Wednesday, May 21, 2025

IELTS essay skills


Exercise 1: Cars and city centers

(Topic: Ban cars from city centers)

Reorder the following sentences to form a well-structured paragraph:

A. Cars produce harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which can damage the environment and people's health.
B. One strong reason to ban cars from city centers is to reduce air pollution.
C. For example, a study in London found that air pollution levels dropped by 30% after restrictions were placed on cars in central areas.
D. Therefore, banning cars can make city centers cleaner and healthier places to live and work.

1 (Topic sentence) _A__

2 (Development sentence) ___

3 (Example giving sentence) ___

4 (Concluding sentence) ___


Exercise 2: Children and mobile phones

(Topic: Children should not use mobile phones at a young age)

Reorder the following sentences to form a well-structured paragraph:

A. For instance, many teachers report that students who are on their phones frequently have more trouble focusing in class and working with classmates.
B. Giving mobile phones to young children can negatively affect their mental development.
C. As a result, allowing children to use phones at a young age could harm their ability to learn and communicate effectively.
D. When children spend too much time on phones, they may have fewer face-to-face interactions and become less socially skilled.

1 (Topic sentence) ___

2 (Development sentence) ___

3 (Example giving sentence) ___

4 (Concluding sentence) ___


 

Exercise 3: Physical education in schools

(Topic: Physical education is as important as academic subjects)

Reorder the following sentences to form a well-structured paragraph:

A. Many children today spend too much time sitting, either at desks or in front of screens, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
B. This shows that making physical education a regular part of the school day can support both physical health and academic success.
C. For example, schools in Finland that include daily exercise sessions report lower rates of childhood obesity and better overall student concentration.
D. Physical education is essential because it helps students stay healthy and active.

 

1 (Topic sentence) ___

2 (Development sentence) ___

3 (Example giving sentence) ___

4 (Concluding sentence) ___




Find some errors

 

Old buildings are fascinating because they told the story of the past. Many of these buildings is made of strong materials like stone and brick, which have help them survive for many year. Some old building was once homes, while others used for important events, like church or castle. When you visited these buildings, you can saw the detail of their architectures, such as tall window, wooden door, or carved decoration. The buildings is often very large, and it take a lot of work to maintain it. People doesn't always realizes how many history they surrounded by. This buildings holding memories from past, and it tells us about the differents period in history. By look at it, we can learning how peoples lived and worked in past.

 

Now look at the italicised words. Can you change them to improve the writing

Old buildings are fascinating because they told the story of the past. Many of these buildings is made of strong materials like stone and brick, which have help them survive for many year. Some old building was once homes, while others used for important events, like church or castle. When you visited these buildings, you can saw the detail of their architectures, such as tall window, wooden door, or carved decoration. The buildings is often very large, and it take a lot of work to maintain it. People doesn't always realizes how many history they surrounded by. This buildings holding memories from past, and it tells us about the differents period in history. By look at it, we can learning how peoples lived and worked in past.

 

Use the gaps to write you corrections

Old buildings are fascinating because they ______ the story of the past. Many of these buildings ___ made of strong materials like stone and brick, which have _____ them survive for many _____. Some old ________ ____ once homes, while others ____ used for important events, like ______ or ______. When you _______ these buildings, you can _____ the _______ of their ___________, such as tall ________, wooden _______, or carved _________. _______ buildings ___ often very large, and it _____ a lot of work to maintain _____. People _______ always ______ how ______ history they _____ surrounded by. _____ buildings _______ memories from ___ past, and ____ ______ us about the ________ _______ in history. By ______ at _____, we can ______ how ______ lived and worked in ____ past.



You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by news ones.

How important is it to maintain old buildings?

Should history stand in the way of progress?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Most nations around the world have at least some, or possibly many, old buildings. There are temples, churches and houses in their cities, villages and surrounding areas. These buildings have historical significance. It is very important to maintain these. It does not mean progress should stop.

Preserving certain old buildings is important for several reasons. These structures provide an insight into the history of our countries. They show us how people many centuries ago lived their lives. Without them, we could only learn by books. It would undoubtedly be sad if this were the only way to see them. Many of these buildings are very beautiful. Take the many religious buildings. There are churches and temples we see around the world. Many of these buildings provide important income to a country. Many tourists visit them in great numbers.

