EBAU Practice

EBAU Practice

LISTENING

 https://mini-ielts.com/1160/listening/paper-on-public-libraries

Paper on Public Libraries

 

1    What will be the main topic of Trudie and Stewart’s paper?

A  how public library services are organised in different countries

B  how changes in society are reflected in public libraries

C  how the funding of public libraries has changed

 

2    They agree that one disadvantage of free digitalised books is that

A  they may take a long time to read.

B  they can be difficult to read.

C  they are generally old.

 

3    Stewart expects that in the future libraries will

A  maintain their traditional function.

B  become centres for local communities.

C  no longer contain any books.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the unalienable rights which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their creator, and which governments are created to protect.

DOES MONEY BRING HAPPINESS?

Almost all of us are motivated by money. Money probably doesn’t bring happiness, but not having enough money to take care of our basic needs will seriously limit our happiness. No one wants to live in poverty and no one will lend to the poor.

Money helps us lead a comfortable life. It helps us provide the best possible education for our children. It ensures that our near and dear ones have access to medical attention whenever they need it.

There is a limit to the amount of money that we can spend on ourselves. Still, the richest among us have amassed wealth they or their progeny will never use in their lifetime. Still, they aren’t satisfied. They want more. That is the lure of money. It never makes people content. Those who don’t have it want to have it. Those who have it want to have even more of it. Unfortunately, in our pursuit of riches, we often forget to live. We forget to appreciate the little joys that make our lives worth living.

Having a lot of money is definitely a problem. It even threatens our safety and security and makes us the target of thieves. Look at the richest people. They can’t move around freely like you or I. They are always surrounded by their personal security guards and often live their entire lives in constant fear of getting attacked

To conclude, money is unlikely to make us happy, but we must still earn enough. However, in our pursuit of riches, we must not lose our souls. True happiness comes from spiritual awakening. Money has hardly anything to do with it.

CONVERSATION PHRASES: 

1. Money for me is …
2. One thing I’d like to achieve is … 
3. Money and happiness are … 
4. Money affects my behaviour … 
5. I prefer spending money on … 
6. I’m satisfied with my life because … 
7. People’s moods are most affected by … 
8. Work affects people’s moods by … 
9. Having more money makes people … 
10. Rich people should … 
11. Money is more important than anything else because … 
12. The pursuit of money has damaged …

http://profesornativogratis.com/money-and-finance/

https://www.english-learn-online.com/vocabulary/money-finance/money-finance-and-banking-vocabulary/ Word list of money, finance and banking vocabulary

Dating. Oral skills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qPlglxzt5c

Has traditional dating become a thing of the past? Look at the pictures below showing different ways of dating. In pairs, discuss which ones you prefer, which ones you wouldn’t mind trying and which ones you would never try, giving reasons to support your opinion.

• What do people commonly do on dates in your country?
• What was the worst date you’ve ever had?
• What is the `right age’ to get begin dating? Get married?
• What do you think about meeting someone through a dating agency or dating website?
• Do you think it is okay to date a co-worker?
• Jealousy: is it possible to control this emotion?
• Is society becoming more promiscuous? If so, what factors have caused this?
• What are the pros and cons of going out with an older woman (or man)?
• Should anyone pay on a date?

Useful vocabulary 

WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WELL 

• To fancy someone = To be attracted to someone 
• To fall in love with someone / to fall in love at first sight/to be in love 
• To have a crush on somebody= to like someone in a romantic sense (usually the idea is that this person is inaccessible) 
• To go out with somebody 
• To be on the same wavelength 
• To flirt (with somebody) to behave playfully towards another person who you are - or pretend to be - attracted to romantically or sexually. A flirt is a person who likes to flirt 
• Have an affair /ə`f ɛ ə/ with someone = have a secret sexual relationship with somebody 
• A steady /stedi/ relationship / a steady boy/girlfriend 
• To propose to someone= to ask somebody to marry you 
• To get engaged to / to be engaged   to / engagement (noun)= to promise to marry somebody o Fiancé(man) /fiancée (woman) /fi` ɒ nsei/ the woman or man you are engaged to get married 
• To marry someone /To be married to someone /To get married 
• Wedding/ bride/ (bride)groom/ honeymoon (to be on honeymoon)  
• To get in touch with / to be in touch with/ to lose touch
• To have a lot in common with someone to get on well with someone to become friends settle down: to give up the single life and start a family to be head over heels in love with... 

WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG 

To be unfaithful You can refer to your former girl/boyfriend, wife or husband as your “ex 

To split up/ to break up = to end a relationship to fall out with someone to dump someone“ Sadly, not all marriages last forever, either. 

Sometimes couples will separate. They don’t want to live together anymore, but they don’t want to get divorced yet. o be married to one’s work

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS:

• What is the minimum length of time you need to spend with somebody to know whether you are attracted to them? 
• What would turn you off somebody immediately? 
• Have you ever spent a whole evening on a date with somebody you didn’t like? 
• Would you ever try speed dating? 
• Would you consider dating someone you had met over the Internet?  Why or why not?

Credits: https://www.cristinacabal.com/?p=5197

The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating

Dating: Vocabulary in Context

Dating has come a long way. Prior to the late nineties, if you had a crush on a girl and school was out, you had to search through town in hopes of physically finding her. If you had her number, you could gather your guts and phone her on her family’s telephone line, but you’d have to get through her father (or mother) just to talk to her. Nowadays, teens exchange emoticon-filled messages on cell phones and social networking sites. Online, users post flattering photos (which probably conceal their major flaws) on their profile and flirt with other users on the site. It almost seems like some kids prefer communicating their emotions behind the protection of an electronic screen to talking face to face.

Speed dating has also become more commonplace. These ultra-efficient events are arranged to give bachelors and bachelorettes the opportunity to meet as many eligible candidates as possible within a specific time. These events can be massive in countries like China, where a nationally imbalanced ratio of men to women has intensified the pressure to get married by the right age. More traditional approaches, such as posting personal ads in a newspaper’s classified section, are still around as well.

Morally speaking, Western society seems to be becoming increasingly promiscuous. One-night stands and flings are becoming commonplace. 

An interesting question concerns the issue of chivalry: the custom from in the Middle Ages of treating women with honor by opening doors for them (commonly expressed by the “ladies first” mentality). Nowadays, people say chivalry is dead. That may be true, but the question remains: who killed it — men or women?

Writing practice

The table provides a breakdown of the number of vists made to various countries through four UK airports.

Overall, it is clear there is a considerable variation in the popularity of the airports for each destination. Whereas 91.000 were made from Gatwick to Canada, compared to 187.000 from Heathrow, more visits were made from Gatwick and Manchester to Spain. This is in contrast to visits made to Austria. Regarding the Irish Republic, a different pattern is seen.

In comparison, there was a smaller number of visits made to Finland with Heathrow and Manchester being more popular than Gatwick and Stansted respectively.

By contrast, the most frequently used airport for visits to Lithuania was Stansted with 33.000 followed by Gatwick with 15.000.

Writing practice

 OPINION: 

• TECHNOLOGY MAKES OUR LIVES EASIER
• TECHNOLOGY LIMITS OUR SOCIAL LIVES AND CONDITIONS OUR RELATIONSHIPS.

DISCOURSIVE: 

• PROS AND CONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS.
• ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF REMOTE EDUCATION/TEACHING.

St. Patrick´s Day 2022

https://www.linguahouse.com/es/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/saint-patrick/audioplayer/st-patricks-day-ex2

Irish Proverbs

Better the coldness of a friend than the sweetness of an enemy.
Be nice to them on the way up. You might meet them all on the way down.
Let your anger set with the sun and not rise again with it.

Whatever it may be, don’t forget to wear green on this special day!

  

Match the numbers and dates to the facts in the opposite column.      

