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A magazine for your English
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YEAR XXXIII • No. 1 - September / October 2020 • Imprimé à Taxe Réduite
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Report
Our climate changes... what about us?
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© Shutterstock
Halloween’s origins in Ireland
This month...
Belfas t Mons ter Mash
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Me and my hobby
Welcome, my tiny friends
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Ecology
The Environment
A floating farm
‘Green’ energy!
Two renewable energy sources are mentioned in the article ... which ones? Link the two compound nouns in the article with the corresponding icons.
_______________________________
_______________________________
A. solar energy
B. wind energy The answers are on page 14.
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Contents
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Report Our climate changes ... what about us?
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Me and my hobby Welcome, my tiny friends
This month … Belfast Monster Mash
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Find out about ... The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Music Inhaler, a band to keep an eye on! Classrooms around the world Weather forecasts
Test How ‘green’ are you?
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31 October Halloween’s origins in Ireland Games Galore
Welcome everyone! It’s been a busy and eventful year. We’re starting another Let’s Start adventure together with an edition dedicated to the environment. In this issue, we discover a floating farm, and make sure you take the quiz to find out how ‘green’ you are! We’re also visiting Northern Ireland – the city of Belfast and the fascinating Giant’s Causeway ... let’s get started! Happy reading!
Samantha Hi! I’m Grammy! This month, we’ll learn about: - Vocabulary related to the weather - - Vocabulary related to the environment - - Use of the infinitive form - - Introduction to the Past Simple - - Use of adjectives
Audio Your subscription includes free MP3 downloads of the audio sections of all the magazines. Visit www.elilanguagemagazines.com
Use of the superlative form Practice of the Present Simple Prepositions Use of ‘will’ for future promises
Teacher’s Notes Subscribed teachers are able to download both the MP3 audio files and the Teacher’s Notes in PDF format.
NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS OR FOR ANY PURPOSES WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION. THE PUBLISHER IS PREPARED TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR ANY COPYRIGHT OF PHOTOGRAPHS WHERE THE SOURCE HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO TRACE. © ELI Italy 2020 - ELI srl, C.P. 6, 62019 Recanati, Tel. (071) 750701, Fax (071) 977851, E-mail: info@elionline.com - Direttore responsabile: Lamberto Pigini. Realizzazione testi: Lynn Bulmer. Autorizzazione Trib. di Macerata N. 278 del 29 luglio 1987. Realizzazione: Tecnostampa, Loreto.
At the port of the city of Rotterdam, Holland, there’s a truly unique farm. It’s a … floating farm! It’s 100% environmentally-friendly, designed to combat pollution and look after the animals there as well as possible. ‘Floating’ cows produce milk, cheese, butter and yogurt for the city. Solar panels and wind turbines produce the energy needed by the farm. The cows eat grass cut in city’s stadiums and parks. Their faeces are collected and transformed into fertilizer. Now, the floating farm in Rotterdam has become a tourist attraction!
Music
Inhaler, a band to keep an eye on!
Not everyone knows this, but the singer Eli
Hewson is the son of Paul Hewson—that is, of Bono Vox. Bono is the lead singer of U2, the Irish band that made music history. But this group has nothing to do with U2. None of the songs have been written or produced by Bono Vox. In fact, Eli’s parents weren’t happy with Eli’s decision to make music. They dreamed of a normal life for Eli: college and study. Then they understood that Eli was serious about a music career, and above all, they realised that the group has talent. Eli has a beautiful voice, and ... he doesn’t want to imitate his father!
Interesting fact! The band is called Inhaler. Do you know why? a [ ] Robert Keating and Ryan McMahon’s parents are doctors. b [ ] Josh and Ryan wanted to study medicine. c [ ] As a child, Eli suffered from asthma. Asthma sufferers regularly use an inhaler, a kind of spray. The answers are on page 14.
