Street Markets

Of the WorldDear Student,

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The title page of each text contains prediction questions to actívate your knowledge and ideas. The last page contains comprehension question for you to check your understanding, review vocabulary, and discuss the interesting topics.

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Street markets are outdoor markets traditionally held in a town square or along a specific Street. Vendors tipically sell anything from fresh foods, Brand-new and even electronics in open-air stalls. Some markets are open on specific days of the week, while others are daily affairs. Although there are thousands of unique Street markets around the world, we chose to highligh four world-famous and noteworthy favorites.

Portobello Road Market, London, England.

A popular destination for londoners and a world-famous tourist destination, the vibrant Portobello Road Marke in the Notting Hill section of London is a must-see for shoppers and browsers alike. Although the well-kown Street market only became famous with the 1999 film Notting Hill, it has been in existence for more tan 100 years. Started as a fresh foods market, it began to attract antiques dealers in 1940s. Now it is home to the world`s largest antiques market on Saturdays.

If old-fashioned antiques are not your thing, don`t worry! The market appeals to a wide range of tastes and there is truly something for everyone at Portobello. Visitors will find everything from fresh and exotic foods to old books and funky jewelry. Whether you are there to browse, pick up something cheap, or spend some serious cash, you are sure to find lots of secondhand offers in every price range. Out advice is that the shopper arrive early for the best picks.

Marrakech Sreet Market, Marrakech, Morocco.

The many bustling Street markets. Our souks, of Marrakech are not just places to shop, but also places for socializing and entertainment. Street performers draw big crowds with the lively shows. Street market, laocated next to the plaza Djemaa El-fna, is the largest of the many markets around the city, and you’ll find everything from leather godos to fresh-squeezed orange juice for sail in it’s stalls.

But be prepared, it is also the most aggressive market in town. Aggressive, you say? Yes! In these colorful bazaars, it is essential that you haggle. If you are a foreigner, you are likely to pay a bit more tan a local shopper might, but chances are that you will still walk away with a grate deal.

Pike Place Market, Seattle, USA.

One of the oldest continually-operating markest in the United States , Pike Place Market in Seattle, has been aroun since 1907. Overlooking Seattle’s waterfront and just a short distnace from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean, the market its famous for its fresh fish. On the market’s main level, fishmongers call out the day’s catch seven days a week. We insist that everyone try the delicious produce. In additionto handicrafts and gourmet foods, the market is also a hub for local farmers who sell mountains of organically-grown produce.

Pat Pong Night Market, Bangkok, Thailand.

If you are a night owl looking for a bargain on the inner-city streets of Bangkok, then look no further than the Pat Pong Night Market. Located in the heart of Bangkok’s famous Silom district, the market is a popular destination for serious shoppers and foreign tourists in search of a bargain. Since it is open for business from 6PM each evening until 2AM, going to this Street market does not require getting up early.

The stalls are crammed with fake brand name items and money-saving Thai handicrafts, and it is recommended that you bargain for lower prices. You might even get 50% off the “real” Price. Shopping in the market requires expert haggling skills if you plan to take home a fake Gucci watch for next to nothing.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Complete the sentences with the correct words.

fake vendors bargain

a) Locals suggest haggling if you want to get a.

b) Brand name ítems sold extremely cheap are usually .c) Sell food and other ítems in open air stalls.

2.- Match the words to the definitions.

a) bargain. n a center of activity.

b)haggle. n salespeople.

C) Vendors. n something bought at a good Price.

d) hub. v try to get a better price when buying something.

e) fake. n artisanal goods made by hand.

f) handicrafts. adj imitation, not real.

3.- In pairs, discuss the questions.

a) What types of things can you buy at each market?b) Who are the markets for (tourists, locals, etc.)?c) Which of the markets mentioned sound the most interesting to you? Why?

Global Warming

More and more studies show that global warming is caused by human activities, such as farming and burning fuels. Everytime we burn fuels for cars, airplanes or factories, gas is released into the atmosphere. Farm animals also create waste that contains gas that is released into the atmosphere. This might not sound like a major source of pollution, but crop and animals farms now cover most of the farmable land on the planet, which means a lot of animal waste.

These activities add excessive amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbón dioxide and methane to the atmosphere. The accumulation of these gases trapsheat that is normally released into space. When the heat is trapped, the temperature of the atmosphere rises. This leads to climate change, which represents one of modern society’s biggest challenges.

Global warming affects the planet and we can also see it in our daily lives. In one small town in the United States, and old tradition has been lost due to warmer temperatures. Once known for the Bridell Ice Festival , held each February on the frozen surface of the town lake, Bridell has canceled the yearly festival because the lake no longer freezes as deeply as it used to. 15-year-old. Josh Harms, who lives in Bridell, says, “It’s kind of sad because my dad and my grandpa were both champions of the ice fishing competition, but now we don’t even have a contest.”

Although the challenge in Bridell has been gradual, global warming has had more dramatics effects on weather conditions around the world. Althoughit is not possible to conect a single heat wave, hurricane or flood to rising temperatures, we can say there has been a sharp increase in the ocurrence of extreme weather worldwide. This is going to continue in the furture and will have a desvastating effct upon our planet.

