CPI Tino Grandío Bilingual Sections: comprehension

Showing posts with label comprehension. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Song: Arcade

Try doing this activity while you listen to Duncan Lawrence Eurovision Song Contest Winner song, Arcade.

Duncan lawrence arcade from Ana Arias Castro

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Differences between Christmas in Britain and in the USA

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Earth Day Doodle

Watch this video (without or with subtitles) and try to answer the following questions:

SOME QUESTIONS:

Can you say something about Jane Goodall's childhood?
How did Jane feel one day at Gombe National Park?
What is her message to all of us?

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Vancouver riots

READ ABOUT IT:

WATCH THIS VIDEO:

Now it's your turn to try and explain what happened.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Environment

SOME QUESTIONS:

Do you think this idea is feasible? Why?
What will the most important problems be?
Can you think of any other good ideas to keep our environment cleaner?

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Environmental issues

What other environmental problems can you list?
Can you think of any in your area?

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Big city small world - British Council - audio file

Big city small world - British Council - pdf

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

"Every Breath You Take" by The Police

ACTIVITIES

Write the words in three groups: break, day, face, make, play, embrace, say, stay, take, trace, aches and take.

/ei/	/eis/	/eik/
day	face	break

Now complete the song with those words:

EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE

1 Every breath you __________

Every move you __________

Every bond you _________

Every step you _________

I’ll be watching you.

2 Every single __________

Every word you __________

Every game you __________

Every night you __________

I’ll be watching you.

3 Oh can’t you see

You belong to me

How my poor heart __________

With every step you take.

4 Since you’ve gone

I’ve been lost without a __________

I dream at night I can only see your _________

I look around but it’s you I can’t __________

I feel so cold and I long for your ___________

I keep crying, baby, baby, please

More songs and activities for English as a Foreign Language students.

"Let Her Go" by Passenger

Mike Rosenberg, Passsenger, is an English folk-rock singer who has become famous with his song, Let Her Go.

QUESTIONS:

how does the narrator feel?
what has he/she recently experienced?

LYRICS
Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go

Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
'Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast

Well you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
'Cause you loved her too much
And you dived too deep

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go
And you let her go
Well you let her go

'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go

Interview to Mike Rosenberg

More songs and activities for English as a Foreign Language students.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Reading Comprehension text: Internet access in the UK

TEXT

Original text by Greg Sterling Marketing Land

In a new global Mobile Media Consumption report, it is said that, outside the US and UK, mobile media time spent now exceeds TV. However in the US, TV is still first. The Mobile Media Consumption research had aboout 14,000 respondents in 14 countries.

In emerging and especially less affluent markets, the report also confirms that mobile media time exceeds the PC internet. That’s now also true in the US.

Also consistent with other data, it is said that 61 percent of mobile internet users are on their devices while watching TV. The figures for the US market are even more pronounced: “84 percent of smartphone and tablet owners say they use their devices as second-screens while watching TV at the same time.”

According to this research this second screening is dominated by social activity, including social networking and texting.

Outside the US and UK smartphones are preferred for conducting most types of internet activities except for “shopping,” which in the report includes all purchases, banking and travel.

The report also finds that globally people are going online primarily via mobile or spending the same internet time using the mobile and the PC. Those who go online “mostly via computer” are now a small minority:

Mostly via Desktop — 11 percent

Evenly split between both mobile and PC — 28 percent

Mostly via mobile — 37 percent

Only via mobile — 23 percent

More significantly, outside the US and UK markets, the report says that mobile media now have a greater influence on shopping decisions than TV. TV was second followed by the PC internet.

The final portion of the report is about mobile commerce, with the assertion (excluding the US and UK) that “83 percent of consumers plan to conduct mobile commerce in the next 12 months, a 15 percent increase from where we are today.”

So, in general, mobile internet time is now greater than PC internet time. Many audience segments prefer mobile to PC internet access and mobile commerce is growing.

adapted from http://marketingland.com/outside-us-60-percent-internet-access-mostly-mobile-74498

QUESTIONS:

Do people spend more time watching TV or using their smartphones? Is it the same everywhere?
Look at the first infographic. What does "the media" mean?
What is a "device"?
Where do more people watch TV and use their smartphones at the same time?
What is "second screening"?
What type of smartphone use is made while watching TV? reading books, shopping, social-media, writing emails...?
Are mobile media relevant for shopping decisions?
Do many people plan to buy goods via internet in the next 12 months? Is that your case?
Finally, how has internet changed our life?

