THE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR ENGLISH
2011
for
Music
Paolo Nutini 6
Report Stop Pollution!
8
Poster Scotland
12
In Britain The Boxing Day Dip
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Cartoon
The concert
Where have you been? You had to give out the leaflets for the concert!
Ah…yes, are these the leaflets for the concert?”
© dargaud
Unauthorised photocopyng is illegal.
So ….. are the concert tickets these coloured ones?
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Hi everyone!
Contents
December is here and Christmas is in the air! In this edition of Tot you will find some interesting articles about Christmas and New Year celebrations in the English-speaking world. And that’s not all! In the section “Going Green” you’ll discover new ways of doing things without causing pollution! And to all of you who are music lovers, don’t forget to have a look at the article on page 4! Happy reading and happy Christmas to you all!
The Flash on English Editorial Team www.elimagazines.com
info@elimagazines.com
Good News…
Well, here we are! Are you ready for the next adventure of the Pevensie family? The third episode of The Chronicles of Narnia is entitled The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Lucy and Edmund (this time without Susy and Peter), along with their cousin Eustace, have to help Prince Caspian in an important quest: to find the seven lost Lords of Narnia. They have to make a long and dangerous trip across the sea on board the Dawn Treader and along the way they meet dwarfs, dragons and some quite peculiar soldiers. The mix of interesting characters and an intriguing* plot* result in a spectacular film!
] ] ] ]
The Clacsons What a clever invention!
5
Report Stop Pollution!
6
Poster Scotland
8 10
Going Green The Self-sufficient Farm
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In Britain The Boxing Day Dip
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Games Corner
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Australia Today Christmas Lunch on the Beach
GRAMMY In this edition: • • • • •
phrasal verbs past simple passive adverbs of frequency zero conditional relative pronoun “which”
* Glossary
“Aslan” means “lion” in which language? [ [ [ [
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Tot Mail
The Chronicles of Narnia 1, 2 … and 3!
a. b. c. d.
Music Paolo Nutini
intriguing: very interesting because it is unusual or mysterious plot: the story of a film
Italian Japanese Turkish Russian Answers on page 15.
Common European Framework Elementary Level A2-B1
33
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Music
Paolo Nutini is a talented Scottish singer and songwriter. His parents are both Scottish although his father’s family are originally Italian. When he was just 17, Paolo moved to London and his music quickly became very popular. Now, he is one of Scotland’s most famous singers!
Paolo
Nutini
How did he start? Paolo was encouraged to sing by his grandfather, Jackie, and from a very young age he was interested in the music business. His big chance came in 2003 when he was at a concert in his home town of Paisley. The singer was delayed so Paolo got the chance to get up* in front of the audience and perform a couple* of songs during the delay. The audience went crazy* for him and he was approached* by a man called Brendan Moon who offered to become his manager.
Fact: Paolo doesn’t come from a musical family. In fact his parents own a fish and chip shop in Paisley, Scotland.
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Paolo says: “I like music because it’s expressive, you can convey* whatever you’re thinking through a song”.
Paolo’s first album Paolo’s first album came out* in 2006, just after his 18th birthday. It was called These Streets and it became a huge success immediately! He then began touring the UK and performed all over the country. Because he was so popular, his concerts sold out* very quickly! His second album, Sunny Side Up, was released in 2009 and it has been a big hit*! phrasal verbs past simple passive - adjectives
Put the words in the correct order to make sentences about Paolo
4 4
1. was/to/Paolo/by/grandfather/encouraged/sing/his 2. The/delayed/so/a couple/singer/Paolo performed/ of songs/was 3. Paolo/ approached/man/Brendan Moon/was/called/ by a 4. first album/ “These Streets”/His/called/was 5. album/released/Paolo’s/ in 2009/second/was
Answers on page 15.
