UNIT 7: ANIMAL RIGHTS

UNIT 7: STORMY WEATHER

GLOBAL WARMING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs&feature=related


This is the transcript for the Global Warming 101 video. Listen and complete the blanks.

For 205 million years the Earth’s climate has fluctuated cycling from ice ages to warmer periods. But in the last century the planet’s temperature has risen unusually fast- about __________ degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists believe it’s human activity that’s driving the temperatures up; a process known as GLOBAL WARMING.

Ever since the industrial revolution began, factories, power plants, and eventually cars, have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal releasing a huge amount of carbon dioxide and other gases into the _______________.
These greenhouse gases trap the heat near the earth through a naturally occurring process called `_______________________´.
The greenhouse effect begins with the sun and the energy it radiates to the Earth.
The Earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this energy, while the rest _________________ back into space.
Naturally occurring gases in the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, warming the earth.

Scientists now believe that the greenhouse effect is being intensified by the extra greenhouse gases that humans have released.

Evidence for global warming includes a recent string of very _______________.
Scientists report that 1998 was the warmest year in measured history, with 2005 coming in second.
Meanwhile, readings taken from ice cores show that the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane have hit their highest levels in the past 420.000 years.

Arctic sea ice is also shrinking. According to NASA studies, the extent of Arctic sea ice has declined about 10% in the _____________________.
As long as industrialized nations consume energy and developing countries increase their fossil fuel consumption, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will continue to rise.

Researchers predict that temperatures will increase about 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit by ___________________.
What is less certain is what _______________________ mean for the planet.
Some climate models predict subtle changes. Others forecast rising sea levels which could flood coastal areas around the world.
Weather patterns could change, making hurricanes more frequent.
_________________________ could become more common in warm areas and species unable to adapt to the changing conditions would face extinction.
Although much remains to be learned about global warming many organizations advocate cutting greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impact of global warming.
Consumers can help. By saving energy around the house, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and driving fewer miles in the car each week. These simple changes may help keep the Earth cooler in the future.

UNIT 7: BULLFIGHTINGS

LISTENING PRACTICE

UNIT 6: UNUSUAL ACCOMMODATION

ANSWER KEY

1 Under the sea

         The first underwater hotel to be built in Dubai at a depth of 10 metres.

2 Swedish mine suite

         This lies at 155 metres underground, with showers, toilets etc above ground. The hotel is described as damp, dark and chilly.

3 Treetop hotel

         Located just outside Barcelona, it doesn't have electricity or running water, although these are available at the nearby Vileta.

4 Ice hotel

         This offers temperatures of -5to -8 degrees. Guests sleep on ice, in a sleeping bag with reindeer skins underneath.

5 Belgian B&B

         Offers ten different rooms, each related to a fairy tale. The hotel is described as quaint and weirdly extravagant

6 Coastal hotel

         This is an ex sea fortress, with 8 suites and pool and sauna on the roof. Guests are advised to be careful, since the place is said to be haunted!

7 Karostas Cietums

         Located in Latvia , this is an old military prison, where guests will be treated like prisoners, sleeping in a prison bunk. Before using the hotel, guests sign a contract agreeing to treatment as detainees. The ultimate masochistic experience!

8 Sleepboxes

         These represent cheap and basic accommodation, and are already available in several places, including Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The boxes have no windows, so guests may feel a touch calustrophobic. But you don't have to stay overnight, as you can also rent the place for just a few hours.

9 City Lodge

         Located in the city of Berlin, it's the hotel equivalent of a theme park, although not for the faint-hearted. I mean, how would you like to sleep in a Nosferatus coffin?!!

10 Back to Nature hotel

        Here you can sleep with the sound of a waterfall above your room. Restaurant and golf track available at a height of 40 feet. The only real cost is getting to the hotel, as it lies in the middle of a nature reserve in Chile.

UNIT 7: THE WEATHER

Check how much weather vocabulary you know or you remember by clicking on the image.
If you dare, you can try the difficult dictation exercises and get more practice.

UNIT 6: TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE

Practise the structure clicking on the car

UNIT 6: MODIFIERS

UNIT 6 :ACCOMMODATION

Click on the picture to revise what we did in class

UNIT 5: HOME REMEDIES

UNIT 5: PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE vs PROGRESSIVE

UNIT 5: COMPETITIVE SPORTS

Washington, Jan 15 (EFE).- Retired U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong has admitted in an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Watch and listen to what he says.
Why do you think he did that for seven years after overcoming a cancer?

UNIT 5: HOW ARE YOU? WHAT'S UP?

Learn the difference between How are you? and What's up? with this simple video-lesson

UNIT 5: SHOULD HAVE, SHOULDN'T HAVE...

UNIT 5: REAL MADRID VS BARCA

You will listen to a group of reporters analysing the football match between Real Madrid and Barça, that took place on 27th April in Spain.
 Check how much you understand

UNIT 4: The economy

UNIT 3: Indirect Questions

UNIT 3: HANDLING COMPLAINTS

In the video below, business growth expert Adrian Swinscoe offers some practical advice for producing delight from dissatisfaction when clients complain.

UNIT 3: Mr Trebus' eviction

Write a comment to add to the blog. It could be your opinion of Mr Trebus'  behaviour, an example of Trebus-like behaviour or any other comment
Watch the video, then check who said what:

1 the scaffolders have arrived

2 they've declared the place a public health hazard

3 the council have finally moved in, but Mr Trebus hasn't come out

4 We've got a warrant to enter and clear

5 Get out of my property at once!

6 Mike thought he'd seen it all

7 Mike can only marvel at his determination

8 The police are little more than a minor irritation

9 I'm not coming down

10 That's my business, it's not yours!

11 He's basically got no water supply

12 Everyone's patience is wearing thin

13 If you prevent him from doing so, you'll be arrested.

14 Mr Trebus will spend a night in the cells.

To discuss:

a) Who are all the people involved with the old man?

b) What would you have done if you'd been one of the neighbours?

Unit 2:Learning about Spanish Festivals

Click on the icon if you want to know the way Spanish people and foreigners enjoy themselves in Buñol.
Have you ever been there or in another festival of interest?
If so, you are welcome to tell us by leaving a comment.

Unit 2: FUTURE TENSES

If you have problems understanding the use of future tenses, click on the future icon.