This certainly does not mean that modernization should be discouraged. I believe old buildings can be protected in tandem with progress. In many circumstances we see old historic buildings being renovated. Their original character is maintained. They are used for modern purposes. In no way does history hinder progress. It is the opposite. We study and learn about our history. We understand more about the world we live in. This helps us to build a better future.

I believe it is very important to protect and preserve old buildings. We can learn about our history. Others from other countries can learn about their history. Such knowledge can help us to understand how to modernise our countries in the best way.



Most nations around the world have at least some, or possibly many, old buildings ____ ___ temples, churches and houses in their cities, villages and surrounding areas ____ have historical significance. __ ___ _______, it is very important to maintain these, ____ this does not mean progress should stop.

Preserving certain old buildings is important for several reasons. ____, these structures provide an insight into the history of our countries, show___ us how people many centuries ago lived their lives. Without them, we could only learn by books, and it would undoubtedly be sad if this were the only way to see them. Many of these buildings are ____ very beautiful. Take ___ ______ the many religious buildings ___ __ churches and temples ____ we see around the world. ___ ____ this, ___ on a more practical level, many of these buildings provide important income to a country ___ many tourists visit them in great numbers.

_____, this certainly does not mean that modernization should be discouraged. I believe ___ old buildings can be protected in tandem with progress. ___ _____, in many circumstances we see old historic buildings being renovated _____ maintaining their original character, ____ being used for modern purposes. ___, in no way does history hinder progress, ___ ___ ____ it is the opposite. ___ studying and learning about our history, we understand more about the world we live in, ___ this helps us to build a better future.

___ _______, I believe ___ it is very important to protect and preserve old buildings ___ we can learn about our history ___ can others from other countries. Such knowledge can ____ help us to understand how to modernise our countries in the best way.


Most nations around the world have at least some, or possibly many, old buildings such as temples, churches and houses in their cities, villages and surrounding areas which have historical significance. In my opinion, it is very important to maintain these, but this does not mean progress should stop.

Preserving certain old buildings is important for several reasons. Firstly, these structures provide an insight into the history of our countries, showing us how people many centuries ago lived their lives. Without them, we could only learn by books, and it would undoubtedly be sad if this were the only way to see them. Many of these buildings are also very beautiful. Take for example the many religious buildings such as churches and temples that we see around the world. Not only this, but on a more practical level, many of these buildings provide important income to a country as many tourists visit them in great numbers.

However, this certainly does not mean that modernization should be discouraged. I believe that old buildings can be protected in tandem with progress. For example, in many circumstances we see old historic buildings being renovated whilst maintaining their original character, and being used for modern purposes. Also, in no way does history hinder progress, and in fact it is the opposite. By studying and learning about our history, we understand more about the world we live in, and this helps us to build a better future.

To conclude, I believe that it is very important to protect and preserve old buildings as we can learn about our history as can others from other countries. Such knowledge can also help us to understand how to modernise our countries in the best way.

200 Countries 200 Years


countries_health_wealth_2016_v15
1 .What is this graph showing basically?
2. What do the two axes represent?
3. What does the size of the country bubble show?
4. What does the colour of the bubble show?
5. Which countries are doing better? Which a re doing worse?
6. True or false? - the graph shows that in general the higher the income of the population is, the better its health is.

Hans Rosling's famous lectures combine enormous quantities of public data with a sport's commentator's style to reveal the story of the world's past, present and future development. Now he explores stats in a way he has never done before - using augmented reality animation. In this spectacular section of 'The Joy of Stats' he tells the story of the world in 200 countries over 200 years using 120,000 numbers - in just four minutes. Plotting life expectancy against income for every country since 1810, Hans shows how the world we live in is radically different from the world most of us imagine.

Watch:

200 Countries 200 Years


Language Focus


True or false?

1. In 1810, the average life expectancy in the UK was below 40 years old.

2. The Industrial Revolution caused life expectancy to fall

3. The Great Depression caused life expectancy to drop dramatically

4. After World War One former colonies gained independence.

5. When former colonies gained independence their life expectancy rose.

6. Global life expectancy has been flat since World War Two.

7. In the future life expectancy is expected to fall. 


200 Countries 200 years                                                And     but     here     now 

Visualization is right at the heart of my own work too. I teach Global Health, and I know to have / having the data is not enough. I have to show / tell  it in ways people both enjoy and understand. ____ I'm going to try something I've never done again / before, animating the data in real space, with a bit of technical assistance from the crew.

So _____ we go, first an axis for health, life expectancy from / of 25 years to 75 years. And down here an axis for wealth, income per person 400, 4,000, and $40,000. So down here is poor and sick, and up _____ is rich and healthy.