1. 17^th March                                    a. number of spectators in a parade
2. 5^th century                                    b. Kidnapped by Irish raiders
3. aged 16                                        c. shamrock have these
4. 6 years                                         d, the Irish potato famine
5. March 17^th 461                             e, first Irish parade in New York
6. 3 leaves                                        f. St Patrick's Day
7. 18^th century Ireland                      g. St Patrick died
8. 1840's                                           h. participants in the parade
9. 1762                                             i. in captivity
10. 2 hundred thousand                     j. St Patrick was born
11. 3 million                                        k. people started wearing shamrock

                                      

Now watch the video again answer the following questions.

1.   What nationality was St Patrick?

2.   What work did he dedicate his life to?

3.   What did Patrick do according to one myth?

4.   What did this symbolise?

5.   What did Patrick use the leaves of the shamrock for?

6.   What was the result of this?

7.   Where did the tradition of parades start?

8.   What did the Irish people do during the potato famine?

Concession, contrast, and linking words

Linking devices of contrast

Meaning and use

We can use different words and phrases to highlight a contrast between two parts of a sentence. Some of these words and phrases are:

although, even though, despite, in spite of, however and but.

• Although we are the best of friends we still disagree from time to time.
• Even though we are the best of friends we still disagree from time to time.
• Despite being the best of friends we still disagree from time to time.
• In spite of being the best of friends we still disagree from time to time.
• We are the best of friends; we still disagree from time to time, however.
• We are the best of friends but we still disagree from time to time.

Form

Although / Even though

These conjunctions are used at the beginning of a clause. They introduce a contrast between two ideas, sentences or clauses.

They have similar meanings and are used in the same way. Even though highlights the contrast more strongly than although. 

• Even though I did well at the interview I didn’t get the job.
• Although I did well at the interview I didn’t get the job. 

• Even though I was really angry I tried not to show it.
• Although I was really angry I tried not to show it.

 Despite / in spite of

These are prepositions and are followed by nouns or noun phrases. They can’t be followed directly by a verb phrase. If a verb is used it must be changed to the noun form (gerund).

• Despite doing well at the interview I didn’t get the job.
• In spite of doing well at the interview I didn’t get the job.
  
  
•  Despite my being really angry I tried not to show it.
• In spite of my being really angry I tried not to show it.

A verb phrase can be used with these expressions by adding the fact after the preposition.

• Despite the fact I did well at the interview I didn’t get the job.
• In spite of the fact I did well at the interview I didn’t get the job.
  
  
•  Despite the fact I was really angry I tried not to show it.
• In spite of the fact I was really angry I tried not to show it.

However

However is an adverb. It comes after the part of the sentence that is being contrasted. It can go in different parts of the clause.

• I did well at the interview. However, I didn’t get the job.
• I did well at the interview; I didn’t, however, get the job.
• I did well at the interview; I didn’t get the job, however.

• I was really angry; however, I tried not to show it.
• I was really angry; I tried, however, not to show it.
• I was really angry. I tried not to show it, however.

But

This is a conjunction that links two parts of a sentence together. It goes before the clause that has the contrast.

• I did well at the interview but I didn’t get the job.
• I was really angry but I tried not show it.

Take note: Though and although

Though is a shortened form of although. Notice though that although we say even though, we don’t say even although.  

Take note: However at the beginning of a sentence

It is not a mistake to use however at the beginning of sentence. However, some people feel that is. If you want to avoid it, use a semi-colon after the first clause rather than a full-stop.

I did well at the interview; however, I didn’t get the job.

https://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/89.html

Although / though / even though  (need a full clause (subject + verb).

Despite /In spite of  – take a Gerund (ing form) or noun

Despite the fact that… / In spite of the fact that …. – full clause (subject + verb)

Yet / Still /However / Nevertheless – need a comma (,) and come in the middle of two clauses.