Firstly, hurricanes have become stronger and more destructive. The year 2004 saw the first ever hurricane recorded in the south Atlantic, 2005 had the most hurricanes on record in the Atlantic, and 2006 witnessed one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever in the south Pacific. As sea-surface temperature rises, fiercer storms are going to be seen around the globe. These will cause more flooding and severely erode coastlines. Secondly, heat waves and droughts are going to become more frequent. Global warming means higher temperatures that speed up evaporation , which causes a lot of wáter vapor to collect in the air. When heat from the sun hits dry soil that has little or no wáter to evaporate, both the soil and the air get hotter. This causes the soil to get even drier and has damaging effects on crops and farm animals.

Finally, research suggest that global warming is to blame for increasingly destructive wildfires. In forests, milder winters and extended warm seasons have promoted the survival of tree-eating beetles. This has caused more dead wood. This adds to forest fires. Large fires are now four times more frequent than in the 1980s.

We need international policies that fight global warming. We have got to keep stricts limits on the amount of pollution we produce and introduce though penalties on businesses and

countries that exceed them. To avoid the most severe impact of climate change, we have to reduce heat-trapping pollution by about two percent per year.

However, it is important that we remember fighting global warming is not just the goverment’s responsability. The climate does not care where global-warming pollution comees from, and about one fifth of it comes from homes, which means that shoping global warming is the responsibility of each of us. We need to make smart choices in our daily lives.

Most of this choices involve simple efforts such as turning off lights when leaving a room, planting treesaround your home, and insulating home walls to reduce heat pollution. We have to act now.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Match the words to the definitions.

a) conserve n punishment.

b) drought n substances that harm the air or water.

c) pollution v save or prevent overuse.

d) flood n dry period without rain.

e) penalty n large amount of water over dry land.

2.- Read the statements and mark them “T”(true) or “F”(false).

a) Rising temperatures cuase extreme weather.

b) Carbon dioxide helps reduce global warming.

c) Only governments can stop global warming.

d) About one fifth of pollution comes from homes.

3.- In groups, discuss the questions.

a) What are some human activities that contribute to global warming?

b) What are the effects of rising temperatures?

c) What things can you do to stop the global warming?

Spoken Music

Rap music became popular in 1980s, first in the United States, and then across the world. A rap is a talk song---it is not sung; it is spoken. Rap songs have a very heavy beat and a lot of rhyme. The speaker says the words over original music, parts of other people’s song, or scratching sounds. Since becoming popular, perhaps no other form of music has crossed as many cultural boundaries as rap.

Rap music has its roots in Africa and the Caribben. Centuries before rap existed, the griots, or historians, of West Africa narrated stories in a rhythmic way to drum beats. Other roots of rap are found in Jamaica, with narrative poems that told stories in rhyme. These were called toasts. American DJs were toasting over Jamaican drumbeats as early as the 1980s. The musical culture of Africa and the Caribbean has constantly influenced American music.

In the 1970s, the music style slowly grew in popularity among blackteens in New York City, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. Neighborhood bock parties in the Bronx in New York featured early forms of rapping. Rap music formed part of what is now called hip-hop culture. Hip hop is a lifestyle that incluides rap, graffiti art, break dancing, and DJing. It is said that rap is something you do, and hip hop is something you live.

“Rapper’s Delight”, the 1979 hit by the Sugar Hill Gang was the first commercially successful rap somg. Major record labels began to take notice of the explosive new sound. This has made a difference in the amount of people that listen to rap. It has grown tremendously, and today it has a huge following among people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. But the musical style has its critics. In the 80s, many raps were commentaries on the difficulties of ghetto life. Thesetoppics led some parents to fear that rap encouraged youth to turn to violence.

During the seventies and eighties, there was a myth that rap music was only for and by balcks people. However, the White folk singer Bob Dylan had already recorded a rap song, “Subterranean Homesick Blues”, in 1965. In 1982, Afrika Bambaataa released “Planet Rock”, which was a huge success. He was the first black Muslim making rap music. Then in 1986, rap reached the top of the charts with singles like “Fight for Your Right” by the Beastie Boys and “Walk this Way” by Run-DMC, who sang rap together with the rock band Aeroshmith.

During the 1990s, the rap styles on the East and West coast of the United States began differ. On the East coast, rap was loud and defiant, While on the West coast the style was smoother. Female artists such as missy Elliot and Lil’kim entered the rap scene and became well known all over the world. The most influential rap star today is Eminem, alias Matthew Mathers. He won an Oscar in 2003 for his song “Lose Yourself”, which he recorded for the movie 8 mile.

Rappers rap about anything. The key is thet they put their hearts into the lyrics of the songs. In order to write a rap, it is essential to think of a pic and make sure the lyrics match the song’s title. Rappers must know enough about their topic to rap about it, so they usually rap about

events from their own life experience. Topics incluide school, friends, family, hobbies, ineterests, or embarrassing moments.

The next thing rappers need to remember is to tell their story in rhyme. Most raps rhyme in couplets. That means lines rhyme two at a time. Lines one and two rhyme with each other , lines three and four rhyme with each other, and so on. A popular format for a rap song is intro, verse, bridge (similar to a chorus, but shorter), chorus, and outro.

