HIGHLAND GAMES

FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER

Highland games are held in Scotland in summer- it's a sporting tradition. Events incude throwing heavy metal objects and ever tree trunks, but there are also races, Scottish Higland dancing competitions and the "tug-of-war". You need to be fit and very strong to win!!

NATIONAL HAMBURGER MONTH

Americans celebrate their favourite sandwich for an entire month. On verage, every single person in the USA eats three burgers a week, that's nearly 50 billion hamburgers every year. That's a lot of burgers!!

PHOTO PROJECT

This picture shows a woman holding a chimpanzee's hand in a forest. The woman is waring a white T-shirt and shorts. She also wears a pair of flip-flops. She has blonde hair and it seems she is on her four tees. In the left part, there's a baby chimpanzee. The chimpanzee might be 6 months old and he's black with a white face and ears. It looks cute and sweet. In the background, you can see a path that goes inside the jungle and some trees. I think it might be some African jungle, maybe it's Tanzania. I think it's a happy and peaceful photo. 

I have chosen this photo because of the relationship between the woman and the chimpanzee. The woman in the photo is Jane Goodall. Jane is a biologist and zoologist. She has always been interested in animal behaviour and she has done plenty of investigations in Africa. She has always protected the chimpanzees from the hunters and has promoted the ecological responsibility. 

This photo represents the result of a hard working experience. After being a year or more with the chimpanzees, they haven't just finally accepted Jane's presence or aren't afraid of her; they trust her. The relationship between them is incredible. They trust each other without understanding one another. When they're holding her hands, they prove that they don't mind being different. It's amazing how a human can do such amazing things for the humanity and for the environment. It represents that, despite all the damage that some humans do, there are some people that still love our planet and fight for protecting it. 

link to the audio

IS IT WORTH IT GOING TO THE CINEMA?

Entertainment apps are a very popular way to watch TV series or films nowadays. There are plenty of them: Netflix, Wuaki TV, movistar +,... With all these ways, often cheaper, for watching whatever we want, is it really worth it going to the cinema?

Firstly, I prefer seeing series or films online. I think that's a cheaper way of entertainment and that is more comfortable than going to the cinema. You can just chill out, open the app and enjoy a relaxing time seated on your sofa, with or without popcorns. In addition, you don't have to move and it's a lot faster: no queues, no waiting for the film to start, no ads... Another advantage is that you can also watch series! In wich cinema can you see any series' season? 

On the other hand, watching films at cinema is funnier than watching them at home. The screen is bigger and the resolution is better. Also, if the internet connection isn't working, there's no problem! You can watch it anyway! Another advantage of watching films at the cinemas is that you can buy popcorn! They're crunchy and delicious. 

To sum up, I think that it's cheaper and easier to watch TV series or films on entertainment apps but that oce or twice a moth, you can perfectly go to the cinema and you'll have an amazing, funny and out of routine experience. 

A SURPRISE

Last year I foud out that Adele was about to do a concert in Barcelona. I'm a big fan of her and I love all her songs. My mother wanted to see her too and we decideed to pick up two tickets. 

The day taht the tickets went on sale my father had to buy them before they had run out. At night, I asked him if he could buy them and he said that he was so sorry but that he couldn't. I was really sad. 

On my birthday, two months later, I received a pink envelope with two tickets in. They were Adele's ones! I was so happy and I enjoyed the concert so much! It was the best birthday ever! 

LAST WEEKEND

Hello everyone! Last weekend I woke up at 7.30. I ate breakfast and then I went to the pool (training) from 8.30 to 11.0. After that, I went back home and I ate a second breakfast. Aproximately half an hour later, me and my dad drove to Barcelona and bought some stuff there. I spent the rest of the day studying. On Sunday, I studied during the morning. In the afternoon, we went to the cinema to watch the new film "La la land". I think it was amazing! 

A LETTER TO MY AUNTIE

Hi auntie, 

How are you? I hope you're well. I'm writing to tell you about my new friend. 

She's from New York and her name is Isabelle. She's 23. She's also tall and skinny. She has black and curly hair and black eyes too. She loves reading books and listening to music. Although she doesn't have any pets, she'd love to have one. Isabelle plays volleyball and karate. She's kind and friendly. I think you would like her if you two meet. 

Lots of love, 

Nina

A LETTER TO A FRIEND

Dear Simon, 

I loved your last letter a lot! It was great to hear from you. Well, answering to your question, my favourite day of the week is definitely Sunday. 

One reason I love it it's because I feel like Sundays are the only days when you can do nothing and don't feel guilty about it. You can just chill and relax. Eat with your family, meet friends, watch some films.... You know, that kind of stuff.

Another reason I like them the most it's because on Sundays I don't have to swim. As you know, I swim every single day except Sundays. I love swimming, but it's fantastic to have a relaxing day. 