_____ I'm going to show you the world 200 years ago / before, in 1810.

____ come all the countries Europe brown, Asia red, Middle East green, Africa South of the Sahara blue, and the Americas yellow. ____ the size of the country bubble means / shows the size of the population.

And in 1810 it was pretty crowded down there, wasn't / was  it? All countries were sick and poor, life expectancy was below 40 in all countries. ____ only the UK and the Netherlands were slightly better off, _____ not much / very.

____ ____, I start the world.

The Industrial Revolution makes countries in Europe and elsewhere / others  move away from the rest. _____ the colonized countries in Asia and Africa, they are stuck down there.

_____ eventually / later the Western countries get healthier and healthier.

____ ____ we slow down, to show the impact of the First World War, and the Spanish flu epidemic, what / that’s a catastrophe.

___  ____ I speed up through the 1920s and the 1930s, and in spite of / because of the Great Depression, western countries forge on towards greater wealth and health. Japan and some others try to follow, ____ most countries stay / keep down _____.

____, after the tragedies of the Second World War, we stop a bit to look at the world in 1948.

1948 was a great year, the war was over, Sweden topped the medal table at the Winter Olympics, and I was born. ____ the differences between / within the countries of the world were wider than ever. United States was in the front, Japan was catching up, Brazil was way backward / behind, Iran was getting a little richer from oil, but still / also had short lives. And the Asian giants, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, they were still poor and sick down _____.

_____ look what is about to happen, here / there we go again.

In my lifetime former colonies gained independence and then finally they started to get healthier and healthier and healthier. ____ in the 1970s then countries in Asia and Latin America started to catch up with the Western countries. They became the developing / emerging economies, some in Africa follows, some Africans were stuck in civil war, and others hit by HIV.

____ ____, we can see the world today in the most up-to-date statistics.

Most people today live in the middle, ____ there's a huge difference at the same time between the best-off countries and the worst-off countries. ____ there are huge inequalities within / between countries. These bubbles show country averages, ____ I can split them. Take / For example China, I can split it into provinces, there goes Shanghai. It has the same wealth and health as Italy today. And there is the poor inland province Guizhou, it is like Pakistan, ____ if I split it further / more, the rural parts are like Ghana in Africa.

____ yet despite / due to the enormous disparities today, we have seen 200 years of remarkable progress, that huge historical gap between the west and the rest is ____ closed / closing. We have become an entirely new converged / converging world, ____ I see a clear / small trend into the future with aid, trade, green technology, and peace. It's fully possible / probable that everyone can make it to the healthy wealthy corner.

Well what you've just seen in the last few minutes is a story of 200 countries showing / shown over 200 years and beyond / after. It involved plotting 120,000 numbers, pretty great / neat uh?


The Five Paragraph Essay and the Quotation



It's cold dark and rainy. But unfortunately your argument has to be: "it's a nice day".

 

Think of three really good justifications for this statement.

 

1. First of all,

2. Also,

3. And finally,

 

Which is your best justification?

 

Think of three follow up points to make on this one justification.

 

1. In fact,

2. What’s more,

3. And when you think about it,



According to Tim Wilson, it's all about Paragraph 4.

Video:

How to write an essay

The 5 Paragraph Essay:

1. What do you need to do in paragraphs 2 and 3?
2. What does Tim mean when he says there's "a certain leeway" in these paragraphs?
3. What do you do with your best ideas? Why?
4. What do you add to paragraph for to give it a "crunch"?
5. What things might paragraph 4 contain?
6. Which paragraphs in an essay are usually shorter?
7. What does Tim mean when he says paragraph 5 is "exactly what it says on the bottle"?
8. what should you not do in paragraph 5?
9. In what way is an argumentative essay conducted like a friendly argument between friends?



Advantages and disadvantages essay practice game





Ordering ideas



Compare



In fact, dogs are a universal symbol of loyalty - and many cultures understand immediately what is meant by "man's best friend". I like dogs. I could go on and on, but I don't need to, as most people naturally understand when it comes to these friendly, faithful beings. But they are a creature to admire for other reasons - certain qualities they share with homo sapiens. They're such loyal and naturally faithful friends. Perhaps most importantly, dogs keep us grounded, keep us honest - even if we don't realise it. Like ourselves, they are natural explorers of the world – “get a dog and discover your own neighbourhood!"