The beat can be diferent for diferent lines. Some lines are short and others are long. However, in many rap songs, it is surprising how similar the stress and rhythms are. Many of them are variations on this pattern:

da DUM da da DUM da da DUM da da DUM

Here is another way of indicating this rhythm:

A ONE and a TWO and a THREE and a FOUR

Rappers can change the words of their couplets to fit in with this rhythm:

I LIKE basketBALL ‘cos I THINK it’s real COOL,

I BOUNCE and I JUMP all the WAY to my SCHOOL.

Finally, slang and contractions are commonly used in rap. It is possible to shorten or change words to help maintain the stress and rhythm.

Don’t WORRY ‘bout your TESTS,

In your ENGLISH class and MATH,

You’re GONNA study REAL hard,

And YOU’RE gonna PASS.

Rap music is getting more popular day by day. Even those who do not like rap music cannot deny its success. Although it is not yet the most popular form of music in every country, it wouldn’t be a surprise to son find it ruling the charts all over the world!.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Answer the questions.

a) When did rap music become popular?

b) Where did rap music originate?

d) Why were some people critical of rap?

d) What are the important elements of rap lyrics?

2.- Match the words to their definitions.

a) beat n informal use of vocabulary.

b) chart adj reflecting traditional forms of music.

c) couplet n a regular sound.

d) folk n origins.

e) roots n list of the week’s most popular songs.

f) slang n a pair of successive rhyming lines in a verse.

3.- Discuss the questions.

a) How has rap crossed cultural boundaries?

b) Which other forms of music are influential in your country? Where did they originate?

c) What are the songs about? What messages do they send to their audience?

Becoming an AdultHve you ever been to a coming of age party? Coming of of age is a young person’s transition from childhood to adulthood. It is celebrated in different ways and at different ages around the world. In some countries, coming of age is the time when minors are given full legal rights. In others, it is simply associated with maturity and responsability. Wherever you are, coming of age is an important momento in a young person’s life. It is when you become an adult.

The Bar Mitzvah.

Bar Mitzvah means “son” in Aramaic, an old Jewish language, while mitzvah is Hebrew for “commandment”. In Jewish tradition, when a boy comes of ages at 13, he is automatically recognized as a bar mitzvah. From this point on, he has the same rights as a full grown man and is morally and ethically responsable for his own actions. Bar mitzvah is also the name of the religious ceremony and the celebratory party that mark the event, although these aren’t obligatory.

The ceremony usually takes place on a Saturday morning in a synagogue. The boy learns some biblical text and leads some prayers from the Torah, the first part of the Jewish bible and most important document of Judaism. The service normally lasts for an hour ora n hour and half, but can take up to three hours in Orthodox congregations. There are often many non-Jews at the ceremony who have never been to a bar mitzvah before. They follow what other members do, but not have tos ay prayers or perform rituals. People wear formal clothes, with women expected to wear dresses and men in smart jackets and ties.

The bar mitzvah service is not a new practice, but that celebrations that follow have only been happening for a century or so. Usually, everyone who has been invited to the bar mitzvah will be invited to lunch afterwards. Sometimes there is a nighttime celebration just for the friends of the bar mitvah boy at a bowling alley, skating ring, or restaurant. Many bar mitzvah parties featurea DJ spining music and encouraging the guests to dance and play games. Some bar mitzvah parties can be as fancy as wedding parties; others can be simple affairs with close family and friends.

The Quinceañera.

The quinceañera celebration has its origins in Meso-American cultures. The word has two parts, quince(fifteen) and añera which is a derivative of años(year), and resfers to a girl’s fifteenth birthay. Fifteen-year-old Aztec girls were cosidered women women and were given the instruction and responsabilities of an adult. This was a hugely significant rite of passage, and also an enormous honor, today, the event is fequently celebrated in several countries in the Americas and the Caribbean.

The celebration usually begins with a mass for giving thanks. For the ceremony, the quinceañera enters the church accompanied by fifteen young men, or chamberlains, maids of honor, and her parents and godparents. Many family and friends are present. Everyone dresses formally and the event often resembles a wedding. The quienceañera stands out above the rest- she wears a ball gown and stunning jewelry. Traditionally, the dress is pink to

symbolize the young woman’s purity. While the mass has remainded the same over the centuries, other traditions releated to the party have changed over time.

When the party begins, there is usually a dinner and sometimes a dance in the quinceañera’s honor. A tiara is often placed on the birthday girl’s head as she enters the party. Family and friends gather around and give the girl’s gifts. The party may take place at the birthday girl’s house, on the Street, or at an events hall. The young woman dances with her father just before changing her shoes from a youthful shoe to an adult shoe. Then quinceañera usually dances waltz with her chamberlains.

Even in societies where bar mitzvah and quinceañera celebrations exist, people can celebrate their coming of age in any way they choose. It is not necessary to have a big party orceremony, and mny people do not want one. How people celebrate becoming an adult is not so important. What is important is the transition from one period of life to another and how attitudes and expectations change from that point onwards.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Mark the satatements “T”(true) of “F”(false)

a) Jewish boys must have a bar mitzvah cremony.

b) The Torah is a religious script.

c) People wear formal clothes at a bar mitzvah.

d) All a bar mitzvah parties are big parties with lots of people.

e) Quinceañeras are an old tradition.

f) Quinceañeras are only celebrated in Mexico.

g) The girl enters the church with her family.

h) Traditions are the same in every quinceañera party.

