Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Visit to Auckland University's ELSAC
On Thursday we'll visit the university's ELSAC. We are scheduled to leave the classroom at 10.50am tomorrow in order to arrive at ELSAC, next to the University Bookstore, which is on campus. We'll be back by 12.40am. For more information please visit Auckland University's ELSAC page.
Test (25/11/09): writing, listening & reading
Please check back tomorrow for your results. I will email the tapescript to those who sat the test.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Announcement: Wednesday's Class
Jennifer, Module 4A's teacher, will be away for the rest of the week. For this reason, the IELTS class and Jennifer's Topics Class will combine. Unfortunately, we will not be able to do the test we had scheduled for Wednesday's class, but we will do some reading & speaking that will be relevant for both classes.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Homework Answers p130...Nicole's writing answer
Tonight's reading is related to today's writing topic: In defence of history.
2) Answer = D
3) 1 b (lines 10-14)
2 A (lines 19-20)
3 C (lines 23-26)
4 A (lines 38-39)
5 C (lines 48-51)
6 A (lines 58-61)
4)1 a 2 b 3 a 4 b 5 b 6 a
5) 1 unbiased 2 analogous 3 consequently 4 perceive 5 succession 6 recognition
____________________________________________________________________________
Today in class, we wrote an essay (task 2). As mentioned, here's my personal answer:
The world is becoming increasingly aware of the existence of other cultures living on the same planet. This essay will argue that although it is preferable that as many of us as possible are aware of other cultures, it is not vital for everyone to study foreigh hisory and culture.
In this age of political correctness, it is appropriate that people understand the cultural history of others in the world around them. This understanding is thought to promote respect between people and represents the fertilizer from which peace and harmony spring. Knowledge of other cultures also allows one to be in a position to assist others in a multi-cultural community. As one gains insight into a different culture and its history, they can gain advantages such as the ability to do international business, avoid political clashes that can result from ignorance and miscommunication.
Coming from a contrary perspective, it can be argued that there is no advantage in learning about other cultures and history with regard to keeping peace. The Roman philosopher Apuleius once said that familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. He may have a valid point when it comes to race relations in countries such as Lebanon, where different religions and sects have lived side by side for centuries, with an awareness of each others' customs language and culture, and yet no real progress in regards to peace.
Furthermore, in the modern age of information technology, it is unnecessary to be intimately acquainted with a multitude of cultures. Should one need the tools of communication or social etiquette needed to do business with another country, there are a multitude of tools available. The internet is a wealth of knowledge, as are translation services. Whatismore, with the spread of globalisation, the world is becoming as one, culturally and linguistically. Minority languages are disappearing and people are beginning to operate within the framework of what is internationally acceptable, with certain cultural norms dominating others.
(Conclusion to come)
2) Answer = D
3) 1 b (lines 10-14)
2 A (lines 19-20)
3 C (lines 23-26)
4 A (lines 38-39)
5 C (lines 48-51)
6 A (lines 58-61)
4)1 a 2 b 3 a 4 b 5 b 6 a
5) 1 unbiased 2 analogous 3 consequently 4 perceive 5 succession 6 recognition
____________________________________________________________________________
Today in class, we wrote an essay (task 2). As mentioned, here's my personal answer:
The world is becoming increasingly aware of the existence of other cultures living on the same planet. This essay will argue that although it is preferable that as many of us as possible are aware of other cultures, it is not vital for everyone to study foreigh hisory and culture.
In this age of political correctness, it is appropriate that people understand the cultural history of others in the world around them. This understanding is thought to promote respect between people and represents the fertilizer from which peace and harmony spring. Knowledge of other cultures also allows one to be in a position to assist others in a multi-cultural community. As one gains insight into a different culture and its history, they can gain advantages such as the ability to do international business, avoid political clashes that can result from ignorance and miscommunication.
Coming from a contrary perspective, it can be argued that there is no advantage in learning about other cultures and history with regard to keeping peace. The Roman philosopher Apuleius once said that familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration. He may have a valid point when it comes to race relations in countries such as Lebanon, where different religions and sects have lived side by side for centuries, with an awareness of each others' customs language and culture, and yet no real progress in regards to peace.