* glossary came out: (here) was available to buy convey: express couple: (here) one or two get up: stand up hit: (here) success sold out: there were no more tickets available was approached: (here) a man introduced himself to Paolo went crazy: (here) were very enthusiastic
cartoon Th e
S
They’ve invented a machine which makes rain.
When you speak, vapour goes into the microphone.
Everyone, listen to this!
Wow!
Condensation forms, which becomes water. We can water the garden with those showers.
THE GIRLS CHATTED AND CHATTED …
THAT DAY … Okay, for lunch we’ll make pasta with ragù sauce, a mixed roast and lots of vegetables …
IN THE EVENING DAD HOPED THAT THEY’D MADE A LOT OF RAIN TO WATER THE GARDEN.
I love it!
The CD is mine. Don’t break it!
BUT ONLY EVA, LINDA AND SARA’S SHOWERS WERE FULL OF WATER. DAD AND ALEX SHOULD TALK MORE!
You think that everything is yours, but it’s not true. My friend gave me this CD.
Women! What a clever invention!
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THE CLACSONS ARE REAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS…
What a Clever Invention!
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Report
STOP
Pollution! Here is a series of creative projects and clever* inventions to reduce pollution on our planet. Happy reading!
Nature needs our help! Every year Greener Gadgets is held in New York. It is a conference dedicated to all different types of ecological* products. Nature needs our help and we can reduce pollution with technology and environmental sustainability*. Greener Gadgets exhibits some very clever inventions. Let’s have a look at a few together. For kids What about Rocco? Rocco is a very clever rocking-horse and when children play on him, he produces electrical energy which is used to light up his ears. These ears can then be used as light bulbs!
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For adults The scientists at Greener Gadgets have invented an Mp3 player which has a special handle: when the handle is turned, the battery charges in just a few seconds. For couch-potatoes* Even the worst couch-potato can use solar energy! Small solar panels can be attached to bags and rucksacks so that you always have a source of energy!
present passive; zero conditional; relative pronoun “which”.
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* Glossary clever: intelligent couch-potatoes: lazy people who sit on the sofa (or couch) and watch TV all day! dispose of: to throw away ecological: with respect for nature environmental sustainability: (here) when something is produced with no pollution pipes: tubes for carrying water pour: to move a liquid from one place to another
Technology waste Telephones and compters can’t be thrown away like normal rubbish. They have to be disposed of* correctly. This is why there are now “e-waste islands”: collection points for technology waste.
Choose one of the four animals below and discover what type of energy you have!
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Profiles
In a few years we will be able to travel on a very special boat: a boat which cleans water! On this boat there will be a network of pipes which will collect the water, clean it and pour* it back into the river.
[ ] a. Dolphin [ ] b. Lizard [ ] c. Seagull [ ] d. Lion
Dolphin: you are lively and curious. You don’t sit still for very long. Your energy is, without a doubt, kinetic. Lizard: you are a little bit lazy and you only move when necessary. But when you do you move very fast. Your energy is solar. Seagull: no-one can catch you but you give strength to those around you. Exactly like the energy of the wind. Lion: no-one can really relax around you. You are very lazy and very strong which is a great mix of solar and kinetic energy!
A water-cleaning boat
poster
Scotland
a
of English
This month we take a closer look at another English-speaking country: Scotland. Scotland forms part of the British Isles and is made up of the mainland, to the north of England, and nearly 800 islands. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland but the country’s largest city is Glasgow. The Scottish national dress is tartan, a coloured fabric which is made into a long skirt for women and a kilt (a type of skirt) for men.
Hogmanay is the Scottish festival of New Year, which is celebrated on the night of the 31st December and sometimes continues until 2nd January! Traditionally, part of the festival involves “first-footing” which starts straight after midnight on Hogmanay. People go to the homes of friends or family and if they are the “first-foot” (the first people to enter the house that year) they should take various symbolic gifts to bring different types of good luck.
