NEW YORK: A CONEY ISLAND OF THE MIND

NEW YORK: A CONEY ISLAND OF THE MIND

Source:  www.speakup.com.br

Before do the exercise, listen to the podcast first about http://englishtips-self-taught.blogspot.com/2011/09/julianne-moore_19.html 

BEFORE You READ.

TASK 1. Speaking. With your partner(s) discuss these questions.

a) Do you look forward to time off, like weekends, holidays, etc? Why (not)?

b) What do you do to relax? Why?

c) Do you prefer active holidays or just relaxing? Why?

d) Have you ever been to an amusement park? Why (not)?

e) If so, describe it to your partner.

f) Do you think amusement parks are a good idea? Why (not)?

Task 2. Vocabulary. Match the English words/expressions on the left with their Portuguese translations on the right. If you don’t know, guess!

1	Playground		ele martela pregos na cabeça
2	amusement park		ele pendura bolas de boliche nas orelhas e as faz girar
3	Birthplace		engolidora de espadas
4	to seem		uma garotinha
5	Undergoing		números, apresentações
6	Boroughs		o show do bizarro
7	enclosing a fence …to go in		sentimentos contrastantes
8	Rollercoaster		desfile de sereias
9	having no manners		cinemas
10	frozen custard		lâmpada
11	proper ways of behavior		convidar para um encontro
12	wandering around ... in a bathing suit		passear pela praia em  trajes de banho
13	asking for a date		modos apropriados de se comportar
14	Light bulb		sorvete cremoso
15	movie theaters		sem bons modos
16	Mermaid Parade		montanha russa
17	mixed feelings		parque de diversões
18	“The Freak Show”		colocar uma cerca em torno de uma série de brinquedos (atrações) e cobrar um só ingresso de entrada
19	Acts		regiões, distritos
20	a Young Gal		lugar de nascimento
21	juggles a chainsaw		passar por
22	he hammers nails into his head		costumes, hábitos
23	fire eater		Faz malabarismos com uma motosserra
24	he hangs bowling balls ... around		parecer

Now check your ideas in the glossary. How many did you get right?

READING

TASK 3. Prediction. You are going to read a text about "Coney Island: the world's playground". Before you

read, decide which of these facts about "Coney Island" are true and why (not). Work with your partner(s).

Coney Island is famous because:

a) The rollercoaster was invented there

b) The hot dog was invented there

c) Soft ice cream was invented there

d) The light bulb was introduced to the world there

e) Movie theaters were introduced there

TASK 4. Reading for Specific information. Read the first paragraph as quickly as possible and find the answers to TASK 3. Were you correct? Check your answers with your partner(s)

TASK 5. Discussion: Which of the facts from tasks 3 and 4 surprise you the most / least? Why? Do you believe in all of it? Why (not)? Discuss these questions with your partner(s)

TASK 6. Prediction. You are going to read some more information about Coney Island. Before you read, decide how to correct these incorrect facts about "Coney Island." Work with your partner(s).

a) Coney Island has been in decline since 1958

b) Coney Island has the smallest art parade in the USA, the "Mermaid Parade," and it was started in 1980.

c) There has been some discussion on how to revive Coney Island but nothing definitive yet.

d) Coney Island has appeared in a few minor movies.

TASK 7. Reading for Specific information. Read the rest of the text as quickly as possible and find the answers to TASK6. Were you correct? Check your answers with your partner(s)

AFTER YOU READ

TASK 8. Speaking and writing.

a) Would you like to go to Coney Island? Why (not)?

b) What do you think about the "Freak Show"? Why?

c) Do you think shows with animals, children and people with physical disabilities should be banned? Why

(not)?

d) Do you think zoos and circuses should be banned? Why (not)?

e) What about amusement parks? Should they be banned? Why (not)?