopping malls are packed with people, parking lots are crowded, and lines at stores are very, very long. Some stores even open at five or six in the morning because there are so many people. Other stores have discounts and sales to draw even more customers.
The word "black" to describe the Friday likely began in Philadelphia in the mid-1960s. Traffic jams filled the roads into the downtown area every year. The stores and sidewalks were overflowing with shoppers. The experience for so many of the people who ventured downtown was stressful and chaotic. It was a terrible, or black, day. Because other cities around the country similarly experienced traffic jams, busy stores, and too many shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving, the term spread. Black Friday became a common idiom in American English.
Although many people may see the day after Thanksgiving negatively, retailers have a very different opinion. It's their best opportunity to improve earnings for the year, and take the business out of the red (loss) and into the black (profit). For example, if sales were slow in the spring, summer, and fall, then the store must attract many customers and make many sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The first and most important day of this last chance shopping season is Black Friday.
Of course, there are some people who dislike Black Friday. There are some people who hate the day and its crowds very much. But there are also some people who strongly oppose the shopping day because they believe it harms society. They think that people should consume less and reuse resources more, and so have created a day called "Buy Nothing Day." It falls on the same day as Black Friday, and it encourages people to buy nothing, of course.
However, for most people, Black Friday just presents one more opportunity to go shopping. For those who don't like shopping, then it's one more reason to avoid the stores and shopping malls.
This year on November the 11th the Tower of London commemorated the centenary anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War through a major art installation, in collaboration with ceramic artist Paul Cummins.
November the 11th is Remembrance Day
(also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a
memorial day observed in Commonwealth
countries since the end of World War I
to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of
duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognised as special days for
war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is
observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that
date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day
of the 11th month," in accordance with the Armistice,
signed by
representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning.
("At the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or
11:00 am) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of
Versailles on 28 June 1919.
The day was specifically dedicated by King
George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members
of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done
upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey
to Wellesley Tudor
Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on
events in 1917.
The Initial or Very First Armistice Day was
held at Buckingham
Palace commencing with King George V hosting a
"Banquet in Honour of The President of the French Republic" during the evening hours of November 10 1919.
The First Official Armistice Day was subsequently held on the Grounds of
Buckingham Palace on the Morning of November 11th 1919. This would set the
trend for a day of Remembrance for decades to come.
Why the
poppy?
The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day.
But how did the distinctive red flower become such a potent symbol of our
remembrance of the sacrifices made in past wars?
Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in
conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction
brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land
into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen
soldiers.
In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders
were once again ripped open as World War One raged through Europe's heart. Once
the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the
otherwise barren battlefields.
The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial
symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his
poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice
made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in
World War One and later conflicts. It was adopted by The Royal British Legion
as the symbol for their Poppy Appeal,
in aid of those serving in the British Armed Forces, after its formation in
1921.
Two
minute silence
At 11am on each Remembrance Sunday a two minute silence
is observed at war memorials and other public spaces across the UK. The silence
is meant as a tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for their country
- but what is the significance of that date and time?
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh
month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of bitter
fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a
railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six
hours later, at 11am, the war ended.
The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919
throughout Britain and the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it
commemorated the end of hostilities the previous year. It came to symbolise the
end of the war and provide an opportunity to remember those who had died.
In a letter published in the London Evening News on 8
May 1919, an Australian journalist, Edward George Honey, had proposed a
respectful silence to remember those who had given their lives in the First
World War. This was brought to the attention of King George V and on 7 November
1919, the King issued a proclamation which called for a two minute silence:
"All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect
stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance
of the glorious dead."
After the end of the Second World War in 1945 Armistice
Day became Remembrance Day to include all those who had fallen in the two World
Wars and other conflicts.
Since 1919, on the second Sunday of November, otherwise
known as Remembrance Sunday, a two minute silence has been observed at 11am at
war memorials, cenotaphs, religious services and shopping centres throughout
the country.
The Royal Family, along with leading politicians and religious
leaders gather at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London for a service and all
branches of the civilian and military services are represented in ceremonies
throughout Britain and the Commonwealth.
Last Saturday 8th November Londoners celebrated Lord Mayor's Show.
Lord Mayor's Show begins with the ancient andjustifiedcaution of King John. He tried to win London’s support by allowing it to choose its own Mayor, but he insisted that immediately after election the Mayor must leave the safety of the City of London, travel upriver to distant Westminster and swear loyalty to the Crown.