Below is a list of presents that people take when they go first-footing. Can you guess what they represent? 1. salt
a. warmth
2. coal
b. riches
3. cake or biscuits
c. hospitality
4. whisky
d. a family who is never hungry Answers on page 15.
Tot Mail
t o T r a e D
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old. I’m 12 years m I’ d n ka weeks e is Mar in a few My nam e s u a c e n’t to you b ear I wo writing ut this y b s a m t ho love Chris ents, w r a it will be p y m : winter at home go on a spend it o t d e id w ave dec on’t kno skiing, h tains. I d n u o m e to th bored in holiday et really g I d n a stay at ski how to prefer to d I’ o s , ntains s with the mou Christma e t a r b le e d ce ear we’v home an ct, this y a f In . s d ogether my frien r party t a e Y w e daN t my organise o go. Bu t t n a w lly they’re and I rea ree and g ark, a ’t n M o d s them… parents from go with tter hristma ose o t e e l m a be nice C h forcing posed to p blish for the t from t u s u le p p eo ? we ren lans Aren’t p hristmas ition ut his p ttle diffe d e her at C t o i s l h o i c a h b e to In t talks a h are a c who ays whi ! s holid parent s i h of
Mark
Dear Mark, What will you do this Christmas? Do you remember a Christmas when you really enjoyed yourself?
Tell us all about it!
Don’t be so angry with your mum and dad. It’s normal that you want to celebrate Christmas with your friends but it’s also nice to spend the holidays in the mountains. Even if you don’t like skiing there are other things that you can do such as games, parties and trekking*. You’ll make a lot of new friends and we’re sure that you’ll really enjoy yourself! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tot Editorial Team * glossary trekking: guided walks in the countryside
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Going Green
It’s the first farm to produce almost everything that it needs by itself. A group of American biologists founded this farm in 1995: they wanted to show that it is possible to live without causing pollution. And they did! Every year they host* tourists and volunteers. They are also in touch* with 700 school all over the world to help them to learn about the beauty and the strength of nature. It’s a completely ecological farm! It was built using terracotta bricks and other natural materials; solar panels provide electrical energy; they can even produce gas and 150 different types of plants are grown without using any chemical products.
farm Unauthorised photocopyng is illegal.
The self-sufficient
An ecological house Which materials can be used to build an ecological house? [ [ [ [ [
] solar panels ] cement ] wood ] clay bricks ] lead Answers on page 15.
Permaculture This strange word comes from “permanent culture”, which is a way of life based on three main principles 1) Taking care of the earth, 2) Taking care of each other, 3) Sharing* resources*. It’s a way of life which allows us to live without polluting the environment..
* glossary host: to give accommodation to someone in touch: in contact sharing: letting other people use things which belong to you resources: (here) everything that nature provides for us to use
Relative pronoun “which”; introduction to past passive
11
In Britain
The Boxing Day Dip
For most people 26th December is traditionally a day to relax after the festivities* of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but for the people of Sunderland, in the North East of England, it’s always the perfect day to go for a swim – in the North Sea!
Brrrrr!
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Boxing Day, 26th December, is usually cold and often snowy in the North of England and the temperature is normally between 3 and 7 degrees celsius, but can sometimes be as low as -5! Why then, do many people go for a swim in the icy North Sea? The answer: to raise money for charity*!
* glossary dip: (here) a swim/a dive eccentric: very unusual/ a little crazy fancy dress: special costumes festivities: celebrations mayor: the city manager/leader raise money for charity: to collect money and give it to charity sponsor: offer to give money to someone if they do a particular task adverbs of frequency;
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The Story The Boxing Day Dip began in 1974 when a group of 40 people decided to raise money for charity by doing something very eccentric*: going for a swim in the North Sea on Boxing Day. Since then the tradition has grown and it now attracts over 1000 participants and more than 10,000 spectators. People sponsor* the swimmers to take a dip* in the icy waters and last year they raised £65,000 for various charitable organisations.