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use of the infinitive form – introduction to the Past Simple – use of the superlative form
Inhaler come from Ireland, from Dublin. The band is made up of four twenty-year-old boys: Eli (Elijah) Hewson (vocals), Robert Keating (bass), Ryan McMahon (drums) and Josh Jenkinson (guitar). They met at school, and each of them has a great passion for music. They’ve been playing indie rock music since 2015, and they are already very good.
W eat h er forec a s t s 4
moon
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sun
night
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day
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storm
rainbow
rain
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stars
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snow
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wind
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lightning
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hail
fog
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cloud
weather vocabulary – use of the Present Simple
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rough sea
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calm sea
Classrooms around the world
Hello guys! My name is Adália. I’m Brazilian, and I come from a very big city called Belo Horizonte. Today, in class, we all pretended to be a weat her forecas ter, like on television! My friends love t he sun, but I also really like t he rain! When it rains, I always go out and have a lot of fun!
© Shutterstock
Conjugate the verbs in the brackets using the third person of the Present Simple ... and use the icons to fill in the other gaps. 1. At
__________ John (to watch) __________ the __________ .
2. Today Sue __________ (to put on) her coat as it (to be) __________ very 3. After a a
__________ . __________ there (to be) __________ always
__________ .
4. When there’s
__________ Susan often (to slip over)
__________ . 5. Mike __________ (to see) the __________
and a
__________ shaped like a bear in the sky. 6. When there (to be) __________
__________ , Pete
__________ (not can see) anything. 7.
__________ (to be) __________
__________
that (to fall) __________ from the sky. 8. The
__________ (to hit) __________ a tree.
9. I like it when the __________
(to blow) __________
hard.
The answers are on page 14.
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Report
Our climate changes ... what about us? Greta Thunberg has been interested in environmental and climate change issues since she was a child. On August 20, 2018, at just fifteen, she decided to take action. She prepared a sign and, alone, held a sitin in front of the parliament of Sweden, her country. Since then, Greta has met with political leaders and famous people from all over the world, to ask them to take action against climate change.
Causes and effects
We know that climate change refers to the rising temperatures we are experiencing on planet Earth. The causes of these increasing temperatures are many, such as the gases produced by industries and transport, the pollution of the seas and deforestation.
What are the effects of climate change? • • • • •
The ice melts. The seas rise more and more and ‘eat’ the coastlines. Many areas become arid and turn into deserts. Many animal and plant species become extinct. Floods, hurricanes and violent storms become increasingly frequent ...
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© Shutterstock
weather and forecasting vocabulary – prepositions – the Present Simple
Us and our environment
Match each image to the correct heading! • deforestation • desertification • avalanche • recycling • melting ice • protesting for the • pollution of the seas environment • flooding The answers are on page 14.
1 ____________________
2 ____________________
3 ____________________
4 ____________________
5 ____________________
6 ____________________
7 ____________________
8 ____________________
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This month...
Do you love Halloween, ghosts and monsters?
use of adjectives, use of will for future promises
t s a B el f
r e t s n o M
What can I expect? At the end of October every year, there is a very special event in Belfast, Northern Ireland – welcome to the Belfast Monster Mash. A ‘monster mash’ is a monster party! Let’s find out more.
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What time does it start?
Entertainment kicks off at Titanic Slipways in Belfast from 4pm and finishes at 7pm.
Should I wear a costume?
Of course! Witches, wizards, ghouls and vampires are all invited to come along dressed in their most imaginative costumes. Of course, there will be prizes for the most terrifying outfits!
Beginning at 4pm, the entertainment line-up will feature street shows and performers, fire shows, themed arts and craft workshops, monster fairground rides, and live music on stage. There will also be a range of sweet treats and hot food available too.
© Shutterstock
h s a M
Which adjective is the ‘odd one out’? All of the words below are similar in meaning to ‘scary’ ... all except one? freaky creepy terrifying breathtaking spooky frightening hair-raising spine-chilling
Song
There’s a well-known song called ‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby Pickett. Fill in one of the verses with the following words: mash x2
flash
smash
They did the mash, they did the monster ______________ The monster mash, it was a graveyard ______________ They did the mash, it caught on in a ______________ They did the mash, they did the monster ______________
The answers are on page 14.