Over the centuries this inconvenient journey became one of London's favourite rituals. It moved from river barges to horseback and then into the magnificentState Coach, and around it grew a rowdy and joyful mediæval festival that became known as the Lord Mayor's Show.
The ancient pageant is now bigger than ever. It is a London institution and hasn’t missed a year since Wellington’s funeral blocked the whole city in 1852. The modern procession is over three and a half miles long and fills the whole space between Bank and Aldwych from 11am until about 2.30pm, cheered by a crowd of around half a million people and watched live on the BBC by millions more.
There are fewer sword fights these days but the floats are grander than ever and it's a great day out for every generation.
Watch the videos to learn more about Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Night but make sure you read my previous post so you have some knowledge about it.
Listen to them several times and DON'T WORRY if you don't understand everything. This video from the British Council is about how Bonfire Night is celebrated:
Do you ever read about The British Royal family in the magazines?
What do you know about them?
Who's who?
Below you have their family tree. Have a look at it.
Now, tell me...
Who's.....
Peter Phillips?
Prince Andrew Duke of York?
Lady Louise?
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge?
Prince Georgge?
Go to the official website of The British Monarchy to find out more information about the British Royal Family. Read the information about the Duchess of Cambridge and answer the following questions:
1. When was she born? 2. Where did she move when she was two? 3. What sports did she practise at school? 4. Which university did she go to? 5. Where did she meet the Duke of Cambridge? 6. When did they marry? 7. What is her child's name?
Guy Fawkes Night is a very British celebration. It celebrates a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. This was probably one of the first examples of terrorism, only it didn’t work. It all happened on November the fifth. A group of Catholics, who were unhappy with their Protestant rulers, wanted to bring the government down. Their leader was
a man called Guy Fawkes and his plan was called the Gunpowder Plot. Fortunately, some passers-by saw Guy Fawkes and his followers with the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was arrested and then he was put on a bonfire and burned to death. In Britain and former British colonies, this day is also called
Bonfire Night. Bonfire Night is perhaps the biggest outdoor celebration in Britain.
Unfortunately, it is in winter and takes place at night. You have to brave the cold, but it is a happy occasion. Every town and village puts on a fireworks display. There usually is
a large bonfire in the middle of the town. People gather at it to watch the fireworks and eat traditional Guy Fawkes Night food. Baked potatoes and toffee apples are the most popular treats. There is usually a mock guy on the bonfire to represent the real one that died 400 years ago. Many families have smaller celebrations and will have their own, private fireworks display in their garden. There are many warnings to be careful because every year, children are injured in fireworks accidents. Adapted from ESL Holiday Lessons What impresses YOU the most about Bonfire Night? Would YOU like to be in the UK for the celebration? Is there any similar celebration in YOUR country? Tell me in a comment ;-)
Halloween
is celebrated on October the 31st every year. It originated from a pagan
holiday and the christian holiday of All Saints’ Day. The name Halloween is a
shortened version of All Hallows’ Eve.
Today, it is more of a fun day for children and has largely lost its religious roots. Halloween is probably
most famous in the U.S.A. Irish immigrants took it to America in the mid-1600s and it slowly spread across the
country. Halloween is not celebrated in many countries around the world
although many people know about it. Some Christians are not so happy that
people celebrate Halloween. They believe the holiday is un-christian because of
its origin as a pagan "festival of the dead."
Halloween has many easily
identifiable symbols. The colours orange and black are widely used. In particular, orange pumpkins and fires
and black witches, cats and costumes are common features of this day.
One of the biggest Halloween activities is trick-or-treating. This is when
children knock on doors and ask for a small gift. If they don’t get
anything, they’ll play a trick on the person who opens the door.
Food also plays a big part of Halloween. Toffee apples are very popular and so is
anything made from pumpkin. Halloween is also a popular topic for Hollywood.
Many horror movies have been made about it. Because of this, Halloween is now
known in many countries that never actually celebrate it.
Do you celebrate Halloween? Are you going to a costume party?
What do you think about celebrating Halloween in Spain? Do you agree?
Last Friday (November 22nd) marked the 50th anniversary of John Fitzgerald Kennedy's assassination.
