Diplomado de Inglés Group A Day 21 January 24th, 2012

Part 2

Talk about these questions. Do you know of any sports that involve animals? Yes? Which ones? Have you ever heard of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race? Pairwork

Part 3

Select the best title for each of the following short passages; be prepared to explain your choice.

Large areas of suburban housing are located on the edges of most big cities. Homes in the suburbs usually have more garden space than houses or apartments in the city. There may be more trees, flowers and parks. Moreover, the roads are often wider and there are always fewer tall buildings. People feel that life in the suburbs is quieter and more peaceful than in the city: it is supposed to be like country life. Nevertheless, suburban areas may cover up farm land. Forests and grasslands may also be used for this purpose. Consequently, suburban housing frequently destroys natural areas and reduces the number of wild birds and animals. It is worth wondering if people who move to the suburbs really do find what they are looking for. a) Suburban Life: Country Living within Reach of the City b) Positive and Negative Aspects of Suburban Life. c) Problems Caused by Suburban Housing d) The Contrast between City and Suburban Life

Schools and universities are being pressured more and more to train students for the world of work. The idea of education for its own sake is under attack. Now, the purpose of education is mainly to prepare students to find a well-paid job. To people who favour this educational approach, it is a good idea because it meets society’s need for skilled workers. Many people think that a nation’s future depends on having a well-trained high-tech work force. But others believe that education should focus more on general skills and on cultural knowledge. They say that job skills can best be obtained through special courses after the end of ordinary school or university. In particular they argue that the high-tech workplace is changing so quickly that schools will never keep up with the real needs of business or industry, anyway. a) Arguments around Education as a Preparation for Work b) Meeting Society’s Need for Skilled Workers c) Rapid Changes in the High-Teach Workplace d) Pressures on Schools and Universities

True friendship depends on give and take. But what does this really mean? Some people believe that friendship is a transaction in which each partner gives something to the other. According to this model, what each friend contributes is measured and compared to make sure that the relationship is equal. If one friend gives less than the other, there is a problem. By contrast, others argue that no two people are ever exactly the same; so, there will never be equal contributions. But there can be an equal willingness to help and support each other. This is a different model of give and take. It depends on equal attitudes but not necessarily equal actions. This model may be more flexible and realistic than the first one, but it is also more philosophical. a) A Philosophical Model of Friendship b) A Model of Equal Friendship c) Why Two Friends Are Never Exactly the Same d) Alternative Models of Give and Take in Friendship

An old proverb says, “Mens sane in corpore sano” – “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” This saying has had a strong influence on our schools. Every school, college or university has a playing field and a gymnasium. All students are required or at least encouraged to take physical education classes along with academic courses. Strength, energy and concentration are needed for academic success. Those qualities can be developed through physical activity. And healthy students have a good chance of going on to a long, healthy life. However, gymnasia and sports equipment can be very expensive. When budgets are limited, it may be difficult to decide between spending money on the sports program or on the library or the chemistry laboratory. Hard decisions are required. a) The Importance of Physical Education in Schools b) Health Minds and Bodies at School c) Finding the Right Place for Physical Education in Schools d) The Conflict among the Sports Program, the Library and the Chemistry Laboratory

Exercise: The Messenger The Writer The Editor