• https://www.englishgrammar.org/spite-grammar-exercise-2/
• https://es.liveworksheets.com/no1188367to
• https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/linking-words-contrast.html
• https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/in-spite-of-despite-although-even-though-and-though#:~:text=Grammar%20explanation,the%20middle%20of%20the%20sentence
• https://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=7826#a 

https://www.englishgrammar.org/spite-grammar-exercise-2/

Conjunctions of Contrast

Connectors: contrast & addition

Translate the following sentences into English: 

1.    A pesar de que no había calefacción central, la casa estaba caldeada.

2.    A pesar de haber llegado tarde dos veces la semana pasada, no me dijeron nada.

3.    A pesar de llover mucho, salí a correr ayer.

4.    No me contó la verdad. A pesar de ello, no me importó.

5.    A pesar de ser fuerte, no pudo escalar un acantilado tan escarpado.

6.    Aunque fuera rico, Mary no se casaría con él.

7.    Aunque se hubiera disculpado, John no le habría perdonado.

8.    A pesar del buen tiempo, no salí.

9.    A pesar de no seguir las instrucciones que le di, se las arregló para conseguir el trabajo.

10. A pesar de que era una persona muy simpática, apenas tenía amigos.

KEY

1   Despite the lack of central heating, the house was quite warm.

2.    In spite of being late twice last week, I wasn’t told off.

3.    Despite the heavy rain, I went jogging yesterday.

4.    He didn’t tell me the truth. I didn’t mind, though.

5.    Despite his strength, he couldn’t climb the steep cliff.

6.    Even if he were rich, Mary wouldn’t marry him.

7.    Even if she had apologised, John wouldn’t have forgiven her.

8.    In spite of the nice weather, I didn’t go out.

9.    Despite not following the instructions I gave her, she managed to get the job.

10. Despite the fact that he was a very friendly person, he had very few friends.

1. 
   
2. Some experts think the world is growing warmer, but others disagree.

While some experts think the world is growing warmer, others disagree.

2. I don't enjoy rock music, but I went to the concert anyway.

Although I don’t enjoy rock music, I went to the concert anyway.

3. Whereas prices rose last year, this year they have gone down.

Prices rose last year; however, this year they have gone down.

4. Jim had a headache, but he still read until late.

In spite of his headache, Jim still read until late.

5. Even though they were losing at half-time, City won in the end.

Despite (being) losing /the fact that they were losing, City won in the end.

6. He wants to work as a disc jockey, whether his parents like the idea or not.

He wants to work as a disc jockey, even though his parents don’t like the idea.

7. Sam lost his job because he was lazy.

Sam was lazy so he lost his job.

8. I couldn't buy the house because it was expensive.

The house was so expensive that I couldn’t buy the house.

9. The book was so interesting that I couldn't put it down.

It was such an interesting book that I couldn’t put it down.

10. There was too much noise, so we couldn't hear the speech.

There was so much noise that we couldn’t hear the speech.

11. The house was too much small to live in comfortably.

The house wasn't big enough to live in comfortably.

12. The class was cancelled because there weren't enough students.

There were so few students that the class was cancelled.

13. The mouse ran into its hole to avoid being trapped by the cat.

The mouse ran into its hole so as not to be trapped by the cat.

14. She set the timer to avoid overcooking the beans.

She set the timer in order not to overcook the beans.

15. They used chemicals in order to kill the insects in the trees.

They used chemicals so as to kill the insects in the trees.

16.   They made several complaints to the manager to prevent the same thing from happening again.

They made several complaints to the manager so that the same thing couldn’t happen again.

Answers

1. Although the watch was expensive, he bought it.
2. We went out despite / in spite of the rain.
3. We went out although / though it was raining.
4. Though / although my husband didn’t like the movie, I enjoyed it a lot.
5. He passed the test. However, he didn’t get the job.
6. Although / though he passed the test, he didn’t get the job.
7. They managed to do it though / although I was not there.
8. Tired though he was, he went on working.
9. However hard she tried, she couldn’t do it.
10. In spite of the headache, I enjoyed the movie.
11. Although I don’t agree with him, I think he is honest.
12. We understood him despite his strong accent.

 106_concessive_clauses_and_phrases

Exercises. Practice makes perfect:

Exercise 1   Exercise 2     Exercise 3     Exercise 4