The Wonders of Geology and the Popularity of Jokes: Exploring Exhibitions and Experiments
TEXTO 11: Treasures of the Earth
Treasures of the Earth examines the geology which affects our lives. In the exhibition, there is a model house which demonstrates how and where we use substances obtained from the earth. You can locate materials such as copper and titanium, which can be found in a typical kitchen or garage.
RESPUESTA
1. In this interesting geological exhibition, we can find hard and soft minerals, which can be used for many purposes, collections of objects that contain minerals, a model house and a gold mine, and rock from the moon. We can also experience an earthquake and watch the geological history of the planet.
2. a) exhibition b) tools c) lent d) fractures
3. a) Samples from the collection are used (in order) to study the minerals. b) “You should/ought to see the beautiful animated film,” they said to us. c) The exhibition has/contains a model house. d) You can see a large model of a modern gold mine/that shows a modern gold mine.
4. a) I think the text came from an advertisement or a brochure for an exhibition in a geological museum. It contains a lot of details, so I think it was written by a person who works in the museum, and the reason it was written is that they want people to come to the museum.
b) The minerals are used in a lot of objects that we use in our lives every day, such as tools, talc, building materials, and minerals.
5. I went to the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid at Christmas last year, where there was a special exhibition of pictures by Velázquez. We (I and my mother) traveled to Madrid by plane and underground and reached the museum easily. It was in a large modern building in the center. We had to wait a long time before we were able to enter because a lot of people were there. We were all very excited, and I think everybody learned a lot about the artist and his work, and something about Spanish history too. Velázquez used colors in a way nobody had done before and was an idol for many artists after he died, such as Salvador Dalí.
TEXTO 12: The World’s Most Popular Joke
Professor Chris Wiseman conducted an experiment in Britain to find the world’s most popular joke, although he asked people all over the world to contribute jokes as well, in order to judge them.
RESPUESTA
1. It talks about a competition for the most popular joke in the world. One of the favorite ones was about Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Some jokes are popular everywhere, but different people prefer different types of jokes, for example, men and women, and people from places such as Britain, Europe, and America.
2. a) experiment b) variations c) tent d) universal
3. a) “I have found the funniest jokes in the world,” said Wiseman. b) People enjoyed (most) (the) jokes about the relationship between men and women. (most) (more than any other(s)). c) The Americans’ and Canadians’ favorite jokes are about making somebody look stupid. d) In order to find the world’s most popular joke, Chris Wiseman conducted an experiment.
4. a) Yes, different people like different jokes. Different nationalities like British and Australian people like jokes that play with words. In Spain, there are a lot of jokes about people from Cataluña, Andalucía, and Galicia. I don’t understand some of the jokes that boys tell me, which are usually about girls or the toilets. They do not make me laugh, and I prefer the ones they tell in television programs like “El Club del Chiste”, which are clever, and the performance of the jokes is very good.
b) I know the experiment was popular because people contributed many jokes, and almost 2 million people voted for their favorite one. Also, the television program where he gave the result was watched by millions of people.
5. I am very happy when I can travel with my friends and family. I like going to beautiful cities, visiting the monuments, and looking at the views in the country. I like listening to the latest music on the radio or my iPod and watching music videos. If there is a concert, I always go, such as the concerts in María Pita Square in A Coruña, even if it is classical music. I also like to go shopping, especially for clothes, in department stores with my mum. But these things only make me happy for a moment. In order to be a happy person, you need to have a happy family like mine, who will support you when you have problems.
TEXTO 13: The Benefits of Probiotic Products
Probiotic products are healthy foods that contain good bacteria, and some of them are among the best-selling foods in supermarkets. Probiotic foods and drinks contain types of bacteria that naturally colonize your intestines and help you digest food, though we may not like eating them so much.
RESPUESTA
1. Probiotic foods are bought by many people. They are healthy because they contain good bacteria which fight illnesses, for example, in our intestines. They also make our immune system stronger, so psoriasis, influenza, and asthma may improve. People return to work sooner as they suffer these illnesses for less time.
2. a) digest b) super-clean c) improve d) illnesses
3. a) If we feed these “friendly” bacteria into our system, we (will/can/Ø) fight the bad bacteria. b) Your immune system can be helped by probiotics. c) We may not enjoy eating them so much. d) Unless we eat them, our digestive health may be affected.
4. a) Some conditions that are helped by probiotics are bad digestion, a poor immune system, influenza, asthma, and psoriasis. Probiotics introduce good bacteria, which fight the bad bacteria and improve the immune system.
b) They contain a lot of vitamins and make me strong. Unfortunately, I also eat chocolate, cakes, and biscuits, which have too much fat and sugar, and besides, I drink 2 liters of Coca-Cola every day. I need to be more careful about what I eat!
5. I try to sleep eight hours every night, which makes me feel good during the day, and I never need to sleep a siesta in the afternoon. When I go out at night, especially at the weekend, I always avoid things such as alcohol and drugs because they can ruin your health forever. I sometimes practice sports such as swimming, football, and running, but only once or twice a week, as I don’t have much free time. If I have to go shopping, I never take the bus but always walk, even if it’s a long way. In this way, I think I do enough to keep healthy, and I feel fit, so in my opinion, I’m doing the things I should.
TEXTO 14: From Transportation to Sport: The Evolution of Skating
Skating was a mode of transportation for war and hunting in Northern Europe: it was a quick way to cross frozen lakes, rivers, and streams.
RESPUESTA
1. Skating started in Northern Europe many centuries ago and was a way of transporting things. It became an international sport in 1892 and an Olympic sport in 1908. There are different kinds of events: singles, pairs, and ice dancing, some of which are chosen by the skaters while others are compulsory.
2. a) frozen b) waterways c) perform d) couple
3. a) Goods were being transported across frozen waterways (by skaters). b) Six years after the International Skating Union was founded, the first official event was celebrated. c) If judges didn’t deduct points, a balanced program would not be important. d) There are three sections in ice dancing.
4. a) They were able to include figure skating in the 1908 Olympic Games because the International Skating Union, which had been founded in 1892, worked hard for a decade.
b) “Free skating” and “free dancing” are different from the rest because they are more original: in these, the skaters can choose the music and their interpretation of it.
5. I think it would be a mistake to exclude football from the Olympic Games. Some people say there is already a World Cup for football, so we don’t need it in the Olympic Games, but I think more people will watch the Games if there is football because it is the most popular sport in the world. Also, it is a good idea because Spain will probably win a gold or silver medal because we have the best team, and Spain doesn’t usually win many medals. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are in the same position. It is a good chance for young players to show their talent, and they can be seen by the managers of Barcelona, Arsenal, and other teams.