2.- Complete the table.

Verb Noun Adjetivecelebbratecongregate

ceremonialImportant

expect

3.- Discuss the questions.

a) What three things does a bar mitzvah mean?

b) In What ways can bar mitzvah and quinceañera celebrations be similar to weddings?

c) What is the most important aspect about coming of age?

Water, Water, EverywhereHow much waterdo you use each day? As the world’s population increase, the answer for most of us will probably be “too much.” In many parts of the world, fresh wáter is being used faster than it can be replaced. Already about one-third of the population of the world lives in countries where the wáter suply is dangerously low, and the situation is going to get worse if we do not learn to conserve this precious resource.

But how much water does each person need? Of course there is no single correct answer to this question. How much is enough depends on a person’s lifestyle. For example, a person wrking outdoors in a hot climate will need more than a person working in an air-conidtioned office.

In a general, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests 0.5 to 1 gallon a day for drinkng, and another gallon for cooking and food prepratin as the bare minimum for survival. However, the mínimum quantity recommended by the US Agency for International Development is closet o 26.4 gallons per person per day!

During the twenthieth century, the number of people in the world tripled. If we don’t change our lifestyles and learn to conserve, there is going to be a global wáter crisis in the near future. Some scientists predict that more than half the people in the world will be living with a severe water shortage by 2032. Our domestic, industrial, and agricultural use of water may lead to environmental disaster. It is extremely important that we begin to protect water like any other scarce resource.

In the domestic sector, people in developed countries use ten times more water than those in less developed countries. Excessive amounts of water are wasted as taps are left running and hoses are used in gardens. However, in less developed countries safe drinking water is inaccessible for more than one in six people. For famiies already living in poverty, a lack of safe drinking water is an added burden and danger.

Infectious water borne diseases are responsible for 80%of illnesses and deaths in the developing world. Approximately 15 million children die each year due to water-related illnesses. How is this possible? Well, pollution plays a big part. Some two million tons of waste per day are disposed of in open feshwater sources.

As many as 2.6 billion people on the planet do not have enough water for sanitation, and nearly 4,000 children die each day as a result of water-borne diseases. There is concern these figures might rise.

However, research suggests it is in agriculture where problems are going to be the most severe. Agriculture accounts for an overwhelming 80% of world water consumption, and an estimated 60% of the water used for irrgation is wasted.

Much of this waste is because of leaky Canals, evaporation, and improper water management, but fertilizers and pesticides used in farming also contaminate feshwater resources.

In developing countries, farmers use two times more water than in developed countries, but produce less food, and it is possible malnutrition will become a serious problem. Population growth also means that we are going to need extra water for industrial uses such as generating power in electrical and nuclear facilities.

Is it too late to avoid the crisis? Not yet, but it is likely we will have to change our attitudes and habits. There are many changes we can make. For example, by simply placing a bucket in the shower when we bathe, we can collect the water that is wasted and reuse it in the garden and for cleaning.

We can laso reduce water use by changing our diet. Did you know it takes 100 liters of water to grow one kilogram of ppotatoes, but 13,000 liters to poduce a kilogram of beef? By switching from a meat-based diet, we many save thousands of liters of water each year. It is up to teach of us to do our part to help conserve water resources. We have to become more aware of our responsabilities as water consumption increases.

Icreasing public awareness is key. Authorities know re-education is needed. Goverments can help by providing economic rewards in poorer countries to use water-safe practices that conserve freshwater resources. In developed countries, it is difficult to accept that there is a problem when there is constant Access to free-flowing water, but with re-education we can learn to live more water-friendly lifestyles.

There is a limited amiunt of fresh water available. The challenge, however, is not that there isn’t enough water—it is how we are going to manage the water there is. Goverments and ecological movements are already cooperating to meet this challenge. They realice the future is at stake. But there is much more to be done. Are you ready to help?

Comprehension Check.

1.- Read the sentences and write T (true) or F (false).

a) One in six people in developing countries has access to safe drinking water.

b)During the twentieth century, the number of people in the world tripled.

c) Farmers in developing countries use twice as much water than in

developed countries.

d) Growing potatoes uses more water than raising cattle.

e) Most water in the world is drikable.

2.- Match the words to their meanings.

a) crisis n practice of producing crops.

b) authorities n persons in command.

c) scarce n usual manner or behavior.

d) agriculture n a serious or critical situation.

e) habit n in short supply.

3.- In pairs, discuss the questions.

a) How is freshwater wasted or misused?

b) What things can you do to conserve water?

Do you already to this things?

BeowulfBeowulf is an Old English epic poem of unknown authorship. It originated between the eight and eleventh centuries and it recounts events that ocurred in what is now Denmark and Sweden. It is 3,182 lines long and is regarded as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literatura ever writen.