PRINTABLE VERSION

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Newspaper headlines

Newspaper headlines are usually written as incomplete sentences as they have to be short, so they are often difficult to understand. These are some of the conventions used:

There is often no verb:

Unexpected Visit (=There Has Been An Unexpected Visit)

Three, four, or more words are linked together. Reading backwards -starting at the end- can help you:

Furniture Factory Pay Cut Row (=There has been a row -disagreement- in a furniture factory over pay cuts)

Some verb changes are commonly used:

Simple tenses insted of continuous or perfect forms

Forgotten Brother Appears (=A forgotten brother has appeared)
Opposition Backs PM (=The opposition supports the Prime Minister)

The infinitive refers to the future:

PM To Visit Australia (=The Prime Minister is Going to Visit Australia)

Auxiliary verbs are dropped in the passive form:

Man Killed In Accicent (=A man has been killed in an accident)

No articles

President Declares Celebration (=The President has declared a celebration)
Terror Alert In The Capital (=There has been a terror alert in the capital)

Vocabulary. Short words are preferred, even if they are not commonly used anywhere else:

ACT: take action
AID (noun): military or financial help
AID (verb): help
ALLEDGE: make an accusation
APPEAR: appear in court accused of a crime
AXE (noun): abolition
AXE (verb) abolish; close down
BACK: support
BAN: forbid
BAR: refuse
BID: attempt
BLAST: explosion; criticise violently
BLAZE: fire
BLOW: bad news
BOND: association
BOOM: big increase
BOOST: encourage
CALL FOR: demand
CAMPAIGN: organized effort
CLAIM: make a statement that something is true
CLASH: quarrel; fight
CURB: restrict
DRAMA: incident
DUMP:dismiss
EMBRACE: meet; agree to
FEAR(S): worry; concern
FEUD: quarrel
FURY: anger
GRAB:confiscate; steal
HIT: affect
HURDLE: difficulty; obstacle
KEY: answer; solution
OPT FOR: choose
OUST: replace
OUTRAGE: anger
PLAN: proposal
PLEA: request
PLEDGE: promise
PROBE: investigate
PURGE: control
PUSH FOR: ask for; insist on
QUIT: leave; resign
QUIZ: question
RAP: criticize; reprove
RAID: attack
RIDDLE: mystery
ROW: disagreement
SOAP (OPERA): TV series
SET TO: ready to
SEX ROMP: sex affair
SHAKE UP: reform
SHUN: avoid
SINK: destroy; eliminate
SLAM: criticise
SNAG: criticise
SNUB: difficulty; problem
SOAR: increase; rise
SPLIT: division; separation
STORM: attack; anger
SWOOP: raid
THREAT: possibility
TURMOIL: controversy; chaoes
VOW: promise
WAR: rivalry
WED: marry; get married
WOES: problems

Read more:

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Reading Comprehension Exercise: Galicia in the United Kingdom

Some months ago we could read a surprising petition by Antonio Formoso Cores (Vigo) at Change.org for Galicia to become part of the United Kingdom in case Scotland voted against staying as part of it. It is addressed at the British Prime Minister, Mr. James Cameron. Read the text and answer the following questions:

TEXT:

We Galicians are aware of the fact that Scotland may become independent in 2014 and that this issue is worrying you. You needn't think of a solution to this challenge because we have found an innovative proposal that you won't be able to refuse:

We propose you to accept Galiza as an integral part of the United Kingdom.

