CHAMPS - White Satellite

CHAMPS is a band from the Isle of Wight. They have appeared on the British Council's Selector music radio show. This song is called 'White Satellite'. See what you think.

Preparation

CHAMPS appeared on the British Council's Selector music radio programme, which brings you the best of new, British music. To find out more about CHAMPS and to listen to more of their music, have a look at their website. Music and lyrics by Michael & David Champion (cc).

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

1. …….. a doorway      a. a group of people who sing together
2. …….. to bury      b. a space where there is a door
3. …….. ground      c. to put something in the ground and cover it with earth
4. …….. crown      d. the grey, powdery material that is left after something is burnt
5. …….. a choir      e. an object in space that orbits around the Earth, the sun or another planet
6. …….. a satellite      f. the solid surface of the Earth
7. …….. a frown      g. a circular decorative object worn on the head of a king or queen
8. …….. ashes      h. a facial expression of displeasure made by wrinkling the brow

SuperJam set to make Teenager A Millonaire

Do you have any special family recipes? Watch this video about a Scottish teenager who has created an international business from his Gran's jam recipe.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the number 1–8.

1. …….. a break     a. to make something, especially by using machines
2. …….. jammy      b. to provide things that people want or need
3. …….. to go down a treat     c. to be enjoyable and a success
4. …….. lucrative     d. very pleased or happy
5. …….. to produce     e. making a lot of money
6. …….. an entrepreneur     f. lucky (informal)
7. …….. to supply     g. an opportunity that helps you become a success
8. …….. delighted     h. someone who starts their own business and is willing to take risks

Slang

Slang is very informal language which is often used by young people. It's hard to keep up to date with slang, but this article will help you learn a few words that your teacher may not know!

Language changes all the time. New words and phrases appear and evolve. The words and pronunciations used by young people in the UK can be very different to those used by adults. Living in a multicultural society has an effect on language, especially on young people, whose friends are often from a mix of backgrounds. TV and music also have a big impact on the language of the young. Often UK singers sing in American accents without realising.

Young British people use lots of language that you usually can’t find in most dictionaries. These extremely informal words and expressions are known as ‘slang’. It is not possible to make a complete list of modern British slang. By the time the list was finished, it would be out of date! New words come and go like fashions. However, here are a few examples:

• Safe, sorted, sound, cool or wicked all mean 'That’s good' or 'I understand'.
• Instead of using different tag questions like …isn’t it?, can’t you? or don’t they?, people use innit(e.g., It’s hot here, isn’t it? = It’s hot here, innit!, He can dance really well, can’t he? = He can dance really well, innit! or They always say that, don’t they? = They always say that, innit.).
• Instead of saying very, really or completely use well (e.g., I’m well tired or You got it well wrong!).
• Whatever means I don’t care (e.g., A: But the teacher says we can’t leave until we’ve finished. B: Whatever. I’m going).
• He’s fine or He’s fit both mean He’s good-looking. Fine and fit can describe a boy or a girl.
• A hoodie is a young person who wears a jacket with a hood (a hood keeps your head dry in rainy Britain!). It is a negative word and suggests that the young person might be a troublemaker or even a criminal.

Ethical fashion: Can high street fashion be fair?

We live in a world addicted to so-called ‘fast fashion’ - and chances are, we’ve all been there. Whether it’s £3 pumps or a whole new outfit for under £50, big name brands such as Primark, H&M and Forever 21 are offering new and affordable ways of keeping up with fashion and adding to an ever-expanding wardrobe. But how often do we actually stop and think about how these products can possibly be so cheap? In other words: what is the real cost of fast fashion?

Big brands aim to get customers to buy their products, and one of the largest factors for many people when buying clothes is price; how cheap can I get what I’m looking for? Would this be cheaper somewhere else? It seems that quality is often taking a back seat to how much money we can save, especially in bad economic conditions. For instance, a Cambridge University report shows that in just 4 years, the amount of clothes bought rose by a third-despite the recession.

As a result of this, clothing firms need to get their production costs down as much as possible. The best way is to take advantage of low production costs in countries like China and Bangladesh. Here, factories don’t have the same health and safety standards that we’re used to in the Western world. Wages are notoriously low and employees work for long hours without breaks and in bad conditions. Therefore, the clothes, shoes and accessories that hang in our wardrobes can then be sold for a much lower price…and we rarely think about the people thousands of miles away who made them.

Ethical shopping

We all need to buy stuff from time to time. But do we think about how our shopping affects people, animals and the environment? Here's how you can love fashion and the world we live in.