John Fitzgerald Kennedywas assassinated at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was fatally shot by a sniper while traveling with his wife Jacqueline, Texas GovernorJohn Connally, and Connally's wife Nellie, in a presidential motorcade.
A ten-month investigation from November 1963 to September 1964 by the Warren Commission concluded that Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, and that Jack Ruby also acted alone when he killed Oswald before he could stand trial.
However, nowadays many people still believe that more than one person was involved in the murder.
Have a look at this video to find out who was the Umbrella Man ;-)
The book you read at Christmas, Eight Great American Tales, comprises different stories but they all take place in New York during 1899-1910. For this reason I thought it was interesting to know a little bit about New York at this time.
The turn of the century brought a new period of tenement reform, headed by City reformers including Jacob Riis and Lillian Wald. Their concerns for the health and welfare of the City's poor immigrants led to an investigation of tenement houses by The Tenement House Committee of the Charity Organization. All the buildings constructed after 1901 were built according to specific minimum requirements for the size of rooms and amount of light and ventilation.
The 1900's continued to reflect the "search for order" in both the political and social spheres. After the assassination of President McKinley by a crazed anarchist in 1901, Theodore Roosevelt took office, heralding the arrival of Progressivism in the White House. Roosevelt's immediate policy initiatives called for greater federal control over corporations, increased authority for the Interstate Commerce Commission, extension of the merit system in civil service, and an aggressive foreign policy.
The spirit of reform was not restricted to Roosevelt's White House. A series of popular writers made a national impact commentating on the human condition. The writers, whom Roosevelt called "the Muckrakers," included Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens, among others.
The introduction of federal legislation regarding meat inspection and the pure food and drug act largely turned on Muckraker popularization of these issues.
The Progressive years were also characterized by efforts to improve municipal government throughout the country. Some key amendments included the development of initiative and referendum (1898), recall (1903), direct primaries (1903), the direct election of Senators (ratified in 1913).
In New York, a return to classical, yet cosmopolitan construction marked the turn of the century. Beaux Arts design, which characterized the city beautiful movement, became the dominant architectural style through the 1930's.
With a never-ending stream of immigrants entering America through New York's ports, the City experienced an unprecedented population explosion. The Lower East Side acquired the distinction of being the most densely populated area on the globe. The deafening clamor of horses on cobblestone streets made it impossible for even the healthiest individual to ride in the over-crowded streetcars without a headache.
In 1863, London opened the world's first underground railway. A little over twenty years later, the profound economic and population growth prompted New Yorkers to develop a high-powered rapid transit system for New York City. In January of 1888, encouraged by the city's merchants and businessmen, Major Abraham S. Hewitt put forward a proposal for construction of an under-ground subway system to serve the city's commuters. After a subway plan was approved, work began in earnest in 1888. The Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company was awarded the first contract for $35 million. The first subway line ran from City Hall to 42nd Street, then west to Times Square and finally north along Broadway up to 96th street. By 1902, a second contract was extended to the Interborough Rapid Transit Company to build a line into Brooklyn.
As the capital marks 150 years since the first section of the London Underground opened, Metro Newspaper round up ten of the best facts about the Tube.
10 – In 2011/2012 a record 1.171billion passenger journeys took place on the Tube, 64 million more than the previous year.
9 – East Finchley to Morden via Bank is the longest continuous tunnel on the network at 17.25 miles (27.8km).
8 – The Tube’s logo, the roundel, a red circle crossed by a horizontal blue bar, first appeared in 1908.
7 – Each Tube train travels an average of 114,500 miles (184,269km) per year.
6 – There are 4,134 carriages, 426 escalators and 164 lifts on the London Underground.
5 – The average speed of a Tube train is 33km/h, but speeds of up to 50mph can be reached on the Victoria line and 60mph on the Metropolitan.
4 – The Jubilee line is the deepest on the entire network at 32m (105ft) below sea level – 68.8m (221ft) below ground level.
3 – Waterloo is the busiest station on the Tube with 57,000 people passing through during the three-hour morning peak; 82million per year.
2 – There are 270 stations on the London Underground, 260 of which are managed by 19,000 staff.
1 – The network extends to 249 miles (402km), just 45 per cent of which is in tunnel.
A few days ago in class we listened to a podcast about Liverpool Football Club. You can download the podcast and the activities here so you can practise at home.
1. How tall is Steven Gerrard?