Scholars have speculated on its origins for centuries and the story has been adapted into prose and film. The first tells of Beowulf’s battle with Grendel, who has been attacking the land of Hrothgar…

A long time ago, there was a kingdom known as Geastland, ruled by King Hygelac. The people of Geastland were famous for their bravery and many of the men became great warriors. One young boy in particular had shown great strenght and courage. He was the king’s nephew, and he grew up to be the strongest warrior in the Kingdom. His name was Beowulf.

Every evening, while the warriors ate their delicious feasts, they would listen tos tories told by wandering minstrels. One night, a terrified traveler told a horrific story from the land of Hrothgar. He told of a ferocious beast, which was part animal, part man, and part bird. Its name was Grendel, and it had bewitched ane carried and carried away thirty of Hrotghar’s people in their sleep. Not a single one of them had been found.

Beowulf listened to the traveler’s story, and as son as it was finished he stood up. He promised the warriors that he would help Hrothgar.

King Hygelac asked Beowulf what he needed and preparations were made for the dangerous journey. Beowulf selected fourteen warriors to accompany him, and they set sail for Hrothgar’s land in rough seas. The ship fought crashing waves for many hours, and at times it seemed the ship might sink. Finally, the warriors landed on the Hrothgar’s beach.

Beowulf and his companions were given a delicious welcome dinner as honored guests. While they were eating, they were once acgain provided with details of the hideous beast. They were told it came silently in the night. In the mornings, screams were heard troughout the land as people awoke to find their loved ones had misteriously disappeared without a sign. None of those taken had been seen again. Fear ruled the land of Hrothgar.

When night came, Beowulf secured the door of the hall where he and his companions were to sleep. Before he lay down, the warrior decided that he would not close his eyes. He lie awake throughout the night listening for sound from the dreadful Grendel. The rest of the warriors slept soundly, unaware that the monstrous Grendel was standing outside in the fog, casting a spell upon those who slept. However, as Beowulf was not sleeping, the spell did not overpower him.

Beowuf was listening and waiting when Grendel slowly and silently opened the door. Beowulf couldn’t believe the horrendous apparition in the doorway. Its legs were like tree trunks and its huge body was covered in scales. It jumped towards Beowulf with its horrible bony hands

oustreched. The young warrior and the hideous Grendel struggled on the floor. It was a mighty battle between two extremely powerful beings.

Although it was difficult, Beowulf didn’t let go of the monster. They flew into walls and furniture, smashing into windows and doors while the warriors slept. As Beowulf began to tire, he felt the muscles in Grendel’s arm finally stretch and snap. The monster emitted a piercing scream and fell to the floor. Breathing heavily, Beowulf waited for the beast to rise again, but it did not. Beowulf had defeated the beast.

The joyous King, who had woken up when the castle shook, ran to Beowulf and hugged him. Hrothgar shouted to his people that Grendel’s reign of terror had ended. The beast could never hurt anyone again thanks to the courageous Beowulf. The people of Hrothgar took to the streets in celebration. They cheered and praised Beowulf, and showered him with gifts of gratitude. Beowulf returned home a hero.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Mark the sentences T (true) or F(false).

a) The events of Beowulf occrred in Denmark and Sweden.

b) Beowulf is a novel.

c) Hrothgar sent a messenger to ask for Beowulf’s help.

d) Beowulf volunteered to fight the hideous Grendel.

e) Beowulf went alone to the land of Hrothgar.

2.- Match the words that go together.

a) rough seas

b) crashing feast

c) honored beast

d) delicious waves

e) ferocious guest

3.- Discuss the questions.

a) Why have scholars speculated about Beowulf?

b) How is the story of Beowuf similar to others famous legends?

c) Why do you think Beowulf volunteered to fight Grendel?

Lights, Camera, Action!When MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer had a dinner party at his home in 1927, somebody asked why he did not consider creating an organization that would benefit the entire film industry. The guests thought this was a good idea and a few days later, thirty-six of the biggest names in the film industry got together and approved the proposal.

That May, the state og California gave permission to the industry to form a non-profit organization. An oficial opening ceremony was organized and two hundred and thirty invited guests paid one hundred dollars to join. The Academy of motion picture Arts and sciences was born.

The first oficial Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 1929. The event was a private banquet. It is hard to believe today, but there was no publicity or broadcasting of the event. Even more incredibly, there were no shocks or emotional speeches from award winners. This was because everybody already knew who had won! The presentation ceremony was over very quickly, although the guests still complained that the speecheshad been too long. The academy needed a way to make the awards more exciting.

The first step in making the awards more appealing was to ceate a feeling of competition. Awards would not be awards without a trophy for the winners, so the Academy asked MGM’s art director, Cedric Gibbons, if he could design a suitably majestic prize. Gibbons came up with a statuette of a knight holding a crusader’s sword while standing on a reel of a film. This was then sculpted into the three-dimensional figure that is still used today. The gold-plated statuettes are only thirteen and a half inches high, but have become the industry’s greatest honor.

Next, in 1930, in an effort to add element of suspense to the event, the Academy decided they would make the results of the awards secret. Events were also broadcast on the radio, and from that momento onwards, the awards became more and more popular.

Then, in 1941, the Academy decided that they would keep the results in sealed envelopes which could not be opened until the time of ceremony. This added to the drama of the evening and increased media attention.

The popularity of the awards took off and in 1942, because of increased attendance, the Academy moved the awards to The Kodak Theatre, where they have been held ever since.