This may come as a surprise to you but Galiza is also a Celtic nation in the northwest of Spain. With us on board you won't miss the following:

Scottish pipes: we have our own.
Celtic of Glasgow: we have Celta Vigo
An amazing landscape, we have that too
Scottish clans, we have plenty of them (caciques are included)
Our people like their drinks as Scots do
We have a vibrant cultural and music scene
In Galiza it also rains a lot
We have a strong identity like Scottish people do.
We are also an Atlantic country
Flags of both countries have similar colours
We also have some stingy people.
Santiago of Compostela is our Edinburgh

With Galicians as part of the UK, you will gain the following:

Hard-working people
Galician people accent (in English) is easier to understand than the Scottish accent
If you leave us alone, we won't bother you
Lovely food and drinks (e.g. cozido instead of haggies, licor cafe instead of whisky, etc.)
We speak the most spoken Roman languages of the world: Portuguese (Galician) and Spanish (Galician). We are able to communicate with both Brazil and Mexico using our two languages.
Milder weather than in Scotland
We share a similar sense of humour with British people (“retranca” is the Galician irony)
British economy will improve with our fishing industry, textile (e.g. Zara), cultural tourism (The Way of St James), best beach of the world (Praia de Rodas, Ilhas Cies ,Vigo).
Our seafood is worldwide famous (mussels, oysters, lobsters, etc.)

We look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

QUESTIONS:

Is this text serious or ironic? Why?
Which of the reasons given is the most convicing?
If you had to write a reply telling why it is not a good idea to become part of the United Kingdom, which three reasons would you mention?

MORE:

If you want to read more about the topic, have a look at all the comments displayed.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Songs for EFL classes

If you are studying English, listening to songs and doing the following activities might be helpful if you want to have a good time while learning English:

All these songs can be found in the SONGS page in this blog.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Reading Comprehension text - Ridiculous laws from around the world

Read the following text and choose:

three laws that are surprising
three laws that shouldn't exist anywhere in the world
three laws that should exist everywhere in the world

RIDICULOUS LAWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

1. Interracial marriage was still illegal in Alabama in 2000.

2. Since 1986, US authorities have had the legal right to access any 180-day old email, without a warrant.

3. In Mobile, Alabama, it is against the law to throw confetti or spray silly string.

4. In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal for any woman to drive a car. Right now, it’s illegal for them to vote too. Apparently it will become legal in 2015 (how sweet).

5. In Dubai, extramarital sex is against the law and could result in jail sentences for over a year. Which means that in rape cases, both the victim and the perpetrator could end up being charged with the same crime.

6. In Saudi Arabia, there is no minimum age for marriage. In 2008, a Saudi court refused an 8-year-old girl, who asked for a divorce from her 58-year-old husband.

7. In 29 states in the US it is legal to fire someone for being gay.

8. The only two states where divorce is illegal are the Philippines and The Vatican.

9. In Thailand it is illegal to step on money.

10. In Singapore, selling non-medical chewing gum or chewing normal gum is a fine of $1000. A second offense costs $2000 and being forced to clean a public area of the city for a day. If a person litters three times, they must clean the streets wearing a bib that reads “I’m a litterer.” Even pharmacists who sell the medical gum and forget to ID get two years in jail. Spitting is also illegal and can result in arrest.

11. In July 2013 a law was passed in China that states it is illegal for adult children to not visit their parents “often” in China. They are also required to attend to their parent’s spiritual needs.

12. There is a law in South Carolina called the no “mock proposal” law, which states that anybody above the age of 16-years-old is not allowed to perform a proposal if they do not mean it.

13. In Montana, “proxy weddings” are allowed for those serving in the military, which means a friend can pretend to be the groom or the bride and the union will still be considered valid. In some cases both the bride and the groom are absent.

14. In Iowa, it is illegal for a man with a mustache to kiss a woman in public.

15. In Britain it is illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances.

16. In Vermont, a wife needs the husband’s permission to wear false teeth.

17. In Britain, it is illegal to import potatoes into England or Wales if you have reasonable cause to believe that they are Polish.

18. In Utah you can marry your cousin, but only if you are both over the age of 65. Because, you know, when you turn 65 you’re known to have impeccable judgment.

19. In Britain you are not allowed to let your pet mate with any pet form the royal house.

20. In Kentucky, a woman cannot remarry the same man more than three times.

21. In France, it is stated as illegal to marry a dead person.

22. In Britain, it is illegal to carry a plank along the pavement.

23. In Britain it is illegal to operate a cow while intoxicated.

24.In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to tie a dollar bill to a string on the ground and pull it away when someone tries to pick it up.