Furthermore, in the modern age of information technology, it is unnecessary to be intimately acquainted with a multitude of cultures. Should one need the tools of communication or social etiquette needed to do business with another country, there are a multitude of tools available. The internet is a wealth of knowledge, as are translation services. Whatismore, with the spread of globalisation, the world is becoming as one, culturally and linguistically. Minority languages are disappearing and people are beginning to operate within the framework of what is internationally acceptable, with certain cultural norms dominating others.
(Conclusion to come)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Listening Test: Answers & Results (Thurs 19/11/09)
Today's in-class Listning Test came from Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS 1 and answers are as follow.
Practice Test 3:
Listening Section 1
1 B 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 Richard Lee 6 30 Enmore Road 7 Newport 8 Architecture 9 LJX058K 10 Ford 11 C 12 (on the) (front) window/windscreen
Section 2
13 November 1991
14 (historic) ships
15 green arrows
16 information desk
17 stairs to climb//lots of stairs
18 every hour
19 Captain Cook
20 the sea
21 Australian artists/painters
22 $70
23 souvenirs
Section 3
24 B 25 C 26 D 27 A
28 law has changed//law changes//changes in law
29 (powerful) computer programs
30 from home (computer)
31 hotels/hotel beds/rooms
32 hire cars
Section 4
33 displays//products//displays and products
34 (hidden) TV cameras
35 recorder//recording
36 'Spaceman'
37 position//shelf//spot//place
38 walk (straight/right) past//ignore//pass
39 at eye level//near customers' eyes
40 hotspots
41 special offers
42 chocolates
________________________________________________________
TEST RESULTS
25 , your listening test result was 19 out of 42.
21, your listening test result was 20 out of 42.
99 , your listening test result was 26 out of 42.
08 , your listening test result was 23 out of 42.
01, your listening test result was 30 out of 42.
66 , your listening test result was 27 out of 42.
88, your listening test result was 37 out of 42.
17, your listening test result was 36 out of 42.
00, your listening test result was 27 out of 42.
20, your listening test result was 28 out of 42.
14 , your listening test result was 29 out of 42.
Practice Test 3:
Listening Section 1
1 B 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 Richard Lee 6 30 Enmore Road 7 Newport 8 Architecture 9 LJX058K 10 Ford 11 C 12 (on the) (front) window/windscreen
Section 2
13 November 1991
14 (historic) ships
15 green arrows
16 information desk
17 stairs to climb//lots of stairs
18 every hour
19 Captain Cook
20 the sea
21 Australian artists/painters
22 $70
23 souvenirs
Section 3
24 B 25 C 26 D 27 A
28 law has changed//law changes//changes in law
29 (powerful) computer programs
30 from home (computer)
31 hotels/hotel beds/rooms
32 hire cars
Section 4
33 displays//products//displays and products
34 (hidden) TV cameras
35 recorder//recording
36 'Spaceman'
37 position//shelf//spot//place
38 walk (straight/right) past//ignore//pass
39 at eye level//near customers' eyes
40 hotspots
41 special offers
42 chocolates
________________________________________________________
TEST RESULTS
25 , your listening test result was 19 out of 42.
21, your listening test result was 20 out of 42.
99 , your listening test result was 26 out of 42.
08 , your listening test result was 23 out of 42.
01, your listening test result was 30 out of 42.
66 , your listening test result was 27 out of 42.
88, your listening test result was 37 out of 42.
17, your listening test result was 36 out of 42.
00, your listening test result was 27 out of 42.
20, your listening test result was 28 out of 42.
14 , your listening test result was 29 out of 42.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Eels...pronunciation...test tomorrow
EELS
Today we talked about eels and their breeding cycle. For more on NZ eels, follow this link. The oldest eel
PRONUNCIATION
Today's words to practice were:
love / lev (which is Bulgarian currency) / live (v.) / leave
LISTENING TEST & VOCAB TEST TOMORROW
We've got a 30 min listening test tomorrow and a Vocab test tomorrow too. Please refer to Week 9 Vocabulary.
Today we talked about eels and their breeding cycle. For more on NZ eels, follow this link. The oldest eel
PRONUNCIATION
Today's words to practice were:
love / lev (which is Bulgarian currency) / live (v.) / leave
LISTENING TEST & VOCAB TEST TOMORROW
We've got a 30 min listening test tomorrow and a Vocab test tomorrow too. Please refer to Week 9 Vocabulary.
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