It was in 1953 thath the Oscars exploded into people’s TV screens. Millions of people in the USA and Canada were able to watch Holliwood’s most prestigious awards for the first time.

The glitz and glamour increased with color transmission in 1966, and that is when the Oscars really became a hit. This was the year that the famous red carpet was first broadcast around the world.

The nature of the awards has changed over the years and the number of awards given has grown steadily. In the first year, there were twelve awards, and then only seven in the second year. Since then, the number has slowly gone up.

New awards included best supporting Actor and Actress (1936), Best Foreign Language Film (1956), and Best Animated Film (2001). There are now twenty-four categories.

The ceremony is now a mainstay of popular culture around the world. It has never been called off and has only been postponed briefly three times since its inception. In 1938, it was delayed by a flood for a week. In 1968, it was put off for two days after Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. Then an assessination attempt on Ronald Reagan held things up for a day in 1981.

People now watch the Oscars in over two hundred countries around the world. In 2009, some media organizations predicted that more than one billion people would watch the ceremony wolrride. However, the real figure was much lower.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.

a) The nickname “Oscar” originally referred to…

1) the statuette.

2) the speeches.

b) The first Oscar for Best Actor was given to…

1) an American actor.

2) a German actor.

c) The Academy created drama around the awards when it…

1) broadcast the ceremony via TV.

2) made the results secret.

d) People now watch the Oscars in…

1) the United States and Canada.

2) over 200 countries.

2.- Match the words that go together.

a) emotional steadily

b) prestigious speech

c) grow carpet

d) red award

3.- In groups, discuss the questions.

a) Why did Louis B. Mayer create the Academy?

b) How has the Oscar’s ceremony changed over the years?

Inventions that Changed the World

For ceturies human beigns have been trying to make or créate things to make life easier. Some inventions, such at as the Wheel, have been quite simple, yet revolutionalized the way humans lived and carried out daily tasks. Whether simple or complex, listing all of the inventions that have impacted the way we live and work would be imposible!Instead, a panel of experts from the Britsh Sience Association attempted to narrow down the list to the top 10. Read on and decide if you agree with what they came up with!

GPS Technology

Originally developed as a navigation system by he Unated States military, the Global Positioning System uses a network of satellites around earth to pinpoint the exact position of a receiver anywhere on the planet. Since its development in 1978, it is now easier for geologist to track the movement of continental plates and glaciers, while conservation scientist have tagged turtles with GPS receivers to follow their epic migration more easily.

The Personal Stereo

The era of the iconic personal stereo began in 1979. It enabled music fans to listen to music while on the move without bothering those aoround them. It provided the soundtrack to millions of morning commutes. The personal stereo quickly changed listening habits and became hugely popular as jogging culture took the 1980s by storm—here was something that allowed you to listen privately to your music while your worked out. This technology has now evolved into MP3 players and has changed music forever.

The Bar Code

This boring sets of black and White lines are now found on almost every single ítem bought from a store. At first glance, it is hard to see how they possibly made an impacto n the world, but they have fundamentally changed the way stores opérate.

Norman Wooldland, a technician, developed an early form of the bar code in 1949 using ideas from Morse code tos peed up store check outs. Now stores can Access product details, prices and stock levels more quickly with a sweep of a laser.

TV Dinners

Food on the go really took off in the 1970s and transformed both the way families ate meals and national health. Traditional family dinners around the table disappeared and prepackaged TV dinners eaten on the sofá became the norm. The products were designed for consumers with hectic lifestyles so that they could cook meals faster and more conveniently. However, processed food is also blamed for driving the obesity crisis. Whit hight fat, salt and sugar content to make the meals last longer on the shelves, the diet of the Western world has deteriorated.

Game Consoles

Although game consoles had been around for some time, new developments in the mid—1990s took gaming out of teenager’s bedrooms and into adult living rooms. Suddenly, consoleswere developed that had more power than the average family PC, and gaming became a popular hobby.

New versions of consoles are developed continually and have sold in hundreds of millions around the world. The gaming industry is now worth almost as much as the film industry, taking in more than 8 billlion dollars in 2008.

Social Networking

Around the world, every day, billions of minutes are spent by computer users on voarious social networking sities. They have completely changed the way we interact and who we interact with.

Millions of people now communicate tiny details of their lives by ‘poking’, ‘twittering’ and ‘posting.’

Online social networking has allowed some people to renew friendships with friends they lost touch with years ago, while others chat online with complete strangers on the other side of the world.

Text Messages

Text messaging has created a new vocabulary and new gramar which is almost incomprehensible to those who do not use it. LOL and FYI were nothing more than a series of letters a short time ago. They have now passed everyday English.

“texting” has also changed the way people use their thumbs—the old QWERTY keyboard layout suddenly became unwieldy. Among 13- 13 to 17 year-olds, text messaging now outweighs old-fashioned phone calls by seven to one.

Electronic Money

Nowadays, a huge percentage of all purchases are made with plasctic cards instead of cash. Combined with Internet banking, cards have made the check almost redundant. Credit cards give us greater convenience for spending, greater security and the ability to spend money quickly anywhere i n the world.