Ethical shopping

We all need to eat, drink and wear clothes, don’t we? But what do we know about the products that we buy in shops, in supermarkets or online? Many people in Britain want to know more about the products they buy. They want to know how people, animals and our planet are treated when food, drinks and clothes are produced.

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Foundation is an organisation based in the UK that helps farmers and workers in the poorer parts of the world to earn enough money to live comfortably. The organisation asks companies that grow products such as coffee or bananas to pay fair wages and to provide their workers with good conditions. The companies that follow these requirements then receive the Fairtrade certificate and can sell their products with the ‘Fairtrade’ mark to international consumers. About 5 million people benefit from Fairtrade in 58 countries. More than 90 different products including coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, cocoa, juice, sugar and honey have the Fairtrade mark. There are over 4,500 Fairtrade certified products for sale in shops and supermarkets in the UK. Almost one in three bananas sold in the UK is Fairtrade!

Free range and organic

Free range farming means that farm animals spend time outside rather than being inside 24 hours a day. Meat, eggs or dairy products, such as milk or cheese, can be free range. Some experts say that this type of farming is preferable because it is less cruel and the animals are healthier. Many people also think that free range food tastes better and is more nutritious than conventionally farmed food. Organic food is produced using few or no chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Some people feel that organic food is safer or healthier than conventional food and that it tastes better. You can see organic fruit and vegetables on sale in most British supermarkets. Both free range and organic food can be more expensive than other types of food but despite this they are very popular in the UK. However, a recent report showed that demand for organic food has fallen slightly since the economic recession began in Britain.

Ethical clothing

Fashion is big global business. You can check the labels on your clothes to see which countries they are made in. Some clothing manufacturers have been accused of employing children and of allowing unsafe conditions in their factories. Following the collapse of a clothing factory in Bangladesh which killed a large number of workers, the British public have started to wake up to the question of where and how their clothes are produced. After this disaster a number of brands seen in the British shopping centres, including Primark, Marks and Spencer and H&M, have made a deal to give money each year to pay for factory inspections and to help make conditions safer for workers. People are becoming more and more interested in where their clothes are made, who they are made by, and in what conditions. They want their clothes to look good AND to be ethical. Most fashion manufacturers now have sections of their websites with information about their workers and their environmental policies.

Pre-loved clothes

Old clothes used to be called ‘second-hand’ or ‘hand-me-downs’. Nowadays people also say ‘vintage’ or ‘pre-loved’. Recycling by buying used clothes is popular in the UK, especially with young people. In Britain you can buy cheap used clothes from charity shops such as Oxfam. Well-known celebrities wear used clothes too. Celebrities like Kate Moss and Katy Perry are big fans of vintage clothes and are often seen wearing second-hand clothes and accessories. Another way to recycle is to adapt the clothes you already have. The BBC ran a clothes recycling competition aimed at teenagers. The competition was to redesign an old pair of jeans to create a new garment or accessory. The winners took part in a fashion masterclass and then showed their final designs on the catwalk in Paris.

With the help of organisations like Fairtrade, shoppers in the UK can make more choices about some of the products they buy. Clothes manufacturers are helping to make fashion a safer business and also to keep their customers informed.

Mars One introduction film

Would you like to go and live on Mars? There are plans for a group of scientists to settle on Mars in 2023. Find out more in this video.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

1. …….. to establish      a. newspapers, television, the internet, radio and magazines
2. …….. a settlement      b. a type of machine used to travel on planet surfaces
3. …….. the media      c. to start something that will exist for a long time
4. …….. the globe      d. a place that can be lived in
5. …….. a private enterprise      e. ideas that you think are nonsense
6. …….. mumbo-jumbo      f. a place where people will live and make into a community
7. …….. habitable      g. a business that is owned and managed by independent people or businesses and not by the government
8. …….. a planetary rover      h. the world

1. Check your understanding: true or false

    Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. The first group of five humans will land on Mars in 2023.    True    False
2. Prof. Dr Gerard T Hooft has changed his initial view of the project.    True    False
3. Humans last went to Mars in the 1970s.    True    False
4. The crew will not be coming back from Mars.    True    False
5. The mission will be financed by creating the biggest media event ever.    True     False
6. Aerospace companies from around the world will supply the equipment.    True    False
7. Government and taxpayers' money will also help finance the project.    True    False
8. The first humans to go there will prepare the settlement for the arrival of the others.    True    False
9. The journey to Mars will take seven years.    True    False
10. Prof. Dr Gerard T Hooft is completely positive about the project.    True    False

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice

    Circle the best answer to these questions.