 



 

I like dogs. They're such loyal and naturally faithful friends.  In fact, dogs are a universal symbol of loyalty - and many cultures understand immediately what is meant by "man's best friend". But they are a creature to admire for other reasons - certain qualities they share with homo sapiens. Like ourselves, they are natural explorers of the world – “get a dog and discover your own neighbourhood!". Perhaps most importantly, dogs keep us grounded, keep us honest - even if we don't realise it. I could go on and on, but I don't need to, as most people naturally understand when it comes to these friendly, faithful beings.  


A)"In fact, dogs are a universal symbol of loyalty - and many cultures understand immediately what is meant by "man's best friend". 

B)"I like dogs".

C) I could go on and on, but I don't need to, as most people naturally understand when it comes to these friendly, trustable beings. 

D) "But they are a creature to admire for other reasons - certain qualities they share with homo sapiens."

E)"They're such loyal and naturally faithful friends".

F) Perhaps most importantly, dogs keep us grounded, keep us honest - even if we don't realise it.

G) "Like ourselves, they are natural explorers of the world - get a dog and discover your own neighbourhood!"

 


1. A topic sentence making a general statement. 

2. A simple sentence developing this general idea.

3. A sentence with a further reflection or a bit more detail about it. 

4. A sentence giving another example of the general idea in the topic sentence. 

5. A sentence to enlarge on that example. 

6. A sentence giving the strongest example of the idea expressed in the topic sentence. 

8. A concluding sentence that ties all these ideas together simply.

 

 

 Write an essay quickly

Quickly describe some common health and lifestyle issues in our modern world.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quickly write down some reasons why people get into unhealthy habits these days.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quickly write down some deeper reasons why people today become unhealthy and have unhealthy habits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quickly write down some obvious things we can do to solve these problems. Have you got maybe one really good idea?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Quickly summarise the main things you just wrote.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations - you just wrote an essay.

 

 

 “The use of electronic media has a negative effect on personal relationships between people.”

To what extent do you agree?

 

Intro

These days…. 

more and more….  

rather than face-to-face… 

has affected our relationships….

But…negative?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Paragraph 2

One obvious positive effect…

Enables friends and family to…

Different counties or cities

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Paragraph 3

Another positive effect…

Make new friends

Reconnect with old friends

Keep up-to-date

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Paragraph 4

On the other hand…

Some negative effects

Too much communication

Too much information

Misunderstanding

Misinformation

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Conclusion

Electronic media

Some problems

But in general

More positive

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 



The Quotation:

1. Why does it require 3 sentences to use a quotation? What do the three sentences consist of?
2. Explain Tim's analogy between using a quotation and setting "a jewel in a ring"?
3. What are some alternatives to using a quotation? Why might these be useful?

More on using quotations here


    What is the purpose of the following uses of quotation?

    Historian John Doe has argued that in 1941 “almost all Americans assumed the war would end quickly” (Doe 223). Yet during the first six months of U.S. involvement, the wives and mothers of soldiers often noted in their diaries their fear that the war would drag on for years.


    Harriet Jacobs, a former slave from North Carolina, published an autobiographical slave narrative in 1861. She exposed the hardships of both male and female slaves but ultimately concluded that “slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible for women.”

    President Calvin Coolidge’s tendency to fall asleep became legendary. As H. L. Mencken commented in the American Mercury in 1933, “Nero fiddled, but Coolidge only snored.”

1. Provide context for each quotation.

Do not rely on quotations to tell your story for you. It is your responsibility to provide your reader with context for the quotation. The context should set the basic scene for when, possibly where, and under what circumstances the quotation was spoken or written. So, in providing context for our above example, you might write:
    When Franklin Roosevelt gave his inaugural speech on March 4, 1933, he addressed a nation weakened and demoralized by economic depression.

2. Attribute each quotation to its source.

Tell your reader who is speaking. Here is a good test: try reading your text aloud. Could your reader determine without looking at your paper where your quotations begin? If not, you need to attribute the quote more noticeably.
Avoid getting into the “he/she said” attribution rut! There are many other ways to attribute quotes besides this construction. Here are a few alternative verbs, usually followed by “that”:
addremarkexclaim
announcereplystate
commentrespondestimate
writepoint outpredict
arguesuggestpropose
declarecriticizeproclaim
notecomplainopine
observethinknote
Different reporting verbs are preferred by different disciplines, so pay special attention to these in your disciplinary reading. If you’re unfamiliar with the meanings of any of these words or others you find in your reading, consult a dictionary before using them.