However, these handy pieces of plastic do not come without a Price. They have brought on Internet fraud. Furthermore, the ability to buy things even when we have no cash has led to record levels of debt.

Microwaves

Not the ovens, but electromagnetic waves. Microwaves—electromagnetic radiation with wavelenghts ranging between one millimeter and one meter –are used by mobile pones, wireless broadband Internet and satellite televisions.

Radar, which helps countries during times of war, also uses microwave radiation. While microwaves have given us a new way to cook food quickly, they have provided the US military with a “less-than-lethal” weapon that can blast victims with a heatware.

Sneakers

Sneakers changed fashion and the feet of ganerations. The manufacturing process that melded rubber to cloth was first used in 1892, but it was not until the 1970s that this type of footwear took off. With the help of celebrity endorsements by sporting superstars such as basketball legend Michael Jordan, sneakers turned from being purely practical clothing to wear while playing sports into an everyday fashion item.

The British Army reports that thanks to sneakers young people, whose feetnare now too soft to wear tradition military boots, are growing up without ever wearing leather-soled shoes.

So there you have it! Does this list compare with yours? How many of the inventions memtioned do you use in your daily activities? Thanks to the creativity of human beings, the future is sure to bring manyn more inventions that we can now only imagine, but thath will become indispesable in our daily lives.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Read the sentences and write T (true) or F (false).

a) GPS systems use a network of satellites to pinpoint the the exact position of receiver.

b) Bar codes can only store information about prices.

c) Credit cards have only had a positive impacto n personal finance.

2.- Match the words to their definitions.

a) impact adj exceeding what is necessary or normal

b) indispesable adj convenient

c) ionic n the effect of one thing on another

d) handy adj representative, symbolic

e) redundant adj absolutely necessary

3.- Discuss the questions.

a) Which invention do you think is the most useful? Why?

b) Which inventions are the most recent?

c) How do you think technology will change these invetions in the future?

Cultural Differences

I have just returned from a visit to Mexico. My granmother (on my mom’s side) is Mexican and we all went to visit her, my aunts, uncles, and cousins in the south of the country. It was a real eye-opening experience for me. I had never left the United States before, and it was great to meet my distant cousins. Also I am learning Spanish at school, so it was a good chance for me to practice it! However, I was brought up here in the US, and I noticed a few social and cltural differences between our two countries.

First, I noticed how different family life is in Mexico. In many homes, the extended family lives together. In my aunt’s house, there are three generations and both my granmother and aunt spend a lot of time working at home taking care of the young children. In our house, there is only my close family—my sister, ny mom, my dad and me. I only see my American grandparents once or twice a year—they live on the other side of the country. But we still talk on the phone every week.

We met many new people during our stay and I noticed that the way people meet and greet is quite different. In the US, we usually just say, “Hello, nice to meet you,”and that’s it! In Mexico, people are very open and there is much more physical contact. Everybody was shaking hands and hugging and Kissing every time they met orv got up to leave! It made me feel uncomfortable, but my cousins just laughed at me and said that Iwas “reserved.”

People do shake hands in the US, but usually only in formal situations. For example, my mom and dad often shake hands with their business associates. We sometimes hug our close friends but only very briefly. I also noticed that Mexicans generally stand closer together when they are talking to each other. On one ocassion, I moved away from my cousin when he was speaking to me. He thought I was being rude, so I apologized nad explained that for me it is normal to stand further away from who I am speaking to.

I’ve already said my spanish is pretty bad, and I found it particularly confusing to know whn to be formal or informal. When should I use tu or usted? At school, I am being told by my teacher to use usted with people senior to me or people I do not know. Well, as it was my first time in Mexico, that meant practically everybody! People soon told me to use tu, but it was important for me to remember that politeness is built into the language.

Another big difference I noticed was the attitude to timing and punctuality. On our last night, my aunt and uncle invited friends and family to their house for a party to say good-bye. It said 8 p.m. on the invitation, but by 9 p.m. nobody was there. My was getting annoyed because we were being made to wait—US punctuality is immportant, even for social events. But my Mexican relatives weren’t concerned about people being late. In the end, everybody arrived, and we all had a good time.

One night, we were all invited to a restaurant by my uncle. At the end of the meal my dad wanted to Split the bill. My uncle refused. Apparently, if you invite someone out to eat in Mexico, then you are usually expected to pay the bill. In the States we normally share the bill

between everybody. Eventually, my dad let my uncle pay, and then he invited the whole family for another meal the following night! There is always a solution for everything!

I found that I eat a lot faster than my cousins. At home, I am always in a rush. I eat my breakfast in five minutes before I go to school, and usually have my lunch in a short time too. My Mexican family generally spends a long time—about two hours—over lunch. On the first day, I was finishing my soup before they have even started—it was embarrassing! Dinner, in the evening, was usually lighter and always eaten together with the family. This was different for me—at home, I am usually in bed before dad gets home.

There are all general observations about the differences between my lifein the US and the lives of my family in Mexico, but I’m sure each familly is different. And there are also many similarities between my cousin and me. For example, we like the same music (rock), and we even like the same football team (the 49ers). We also have the same problems at school (too much homework, boring clases, and girls ignoring us).