1. Mars One will establish a human settlement on Mars in __________.    a. 2023 b. 2020 c. 2032
2. The last time that humans walked on the moon was in __________.    a. 1979 b. 1792 c. 1972
3. In __________, a communications satellite and a supply mission will be sent to Mars.    a. 2016 b. 2017 c. 2018
4. Then, in __________, a large planetary rover will be sent to Mars.    a. 2020 b. 2018 c. 2016
5. Next, in __________, living units, life support units, a rover and more supplies will be sent to Mars.    a. 2021 b. 2022 c. 2020
6. When the settlement is fully operational and habitable, a crew will then depart in September __________.    a. 2023 b. 2022 c. 2024

Discussion

Would you apply for the job to live on Mars?   What do you think about the Mars One project?

KEYS

Preparation

1. c 2. f 3. a 4. h 5. g 6. e 7. d 8. b

1. Check your understanding: true or false

1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. False 9. False 10.True

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice

1. a 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. b

Science experiment in space

What do you think will happen if you wring out a wet cloth in space? Astronaut Chris Hadfield performed a simple science experiment designed by high school students to find out.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a – h next to the number 1 – 8.

1…….. a vice                   a. the natural force that causes objects to fall to the ground or pulls them towards a planet

2…….. surface tension      b. to twist and squeeze (a wet cloth or hair) to remove water

3…….. a washcloth           c. a tool used for holding something tightly

4…….. gravity                  d. completely wet

5…….. soaking                 e. to suddenly force (a liquid) out through a small opening

6…….. to float              f. a small cloth that you use to wash your face or body; a flannel (UK

7…….. to wring                g. the natural force existing in a liquid that holds its surface together

8…….. to squirt                h. to stay in the air or to rest on top of a liquid

The carbon planet

How much do you know about the planets in our solar system? Read on to find out the latest in scientific research in this area.

Preparation

A planet the size of Jupiter has been discovered and it is one of the hottest ones known to us. This has made scientists think about how planets are formed.

Heat signature

Planets such as Earth have more oxygen than carbon, but what if the composition was reversed? This is a question opened up by a recent discovery of a 'diamond planet' by US and UK scientists, led by Nikku Madhusudhan of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and including researchers from Belfast’s Queens University and the University of Warwick. The planet is 1200 light years away from Earth and was observed using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Dr Marek Kukula of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London, whose role is to interpret and comment on astronomical discoveries made by British scientists, explained that researchers initially used the SuperWASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) robotic observatories operating continuously, all year around. They detected the planet, then it was observed with the Spitzer Space telescope, which according to Dr Kukula 'detected the heat coming from the planet, and from that heat signature they can tell what this planet is made from'.

Giant planet

The planet is very different to Earth. ‘It’s a giant planet,’ explains Dr Kukula, ‘a gas planet, a bit like Jupiter in our solar system. But the interesting thing that they’ve discovered is that it has a very different composition to the planets in our solar system. So where our planets have a half fraction of oxygen then carbon, this planet has it the other way around, it has more carbon than oxygen.’ This suggests that there is more than one way to make a solar system and the range of planets in the universe could be much wider than previously thought.

Diamonds and graphite

Dr Kukula says that if there are smaller planets in the same solar system with a similar composition, rich in carbon, their rocks could be rich in minerals such as carbon and diamonds, unlike Earth which has silica, the sand that rocks on Earth are made from. ‘This is where this diamond planet idea comes from; they haven’t actually detected a diamond planet yet,’ explains Dr Kukula. It’s hypothetical, ‘but you can imagine strange landscapes with black graphite rocks lying around and the surface could be covered with sticky liquids instead of water.’

The smart casual dilemma

Dress codes are usually fairly straightforward. If you're going to a wedding (or similar occasion), then you know that you should wear something smart - usually a suit for men, a dress for women. Likewise, if you're going out with friends you can dress casually, in jeans and a top. It's the area in the middle - referred to as "smart casual" - that presents me with a dilemma. This can be interpreted in so many different ways! One person might veer towards the smart side, whilst another might opt for more casual attire. For many of us, myself included, this is a difficult dress code to get right.

I currently work in France as a language assistant. I had no idea what I would be expected to wear to school. You see, in British schools teachers dress smartly. Most male teachers will wear a suit; most female teachers will wear a dress, skirt or suit. On the whole, teachers will wear similar clothing to those who work in office jobs. Even the language assistants I had at school conformed to this (rather strict) dress code. Was I supposed to do the same in France?