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TEST
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How ‘green’ are you?
When you turn off the TV or computer, you also unplug it:
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a [ ] always. b [ ] often. c [ ] if I remember.
a [ ] are produced locally. b [ ] are well priced. c [ ] have attractive packaging.
a [ ] yes. b [ ] no. c [ ] sometimes.
You go to school:
a [ ] on foot or by bicycle. b [ ] by school bus. c [ ] by car.
When you shop at the supermarket, you choose products that:
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When they give you a bag in a shop, you reuse it: a [ ] I don’t take it – I always use mine. b [ ] always. c [ ] maybe.
P ro f i l e s
Answered mostly ‘b’ - You are ‘emerald green’. You love nature and know how to be ‘eco’, but you don’t always do your best ... in short, you are good, but you can improve! Answered mostly ‘a’ - You are very ‘green’. You are very interested in environmental issues, respect nature and know that everyone must play their part. Very good!
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When you brush your teeth, you leave the tap on:
a [ ] a shower. b [ ] a bath or shower; it depends on your mood. c [ ] a bath.
Answered mostly ‘c’ - You are a little ‘green’. You know how to show respect for nature, but you are a little too distracted and sometimes lazy ... push yourself harder; the planet needs you too!
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When you wash, you take:
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Me and my hobby
Hi friends of Let’s Start! My name’s Paolo, and I’m Italian. I live near Todi, in Umbria. My great passion is birdgardening.
Welcome, my tiny friends! Do you know what that is? I’ll explain it to you! In my garden, I build bird houses. I create a perfect habitat for the birds, with plants, water and food, such as fruit and bread. When the birds come to eat, I’m really happy! Sometimes birds choose my houses as a nest for their eggs; they know there are no dangers in my garden! I look at them through binoculars and never disturb them. And ... I keep cats away!
leaves - glasses - dry branches - books stones - scissors - old clothes - flowers plants - car - wood - wire mesh cardboard - phone - painting old cups or bowls - pliers - wallet © Shutterstock
.................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................The answers are on page 14. eleven
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the Present Simple
Read the list of all the things you need to build a bird garden. Find the odd ones out!
31 October
Š Shutterstock
Halloween is one of the most popular celebrations in North America, but did you know that the origin of Halloween was actually in Celtic Ireland? Halloween, as we know it today, began as a celebration called Samhain.
Halloween’s origins in Ireland 12
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Complete this story with the Past Simple of the verbs in brackets: It all started with Samhain
Samhain, which is pronounced ‘sow-in’ ______ (to take) place on the evening of October 31 and was celebrated into the following day. It marked the end of the warmer season and the beginning of the long, cold winter ahead. However, this celebration ________ (not to be) just about the change of seasons. The Irish also ________(to believe) that Samhain was when the spirits could visit earth – both the good spirits and the bad.
Good and bad spirits
People ________ (to think) the good spirits, those of friends and family members, returned to the home to see their loved ones. They honoured the spirits with cooked food and celebrations. The evil spirits ________ (to need) to be avoided. The Celts ________ (to wear) masks and costumes to disguise themselves and keep safe from these evil spirits.
Bonfires
One of the most popular aspects of Samhain was the bonfire. The Irish thought that a big fire ________ (to have) protective and cleansing powers.
Past Simple – regular and irregular verbs
Jack-o-lanterns
Jack-o-lanterns also originated with Samhain. There’s a legend about a man named Jack who cheated on a deal with the devil. When he died, he couldn’t enter heaven or hell. All he had was a lump of coal to light his way, which he placed in a hollowed out turnip to use as a lantern. Today, we use pumpkins!
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GAMES GALORE
Have yet read Let’s Start? Let’s play!
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Eco Quiz Read the sentences and answer true or false.