Now my cousin and I are always chatting with each other online. It’s great to know that we can be friends despeite being from different cultures. He is very proud of Mexico’s long and diverse cultural history. At the sametime, I am proud of my way of life n the US, which is also influenced by cultures from all over the world. I think that it s possible for us to intrgrate without lossing our identities. Anyway, life would be boring if we were all the same.

Comprehension Check

1.- Mark the sentences T (true) or F (false).

a) It was the boy’s first visit to Mexico.

b) The boy didn’t like his cousin, so he stood further away from him.

c) The boy from the US learned Spanish at school.

d) The boy’s dad paid for the meal in the restaurant.

e) The two cousins had nothing in common.

2.- Complete the sentences with the words in the box.

Polite Rush Annoyed Hug

a) It is common for Mexicans to each other when they meet.b) In Mexico, it is to use usted when talking to people you do not

know.c) The american boy ate his food quickly because he was in a .d) It is important to be patient and not get by cultural differences.

3.- In groups, discuss the questions.

a) What difficulties do you think travelers to other countries can have?

b) How can they overcome these difficulties?

c) What other similarities and differences are there between Mexico and the US (food, music, etc.)?

Obesity in AdolescentsObesity is a health condition which is characterized by an excess accumulation of weight. It is caused by unhealthy eatings habits together with a sendentary lifestyle. A few extra pounds do not suggest obesity. However, they may indicate tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and exercise habits. Generally, a young person is not considered obese until the weight is at least 10 percent higher than what is recommended for his or her height and body type.

Acording to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is oone of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. The number of obese people has tripled in many countries since the 1980s. The problem is increasing at an especially alarming rate among teenagers. Some studies show a serious problem with boys, who are overweight in greater numbers than girls.

In many places the level of obesity is ten times higher than in the 1970s. From five to thirty-five percent of thirteen- to fifteen-year –olds have excess body weight. If action is not taken now, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2020, up to 50 percent of all adolescents in some countries could be obese.

There are many causes of obesity. They are complex and include genetic, biological, behavioral and cultural factors. Family habits play a big part as well. If one parent is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that the children may also be obese. However, when both parents are obese, the children have an 80 percent chance of being obese. Althought certain medical problems can cause obesity, less than one percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems.

The psycological effects of excess weight can be serious as well. Obesity increases the risk of emmotional problems, particulary in adolescents. Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their peers. Depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems can also occur.

The economic cost of obesity-related illness is also rising. Many authorities around the world are struggling with increasing maedical bills. In Europe alone, obesity is resposible for as much as eight percent of total health care costs. Excess weight is universally recognized as a risk factor in hearth disease, diabetes, cáncer, and osteoarthritis. Other healts problems caused by excess weight are high blood pressure, asthma, and problems during pregnancy.

But how does one become obese? Generally, obesity occurs when a person regularly eats more calories than the body burns. Adequate body weight results from the balance of regular physical activity combined with eating a proper diet in the correct amounts on a daily basis.

Research has shown that people who engage in regular physical activity are not only more likely to mointain a healthy weight, they are also at lower risk m¡for many illnesses. It is also true that more physically active people benefit from a general sense of well-being that relates to physical health, and they have a higher capacity to deal with stress than sedentary people.

Regular physical activity is defined as a minimumof 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five to seven days per week.

Physical activities such as walking, cycling, or dancing not only make you feel good, but also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, help control weight, and contribute to mental well-being. Taking part in physical activity also increases opportunities for making friends and feeling part of the community.

Apart from maintaining regular physical, eating a healthy diet in the proper amounts is critical in the fight against weight gain and obesity. Diet is especially important for teenagers who are still growing and tend to have larger appetites. Eating well can be difficult during adolescence. There are lifestyles factors such as hanging around with friends, frequenting fast food outlets, and snaking, that can lead to an excess of fat, sugar, and calories in the diet.

Eating foods that have Little nutritional value makes it difficult to get enough essential vitamins and minerals. Although this is true for everyone, it is particularly important during the rapid growth of puberty, a time when the body has increased need for key nutrients.

It is not always necessary to purposely try to lose weight, but more useful to stay physically active and eat in the right way. Be sure toe at breakfast everyday and avoid snacks that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. Most importantly, eat a variety of foods in moderation.

Obesity is not a problem for young people. Each of us has to take responsability and confront this epidemic.while it is true that individuals need to control their personal nutrition and exercise habits, lawmakers must enact health poilicies that encourage more physical activity and good nutrition. It is also important tht both school and workplace stress the benefits of healthy food and exercise, and provide opportunities for students and employees to make healthy choices.

Comprehension Check.

1.- Read the sentences and write T (true) or F (false).

a) There is no evidence that obesity causes heart disease.

b) The rate of obesity among teenagers increasing around the world.

c) Diet is not important in maaintaining a healthy weight, but exercise is critical.

2.- Use the words to complete the sentences.

essential sedentary increasing significant

a) Fast food does not provide vitamins that our bodies need.

b) Obesity rates around the world are each year.

c) There is a amount of sugar in soft drinks and this can cause weught gain.

d) People who work in an office and get little exercise have a lifestyle.

3.- In groups, discuss the questions.

a) What kinds of food do you normally eat?

b) What foods should teenagers avoid eating?