Packing was a slightly stressful affair. I was only taking one suitcase, so my choice of clothing was limited. In the end, I decided to take mostly casual clothes, with a few items which I would look relatively smart in. When I arrived in France, I realised there was no need to have worried. Here, the teachers wear jeans to school! I followed their lead: if they wore jeans, it was clearly not an issue if I did too. In fact, I have only seen a handful of teachers wearing suits!

Having spoken to several other assistants, it was clear they also had the same dilemma as me. Perhaps it is because of cultural differences. In Britain and the US, education is a more formal affair and uniforms are important. Here on the continent, it seems to be far more laid back; uniforms don't exist for students, and there is no set dress code for teachers either. Luckily it made my life a lot easier!

The Apple watch: technology gone too far?

For those of you who haven’t heard of it, the Apple watch is the latest invention from the infamous creators of the iPhone and Apple Mac. As the name suggests, this creation is a device designed to tell us the time. This is Apple, however, and an Apple watch is never just a watch. In fact, this accessory is multifunctional; not only does it show us the time, but it also acts as a fitness monitor and a messaging device that can be connected with an iPhone.

Is this a genius invention or technology gone too far?

Whilst the upcoming Apple watch is stylish in appearance, I can’t help but question certain aspects of the new device. Is it a positive thing to be able to receive messages through a watch, or is this another way of letting technology disrupt our social lives?

Thanks to the invention of the smartwatch, we will no longer have to reach for our phones to check our messages. Imagine the possible consequences. A group of friends sitting at a table in a restaurant will ignore each other as everyone will be too busy watching their wrists in anticipation of a new message. Students will have a means of ‘discreetly’ checking their inbox during school, despite the fact that mobile phones are forbidden in class. The list goes on. Although smartwatches may make communicating through technology easier, it seems that it could actually hinder face-to-face communication.

Much like a phone, the watch would also need to be charged every day. This is yet another aspect of the device which sets its apart from any ‘normal’ watch. If, like me, you struggle when remembering to put your phone on charge, this is a not necessarily a positive thing.

I do have to agree, however, the watch has some interesting and purposeful functions. As a fitness monitor, the device can be used to create and record sporting activities. This could be of particular interest to sports fans. Whilst there are several existing android apps that can already do this, I can see that the Apple watch would be a more convenient way of exercising without a mobile phone. The questions remains, however, is the price worth the benefits?

Whilst there are clearly both positive and negative aspects when it comes to Apple’s latest invention, I personally like my single-purpose watch that simply tells me the time! What about you? Would you be interested in having a smartwatch?

Saint Patrick´s Day

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day - also referred to as "Saint Paddy's Day" - appears to have become a worldwide phenomenon. Whilst Saint David's Day is almost exclusively celebrated in Wales and many English people probably couldn't even tell you when Saint George's Day is (April 23rd, if you're interested), celebrations take place across the world for Saint Patrick's Day. It is celebrated on the 17th March - that's just under a week away!

A few days ago, I received an email which informed me that numerous buildings, statues and natural wonders around the world would be green for Saint Patrick's Day. In the UK the London Eye will glow green for the night, as will Nelson's Column. Across the -Coe C R to name a few. Even Niagara Falls will be illuminated for the night! An American friend also told me that the Chicago River is dyed green for the event. I had never heard of this before - but next year I will definitely try to see some of the participating landmarks in the UK!

For a lot of people, Saint Patrick's Day is simply a day to have a drink with family and friends. However, for some people the day is an important cultural event. Dublin - the capital of the Republic of Ireland - hosts lots of events to celebrate the occasion. The Saint Patrick's Festival in Dublin is an event which is attended by locals and tourists alike. There is a huge parade and also some traditional Irish dancing - known as a 'ceili'. One day, I would love to experience this event. Across the UK, many pubs and bars are decorated with shamrocks and will host quizzes or events for Saint Patrick's Day. It has become a hugely popular day in the British calendar - and it looks like its popularity will only continue to grow.

About the Earth

Look at the quiz and answer the questions to practise and improve your reading skills.

KEY

1. B. Antarctica

2. C. The Atacama desert in Chile

3. A. Tibet

4. B. The Red Sea

5. A. The Pacific

6. B. Mount Everest in the Himalayas

7. C. The Nile

8. A. Hawaii

9. C. Venezuela

10. A. Libya

11. C. Colombia

12. C. Antarctica

Tables

Tables are great for organising words into groups. The examples above show a table organised by topic and one for opposites.