1 Greta Thunberg does not eat meat and travels only by train. 2 Earth’s temperature has increased by about 1.1 ° C since the early 1900s. 3 The planet’s pollution levels are measured in an observatory located on top of Mount Everest. 4 The levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air are measured with a graph called the Keeling curve. 5 Scientists say that observing the Keeling curve is like “listening” to the planet’s breath. 6 In Antarctica, it can snow so much that you can’t see a few centimetres in front of you.
© Shutterstock
B
Find 20 words S O L A R from this issue E M O O N of Let’s Start in A R E C Y the Wordfinder! F G T U R A R E C O R E I N H M E P I N S N B I B B I R D G
P S C B B A D Q A
A N T O L E I N O N L E I E H A R D
T [ ] [ ]
F [ ] [ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
E L S W R F R M U I A O K W N N I G E S X D N S O V O X B N R S I B O O R O C K W W I L E Z P I E N I N G B
The answers are below.
Answers
Page 2: solar panels-A, wind turbines-B; Page 3: C. Pages 4 & 5: 1 night, watches, stars; 2 puts on, is, cold; 3 storm, is, rainbow; 4 ice, slips over; 5 sees, sun, cloud; 6 is, fog, can’t see; 7 Hail, is, ice , falls; 8 lightning, hits; 9 wind, blows; Pages 6 & 7: 1 desertification, 2 flooding, 3 deforestation, 4 avalanche 5 melting ice, 6 recycling, 7 protesting for the environment, 8 pollution of the seas; Pp 8-9: Which adjective is the ‘odd one out’: breathtaking (this means ‘amazing’) Song: mash, smash, flash, mash; Page 11: Answers: glasses, books, old clothes, car, phone, painting, wallet. Pages 12-13: Halloween’s origins in Ireland: took, wasn’t, believed, thought, needed, wore, had. Page 14: A: 1T, 2T, 3F (it’s measured on top of the volcano, Mauna Loa, in Hawaii), 4T, 5T, 6T; B: wordfinder: solar panels, turbines, rainbow, fog, sun, moon, storm, recycle, sea, farm, wind, snow, Inhaler, eco, green, Bono Vox, ice, indie rock, birdgardening, hail; Page 16: The Giant’s Causeway: What is it?/Where is it?/How was it formed?/How did it get its name?
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Liven up your lessons! With audio materials and Teacher’s notes free download: www.elilanguagemagazines.com English
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Find out about ...
Learn about one of the most incredible rock formations in the world. Match the questions to the paragraphs 1- 4 below:
The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland 1 _________________________
4 _________________________
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 basalt columns. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliffs and disappear under the sea. The tallest pillars are about 12 metres high.
According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. Here’s the story! A Scottish giant challenges an Irish giant to a fight. The Irish giant accepts the challenge and 2 _________________________ builds the causeway across the North The Causeway is located in County Antrim on the north Channel so that the two giants can coast of Northern Ireland, near the town of Bushmills. meet. When the Irish giant realises that Visitors can walk over the basalt columns that are at the his opponent is much bigger than him, edge of the sea, a half-mile walk from the entrance of the site. he disguises himself as a baby ... and when the Scottish giant sees the ‘huge’ 4 _________________________ baby he believes that the Irish giant Around 50 to 60 million years ago, there was intense will be enormous! Terrified that he will volcanic activity in this area, which resulted in a volcanic have to fight someone much bigger eruption. Hot liquid basalt intruded through chalk beds to than him, he runs back to Scotland, form a large lava plateau. When it cooled, it left pillar-like destroying the causeway behind him so structures. that the Irish giant can’t follow! The answers are on page 14.
Let’s Start – n. 4 – 2020 - Poste Italiane S.P.A. - Sped. in abb. post. - D.L. 353/2003 (Conv. in L. 27/02/2004 n. 46) Art. 1, comma 1, DCB Ancona
Tassa Riscossa/Taxe Perçue
• How was it formed? What is it? • How did it get its name? • Where is it?