Tell me about how are you and if we can meet someday! It's been a long time since the last meeting! 

See you soon, 

Nina

HEALTHY DIET!

WEEK 1: I've just started a vegan diet. I've spent the summer thinking bout it and I finally decided to do it. I've also suggested it to my sister and, although she first burst out laughing, she has finally accepted and we're going to do it together! I'm excited and terrified at the same time!

WEEK 2: We've survived our first week! - It was cool but also difficult. I've missed yogurt and chocolate a lot! Luckily we've been supporting each other all the time. I don't know what I'd have done without her. 

WEEK 3: Today's the day after a month of diet. I feel more fit and I know I'm not hurting animals or damaging the environment. I feel loads better and It has made me think about being a vegan definetely!

ASKING AND GIVING ADVICE

• Hi April. How are you?

• Fine, thanks. And you?

• Good. I would like to ask you some questions about my year off. Could you please give me your opinion? 

• Of course! What do you want to know?

• Well, I’m not sure about what place I would like to go. Where do you think that I should go?

• Umm…. Let me think…If I were you I would go to USA because there are a lot of amazing things to visit there, you would learn a lot and there are all kinds of jobs. 

• Yes, that’s the other question. Would you suggest me any type of work to look for?

• Well, you could do nothing! That’s the best to do during your year off. 

• Okay, I’ll think about it! And last but not least, what websites should I look for borrowing an apartment?

• Oh! I know that one! Last year I looked at some websites and I’m going to text you the address when I got home. You ought to take a look at them!

• Thank you so much! 

• Your welcome! See you!

• Bye!

MY TRIP TO ITALY

Hi everyone! Last week I went to Italy with my classmates and today I’m going to explain you what my trip was like. First of all, I’m going to explian what we did everyday and then, what I liked the most. 

On the first day, we all met at 5 a.m. at the school. We left Barcelona and we took a plane to Milan. When we arrived in Milan, we took a bus to Sirmione and we ate pizza there. We visited the town,and then we went to Verona. When we arrived there, we walked around the city and ate in a small restaurant. We slept in a hotel called Albergo Arena. 

The next day, we went to Venice by train. We visited the whole city and saw how an artist transformed a piece of glass into a glass horse. It was amazing. After lunch, we took a Vaporetto to the station and then we went back to Verona. We ate pasta for dinner and slept in the same hotel. 

On the third day, we took a train to Firenze. We arrived there at lunch time. In the afternoon, we visited  the city and the Duomo. We slept in a hotel called Hotel Maxims, which was on the main street. 

Next day, we visited the Uffizi Gallery and della Academia museum. We saw the David. It was amazing and I really loved it. We also climbed up the Santa Maria del Fiore’s Cupola. It was hard, but also an incredible experience. We had lasagna for dinner and we played the swipe game around the streets. We had a lot of fun. 

On the Last day, we visited a small city called Lucca and spent the afternoon at Pisa. We arrived at Banyoles at 3 a.m. 

What I liked the most about Italy was Firenze. I loved the city and the ambience. I also loved the food. The pizza and the ice-creams were amazing! 

I hope you can enjoy someday a trip like I did because I had the time of my life!

Love, 

Nina. 

A FORMAL LETTER

4. Write a formal email to a newspaper responding to one of the newspaper headlines below. Say if you agree or disagree with the headline and explain why. Use the model text and the writing guide to help you. 

Paragraph 1: State why you are writing and introduce your objective

Paragraph 2: Explain your first reason. 

Paragraph 3: Provide more evidence that supports your point of view. 

Paragraph 4: Conclude by presenting a personal experience that helps support your opinion. 

Dear Editor, 

I’m writing in response to an article in today’s issue of your newspaper which claimed that a warmer climate was a good news. I couldn’t disagree more with the article and I would like to point out why a warmer climate is not a good news. 

Firstly, I’d like to point out that, although a warmer climate is funnier and more enjoyable than a colder one, it’s also more dangerous. In the past years, the whole world climate has become warmer and it has caused a lot of destruction at the poles. It destroys the polar bear habitats and it thaws the ice. This produces an increase of the ocean water and sinks the coastal villages. 

Secondly, I think that the climate is not a thing to make fun of. It’s a thing to worry about. It can take plenty of human and animal lives and sweep a lot of villages. 

So, instead of making jokes, we should do something and change that catastrophe. 

Kind regards, 

Nina 

BRITISH COUNCIL

Your school is taking part in a European Project and next month you are going to receive a student from Sweden in your house. Write an e-mail giving her some information about you (name, age, likes, dislikes…) and your school (name of the school, location, teachers, activities, your favourite subjects…). 