A for and against essay about the internet

Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Complete the tips for writing a for and against essay with a word from the box.

disagree          formal          plan          reasons          opinions

1. You should give your _______________ on the topic.
2. Always give _______________ for your opinions.
3. You can agree, _______________ or discuss both sides of the statement.
4. The register used in an essay is usually quite _______________.
5. You need to _______________ your essay carefully before you start writing.

A more formal email

Look at the exam question and email and do the exercises to practise and improve your writing skills. 

Preparation

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. You should use polite expressions and more formal grammatical structures. True   False
2. You don't have to include all the points mentioned in the question. True   False
3. You can use contractions in a formal email. True   False
4. You should avoid using conventional expressions for starting and finishing the email. True   False
5. You should use this style for a person you don't know. True   False

Writing about survey results

Look at the pie chart and text and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Your writing should have an introduction, main body and conclusion. True   False
2. You should include your opinion about the results of the survey. True   False
3. You should try to mention or summarise all the information given. True   False
4. You should use a variety of expressions for describing percentages and proportions. True   False
5. You don't have to use connectors or link ideas together. True   False
6. In your conclusion, you should focus on the most important figures or trends. True   False

Writing about a bar chart

Look at the bar chart, question and sample answer and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Look at the chart below and circle the best answer to these questions.

1. How many years does the chart show information for?

    a. one   b. two   c. three

2. Who does the chart show information for?

    a. men only   b. women only   c. both men and women

3. How many men studied engineering in Australian universities in 2012?

    a. 6,000   b. 12,000   c. 14,000

Google Science Fair

Elif Bilgin is an up-and-coming scientist. Check out what she discovered about banana peel in this video. Well done, Elif!

Preparation

Exercises

1. Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.
  1…….. starch                a. a liquid which can be used to make petrol, paraffin and diesel oil
  2…….. bioplastic            b. a mark showing damage on a fruit or vegetable
  3…….. to create             c. a carbohydrate found in vegetables, seeds and some fruits
  4…….. petroleum           d. the outer part of a banana
  5…….. a bruise             e. a type of plastic made from biological things such as plants
  6…….. banana peel          f. a small clear round dish
  7…….. the consequences   g. to make something new
  8…….. Petri dish              h. the outcome

2. Check your understanding: true or false
    Circle True or False for these sentences.
  1. Elif is sixteen years old and lives in Istanbul, Turkey.   True   False
  2. The Bosphorus is where Europe meets Asia.   True   False
  3. Petroleum-based plastics cause a small amount of pollution.   True   False
  4. Bioplastics are more expensive to make and recycle.   True   False
  5. Elif's project was to make plastic out of organic waste materials.   True   False
  6. She had to find equal-sized bananas which were all the same colour and didn't have any bruises.   True   False
  7. The process included dipping, boiling and frying the peel.   True   False
  8. The best part of the process was eating the banana cupcakes and banana splits.   True   False

Keys

1. 1. c 2. e 3. g 4. a 5. b 6. d 7. h 8. f 1.
2. 1. True 2. True 3. False 4. False 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. False

Transcript

Transcript for Google science fair Elif Bilgin:

My name is Elif, I’m sixteen years old and I live in Istanbul, Turkey. My favourite place to spend time is watching the view of the Bosphorus. It’s the point where Europe meets Asia and it’s beautiful. Istanbul is a city that never sleeps.

Because I live in a big city I face environmental problems like pollution on a daily basis. I found out that petroleum-based plastics are causing a vast amount of pollution and that bioplastic is a solution. It is cheaper to make, and recycles a waste material. Bioplastics can be made from potatoes because of the starch in them. So the aim of my project was to see if I could make plastic out of organic waste material. Bananas contain a lot of starch and are therefore a potential plastic material. I researched the current methods for creating bioplastics and I worked for two years developing my project. I had to seek out equal-sized bananas with no bruises and they all had to be of the same official colour index. I did encounter some strange looks when I was picking them!

The peel is something we throw away every day but little do we know that it could be put to much more use. The process includes dipping the peel in sodium metabisulphite solution, boiling and puréeing them. The paste is transferred to a Petri dish and baked. I had twelve attempts at making the plastic and all but the last two were unsuccessful. The best part of the process was the moment when I got my first successful result. The type of plastic I have created can have many uses, including cosmetic prosthetics and the insulation of cables. The method I designed is so simple, it’s possible to say you can actually make it at home. Anyone could use this plastic and our beautiful planet will be spared from the consequences of the production of plastics with petroleum derivatives. I can now say that I have perfected my recipe for banana cupcakes and I make an awesome banana split, and of course I’ve ended up eating a tonne of bananas!