25. In Florida, it’s illegal to fart in a public place after 6pm on a Thursday.

26.In England it is illegal to die in the House Of Parliament, but something tells me that if someone did do this, they wouldn’t face many repercussions?

27. By law, any whale or great Sturgeon caught in the UK is the property of the Queen.

28.In Samoa it is illegal to forget your wife’s birthday.

29.In Britain, oddly enough it is illegal to be drunk in the pub.

30. In Missouri it is illegal to drive with an uncaged bear

31. In Turin, Italy, dog owners must take their dogs on a walk at least three times a day.

32. In Honolulu, Hawaii it is illegal to sing loudly after sunset.

33. In Victoria, Australia, it is illegal to change a light bulb unless you’re a licensed electrician.

34.In the UK, a law still exists from the Middle Ages that requires all males over the age of 14 to be trained in shooting a long bow.

35. Bangladeshi children of 15 and older can be sent to jail for cheating on their final exams.

36.In Florida it is illegal for a divorced or a widowed woman to skydive on a Sunday afternoon.

37. In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush a toilet after 10pm. This one confounds me.

38.In Canada, any comic book that portrays illegal activity is banned.

39.In Argentina, there is a law that states that Argentine nightclubs must play the same amount of tango music as all other forms of music combined.

40. In China, it is a law that a person must be intelligent to go to college.

41. Married New Yorkers cannot get divorced on grounds of irreconcilable differences unless both marriage partners agree on those grounds.

42.In Tennessee it is legal to carry a loaded firearm into a bar. Seems safe.

43.In France, it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon. Apparently this is a slight to the great French general and emperor.

44. In Britain it is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the monarch’s head upside down on an envelope.

45.In Russia, Vladimir Putin just recently made it illegal to tell kids that gay people exist.

46. In Colorado it is illegal to collect rainwater. Apparently farmers and landowners are being punished for this.

Adapted from http://thoughtcatalog.com/rachel-hodin/2013/10/67-ridiculous-laws-from-around-the-world-that-still-actually-exist/

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Mussolini and fascists take over Italy

This ESL video has a listening comprehension exercise about Italy in the fascist era.

http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz.php?id=19158

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

EFL Weather forecast comprehension exercise

This activity has been designed for you to get some specific information from the following YouTube video. Click here and get to the activity.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

ESO-3 Reading comprehension exercise

Read the text and answer the following questions:

Back Together

Tamara Rabi had no idea Adriana Scott existed until students at a university in Long Island began confusing her with the other girl. The girls were born in Mexico and then adopted by different sets of parents in the US. Tamara grew up with Jewish parents on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Adriana was raised a Catholic in a Long Island suburb of the city. But each girl had no idea she had a twin until Tamara moved to Long Island.

In 2003 a friend of Adriana's turned up at Tamara's 20th birthday party and could not believe his eyes. Tamara had already noticed how some people on her university campus smiled and said hello, clearly mistaking her for somebody else.

In 2004 they decided to meet so Tamara contacted Adriana by email and soon afterwards they met in a car park. "I didn't know what to say, except hi. I was just in shock to see myself", says Adriana. The funny thing is that they grew up just 20 miles apart.

“We have the same mannerisms, the same interests, the same grades in school," Adriana says.

"We had the same dream when we were younger. It was a nightmare... A really loud noise, followed by a real quiet one," adds Tamara.

Adriana's mother was the only family member on either side who knew she had a twin, but she had no idea where she might be. After agonising over it, she kept it secret to avoid the pain of a possibly fruitless search - a judgement which Adriana agrees with.

"In some ways it's the best of both worlds, as I have a sister but I haven't grown up in a state of sibling rivalry," she says.

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3343763.stm

True or false:

In 2004, Tamara met Adriana.
Tamara met Adriana at a party.
Tamara and Adriana are similar.
Adriana knew she had a twin even before she met Tamara.
The two girls grew up in different countries.
They want to be rivals.

Answer the following questions:

Why did people at university stare at them?
How did Tamara contact Adriana?
How are Tamara and Adriana similar? Give two examples.
Why didn't Adriana's mother tell her about her sister?
How do the girls feel about each other today?

Key to this exercise

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