Hi Alec, 

My name is Nina and I’m 15 years old. I live in a small city near Barcelona, Banyoles. I like music: Actually, I play the violin. I also love swimming and singing. In my free time I either read books or watch TV series on Netflix. My school is Casa Nostra School. It takes me about 10 minutes to go there by bike because it’s on the other side of the lake. I like science subjects like maths or biology but I also enjoy english and history. 

See you soon. Love

Nina

You friend Clary went on holiday to an exotic place last year. He showed you the pictures and told you what he did there. Write a paragraph and explain where he went, the people he went with, the weather, what he did there, what he liked, what he didn’t like, etc. 

Last year, my friend Clary went on an international trip with her family during their holidays. She visited Dubai, Peru and Hawaii. During her trip, she had an amazing weather. She told me that it had only rained once. Her family and her visited their cousins and the cities where they live. 

She told me that what she’d enjoyed the most was a diving trip she did in Hawaii. Although she said that she enjoyed walking with camels, she didn’t like it at all because it was exhausting and the weather was hot. 

FAVOURITE RELATIVE

My sister and I have 8 more cousins. We don’t see them very often but when we do, we’re always laughing. I think that we’re a very close family. It’s difficult for me to choose a favourite relative but, If I had to, I’d say It’s my little cousin Nil. 

Nil is so charming and cute. He’s only 4 years old and he already knows how to use snapchat! Nil always makes me laugh and we have such great times together. 

Every time we meed we take funny photos and videos to send to our grandparents. They love it and we enjoy it very much. We’ve been doing it for 3 years and now it has became a tradition. Although I choose him, I’m really proud of all the other members of the family. I love them a lot!

A DISCUSSION ESSAY

THE USE OF TRADITIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY

It is clear that the society needs to use energy to cook, to produce products or to work. Not only to make machines work, but to eat or grow up. nevertheless, the energy that we use in nonrenewable, and it can't be replenished or grown as renewable energy resources or biofuels can. 

One of the arguments for keeping this energy sources is that it is readily combustible so it can be used without any refining. We use them in gasoline, detergent, plastic, jet and diesel fuel, natural gas and other consumer products. 

On the other hand, these types of energy contaminate a lot and tey are limited in supply. The extraction of energy requires its own set of resources, such as land, energy and water. For example, the extraction of oil, natural gas and coal as known environmental risks that include air pollution and carbon emissions. 

All in all, I think that traditional sources of energy should be replaced for te new ones because they are nenewable and they don't pollute the environment. However, they are expensive and less productive. 

A FORMAL REQUEST

Dear Sir or Madam, 

I am writing to complain about the last Abraham Mateo's concert which was in Barcelona last 2nd of October. The tickets that I bought claim that it would be a little concert with only a thousand of people and that it would be in a clean stadium at 20 p.m. Unfortunately, this description is very wrong. 

In the first place, nobody could get into the stadium because there were not enough entrances and like three thousand of people. Also, the stadium was dirty. There were alcohol bottles in the grades and rests of food on the ground. It was annoying. 

Secondly, after two hours of queues, we could get into the stadium. After 30 minutes of waiting, a woman said through the speakers that the concert was cancelled. Abraam couldn't come because he was sick. I know tat he was not well enough to do the concert but somebody could have communicated it to us before 23 p.m. 

As a result, there wasn't a concert and te conditions weren't the ones that you advertised at the ticket and website. I would appreciate a full refund to everyone. I think that the spectators that were there are looking forward to receive their money back in the very near future. 

Yours faithfully, 

Nina Grabuleda

WRITING A LETTER TO A FRIEND

Hi Alec,
How are you? How was your summer? I hope it was fantastic! Thanks for your email. Sorry It's been taken me a wile replying. I've been really busy training.

You know what? We have another dog! Her name is Baldufa and It's a black-silver schnauzer. She's so cute and funny! We had to persuade our mum but she finally accepted to have it!

My other news is that I'm having an exhausting time! Since the term started, I have to swim every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 7.30 a.m. It's horrible!

Anyway, how are you? Do you still train every morning? Now I can understand why you said you were always so tired! I'd better go now, I have to study Biology.
Love from,
Nina

THE BEST HOLIDAYS I'VE EVER BEEN ON

THE BEST HOLIDAYS I'VE EVER BEEN ON

The best holidays I've ever been on were the last year ones. I went to Iceland with my family during a week and we visited the south of the island.

We went to the capital, Reykjavik and other small cities like Vik. We also saw icebergs, seals, wales and hundreds of puffins. The natives usually eat fish or sheep meat. The thing that surprised me the most was the river's hot water. We could swam in some rivers and I felt like if I was having a relaxing hot bath in the North Pole.

I really loved and enjoyed my trip! I want to go back to Iceland and experience this amazing adventure again!