No Ordinary Swimming Costumes Some of these brave swimmers even dress up in fancy dress* and there is a competition for the best costume, which is judged by Sunderland’s Mayor*. You can see people dressed as Santa Claus, various cartoon characters, Roman soldiers, fairies, clowns and of course giant Christmas presents!
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
T
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Are the sentences true or false?
F
Sunderland is in the South of England. It is usually cold in December in Sunderland. Boxing Day is the day before Christmas Day. The Boxing Day Dip began in 1972. Last year the Boxing Day Dip raised over ÂŁ65,000 for charity. People normally wear diving suits to do the Boxing Day Dip. Answers on page 15.
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games corner
A. Crossword Did you enjoy the report in this edition of A Tot of English? Now, try to complete the crossword below! 1 Rocco produces ___________ energy 2 E-waste ___________ are collection points for technology waste. 3 Greener Gadgets is a _____________ which is dedicated to ecological products. 4 Even the worst ___________-__________ can use solar energy. 5 ______________ needs our help. 6 Greener Gadgets __________ some very clever inventions. 7 Telephones and _____________ can’t be thrown away like normal rubbish. 8 Rocco’s ears can be used as light ____________. 1. 2. 4.
5.
6.
3.
7. 8.
B
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Can you identify 2 nationalities and 8 adjectives in the article about Paolo Nutini? Now find them in the grid below. S
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P
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A
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F
A
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O
U
S
U
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N
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S
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Answers on page 15.
ANSWERS: Page 3: c Turkish; page 4: 1. Paolo was encouraged to sing by his grandfather. 2. The singer was delayed so Paolo performer a couple of songs. 3. Paolo was approached by a man called Brendan Moon. 4. His first album was called “These Streets”. 5. Paolo’s second album was released in 2009; pages 8-9: 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c; page 11: An Ecological House: solar panels, wood, clay bricks; pages 12-13: The Boxing Day Dip: 1. F, 2. T, 3. F, 4. F, 5. T, 6. F; Page. 14: A: 1.electrical; 2. islands; 3. conference; 4. couch-potato; 5. nature; 6. exhibits, 7. computers, 8. bulbs; B. Scottish , talented, popular, expressive, young, famous, musical, big, expressive, huge.; Page 16: 1. turkey, 2. surfing, 3. barbeque, 4. sunshine, 5. picnic, 6. menu, 7. shorts, 8. t-shirt.
Christmas on the beach How do you imagine a typical Christmas? Snow falling outside, while the family all sit down at the table for a lunch of roast Turkey and vegetables? Or how about a little surfing in the sea then a barbeque* on the beach in the sunshine? Welcome to Christmas in Australia! There are no snowmen or carol singing on dark winter nights. The 25th December is the middle of the Australian summer and it’s not unusual to have temperatures of 30 degrees!
So how do the Australians celebrate Christmas? Many Australians like to have their Christmas lunch on the beach and the famous Bondi Beach, in Sydney, attracts thousands of people on Christmas day. It’s quite usual to have a picnic or a barbeque with family and friends and the celebrations are very informal.
* glossario barbeque: a way of coking things on a grill or fire outdoors varied: having many different types
present simple revision, talking about habits
16
And the menu? Because Australia has cultural influences from many different countries, their Christmas menu is very varied*. So you can find everything on the menu, from barbequed meat or fish to cold salads, pasta and rice. One thing which never changes is Santa Claus! But maybe you’ll see him wearing red shorts and a t-shirt rather than his heavy red winter suit!
Australian Anagrams Put the letters in the correct order to make words from the text about Australia 1. UKRYTE _ 2. FINSRGU _ 3. BBQUAREE _ 4. NHSUNEI _ 5. NIPCIC _ 6. NEMU _ 7. STORSH _ 8. TISTHR _
_____ ______ ________ ______ _____ ___ _____ _____
Complemento operativo allegato al volume FLASH ON ENGLISH 1. Non vendibile separatamente. ELI 2011
Australia Today