3. Explain the significance of the quotation.

Once you’ve inserted your quotation, along with its context and attribution, don’t stop! Your reader still needs your assessment of why the quotation holds significance for your paper. Using our Roosevelt example, if you were writing a paper on the first one-hundred days of FDR’s administration, you might follow the quotation by linking it to that topic:
    With that message of hope and confidence, the new president set the stage for his next one-hundred days in office and helped restore the faith of the American people in their government.

4. Provide a citation for the quotation.

All quotations, just like all paraphrases, require a formal citation. For more details about particular citation formats, see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial. In general, you should remember one rule of thumb: Place the parenthetical reference or footnote/endnote number after—not within—the closed quotation mark.
Roosevelt declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (Roosevelt, Public Papers, 11).
Roosevelt declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”1

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The Last Supper




Ask your partner

1.Which food have you just eaten?
2. What culture/s does it connect to?
3. Did it come in a wrapper?
4. Are you hungry right now?
5. What will you eat for lunch today?








What do you like to have on toast?



















Image result for boiled












Image result for over easy



 


Ask your partner

1. How many eggs do you eat per week?
2. What kind of sauces go best with eggs?
3. What are eggs called in your first language?
4. Which of your favourite foods include eggs in the ingredients?
5. Could you ever give eggs up completely?















Ask your partner

1. Do you have access to a kitchen at the moment? 
2. How much of your day do you usually spend in the kitchen?
3. Do you enjoy doing the dishes? What makes it more fun?
4. Have you ever smashed a plate of a glass on purpose? Why?
5. Which appliance in the kitchen is the most important?

the fridge
the stove and oven
the dishwashing machine, 
the hot water jug.
the toaster
the microwave
the blender

























10 Kitchen idioms


1. Everything but...
2. Hey! ...?
3. That's the way
4. my head is on
5. One big
6. I have a memory
7. don't put all your ... in one ...
8. too many cooks
9. I have too / so many things
10 I have to put that idea on the

like a sieve
kitchen sink
spoil the soup
chopping block
eggs (basket)
the kitchen sink
back burner
what's cookin'
cookie crumble
on the boil
melting pot















































Where does this food come from?







Image result for Thai food







Image result for korean food






























Image result for ethiopian food



Image result for moroccan food


Image result for japanese food



Favourite sauces, dressings, and toppings

vinegar. soy sauce, mustard. maple syrup, mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, jalapeno sauce, salsa verde, chipotle, hollandaise, teriyaki, wasabi mayo, aioli. sriracha, chili sauce, Thai sweet chili, olive dressing, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, balsamic vinegar, cheese sauce (white sauce), custard, gravy...   


What do you like to put on....

lettuce
vanilla ice cream
crackers
sausages
steak
salmon
french fries
pancakes
asparagus






Arrange a dinner party together. It's the last meal of your lives.





Fertile Ground - New technology in China turns desert into land rich with crops


Image result for china experiment with land fertility


China has reportedly developed a technology that is able to transform desert lands into arable soil that could grow crops and natural vegetation. 

Before watching:

What do these words mean?


crop
method
region
oasis
substance
retain
soil
transform
fertile






Now, look at these synonyms of the words above. Can you recall the word they are a synonym of?


plant
practice
area
garden
material
keep
earth
change
fruitful








Now, let's look at the in pairs - What is the difference in meaning?

crop    /     plant
method     /     practice
region      /      area
oasis       /     garden
substance      /      material
retain       /       keep
soil     /      earth
change     /    transform
fertile   /   fruitful






Watch:

Fertile Ground

Listen questions:

True, False, Doesn't Say?

1. The area is very cold.
2. The desert is an ideal place to support vegetation.
3. The scientists planted all the crops that are growing in the area.
4. The transformation of the land has happened relatively quickly.
5. The researchers have found something inside plants that they put into the sand.
6. The method of turning sand into soil the researchers have discovered is cheaper than other methods.
7. The experiment has been copied in other countries.


Further questions (more challenging). Listen again.

1. What "logic" are the researchers "turning on its head"?
2. What kinds of crops can be grown in these areas?
3. How long does it take for crops to get established?
4. Where exactly did researchers discover the magic "paste"?
5. What exactly do they do with it?
6. What exactly can it do?
7. What other techniques of creating fertile land are mentioned?
8. What are the long-term aims of the researchers?
9. What else, besides food crops, can be planted using this method?