Source: Engvid.com
In this lesson you will learn 10 very common English expressions used in everyday conversation. Take a quiz on the lesson to test your understanding at http://www.engvid.com/
sexta-feira, 20 de maio de 2011
Speak up in Class
JIMMY CHOO
You should check it out and listen to the podcast before do the exercise: http://englishtips-self-taught.blogspot.com/2011/05/jimmy-choo.html
Speak Up - Issue 281 - Profile – JIMMY CHOO (A2)
A – Before you start
Answer the questions with a partner.
1. When you choose shoes, are you more interested in fashion or comfort?
2. How much do you usually pay for a pair of shoes?
3. Have you ever heard of Jimmy Choo or owned a pair of his shoes?
B – Listen and answer
Read these incomplete statements. Then listen (without reading) and complete them.
1. Jimmy Choo’s workshop is in London, at number _______ Connaught Street, Paddington.
2. The prices of his hand-made shoes begin at around _______ Euros.
3. He started his business in _______.
4. Choo was born in Malaysia in _______.
5. He made his first pair of shoes for his _______.
6. He was _______ years old at the time.
7. He sold his company in _______.
6. He wears shoes with _______ heels.
C – Read and answer
Read the article and answer the questions.
1. Why do Jimmy Choo’s shoes cost so much?
2. What’s the difference between the shoes made at Jimmy Choo’s workshop in London and those sold in the Jimmy Choo boutiques around the world?
3. When did people first start noticing Choo’s shoes?
4. How did he learn his skills?
5. Why does he think his niece betrayed him?
6. What are his plans for the future.
7. Why does he wear shoes with heels when he goes out?
D – Learn it! Use it!
Complete these sentences with words from the glossary. (You may have to adapt the expression in some way; e.g. change the verb tense, or change from singular to plural.)
1. The brochure says the holiday camp ________ towels and sheets for its guests so we don’t have to take any with us.
2. Your shoes are all muddy. Take them off and put your ________ on.
3. The local car ________ is closing down soon, so over a hundred workers will lose their jobs.
4. I spent last weekend trying to fix my old computer. In the end I ________ ____ and bought a new one.
5. Your brother or sister’s daughter is your ________.
6. This vase is beautiful. Is it ________?
7. Peter has turned his garage into a ________ where he repairs clocks and watches.
8. In this week’s magazine there’s a quiz to test your ________ of English literature.
E – Ready for KET? (Paper 1, Reading and Writing: Part 6)
Read the descriptions of some words used for people’s roles or occupations. Identify the words and write the missing letters.
1. This person is learning a skill or profession from his or her employer. a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2. This person decides on the final contents of a newspaper or magazine. e _ _ _ _ _
3. This is a skilled person who makes things, often by hand. a _ _ _ _ _ _
4. This is a person who buys something or pays for a service. c _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5. This person invents and draws new styles of clothes, furniture, etc. d _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F – Check your pronunciation
One of the four words in each group has a different vowel sound. Which one?
1. tall world born taught
2. wear pair where were
3. niece price high find
4. new shoe through foot
5. survive believe agree heel
G – Talk about it
In pairs or groups.
1. Do you spend a lot of money on clothes and fashion accessories?
2. What is the highest price you would pay for shoes?
3. Where do you prefer to buy your clothes? In small boutiques? In department stores? Online?
4. What are the advantages/disadvantages of buying clothes in these three different ways?
Robert Rauschenberg, 1925-2008: His Inventive and Energetic Works Redefined Modern Art
Robert Rauschenberg, 1925-2008: His Inventive and Energetic Works Redefined Modern Art
Correction attached
I'm Steve Ember. And I'm Faith Lapidus with PEOPLE IN AMERICA in VOA Special English. Today we tell about Robert Rauschenberg. He is widely considered one of the most influential artists of the past half-century. Throughout his long career, Rauschenberg explored painting, sculpture, printmaking and even dance performance.
His inventive ideas and bold work made him a revolutionary presence in the art world. One art critic said that there has never been anything in American art to match the energy of Robert Rauschenberg's imagination.
(MUSIC)
He was born Milton Ernest Rauschenberg in nineteen twenty-five. He grew up in a Christian religious family in the small town of Port Arthur, Texas. He studied pharmacology, the science of preparing and using medicine, at the University of Texas for a short time. But he did not complete his degree. He joined the Navy during World War Two in the nineteen forties and worked in hospitals in California. It was there that he saw paintings in an art museum for the first time. Though he had no training, Rauschenberg realized then that he wanted to be an artist.
After the war, he studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute as well as in Paris, France. Rauschenberg changed his first name to Robert because he thought it sounded more like the name of an artist. During this time, Rauschenberg met the artist Susan Weil. They later were married for two years and had a son.
Rauschenberg continued his studies at Black Mountain College in North Carolina. There, he met a group of people who would help redefine modern art and performance. He became good friends with the dance choreographer Merce Cunningham and the musician John Cage. He was also influenced by his teacher, the artist Josef Albers. Rauschenberg said that Albers was an impossible person. But he said Albers taught him how to develop his own personal sense of looking. And, this teacher urged students to explore many kinds of materials to make their art.
In nineteen forty-nine, Rauschenberg moved to New York City to be part of its energetic art world. He made a series of all-white paintings. Then, he made a series of all-black paintings. He wanted to explore the way the paintings changed in different lighting conditions, or as the shadow of a viewer passed in front of the work.
By the mid nineteen fifties, Rauschenberg was making his first "combines," large works of art that were both paintings and sculptures. These experimental works broke down what usually were two very separate art forms. These works included objects such as boxes, books and radios that the artist found in the streets of New York.
The nineteen fifty-five combine called "Bed" became one of his most famous works. It includes a bed sheet, quilt and pillow covered in paint.
The thrown paint on "Bed" was similar to the work of Abstract Expressionist painters like Jackson Pollock who were active at the time. These abstract paintings were meant to show action and color instead of representing a subject matter. But Rauschenberg went beyond Abstract Expressionism by including objects from everyday life in his combines. Later, members of the Pop Art movement would further develop this inclusion of common objects. In nineteen fifty-nine, Rauschenberg made another famous combine, called "Monogram." This work includes a dead goat with a rubber tire around its middle. The work stands on a painted surface with other "found" objects like part of a shoe and a tennis ball.
Rauschenberg once said that he felt sorry for people who consider things like soap dishes, mirrors or Coke bottles to be ugly. He said these people must be very unhappy because they are surrounded by these objects all day long. Rauschenberg showed in his work that unexpected things can be beautiful if a person takes time to look.
(MUSIC)
Over the years, Robert Rauschenberg continued exploring and combining different forms of art. He developed a method of drawing in which he covered printed images and words in chemicals, then transferred them onto paper using a pencil. He also made boldly inventive lithographs that helped bring a new level of respect and attention to the art of printmaking.
In his nineteen sixty-four work called "Shade," Rauschenberg combined bookmaking, printmaking and sculpture into one artwork. He printed black and white images onto plastic sheets, which could be placed like pages into a box. A light shining through the sheets made the work into a redefined version of a book. His nineteen sixty-seven print, "Booster," was at the time the largest hand-pulled lithograph ever made. Rauschenberg's work broke down the boundaries between different artistic methods.
By the nineteen sixties, Rauschenberg had become famous in the art world. In nineteen sixty-four he became the first modern American to win the international grand prize at the Venice Biennale art show in Italy. But fame did not cause Rauschenberg to slow down his flow of new ideas. He worked on putting combinations of printed images onto large canvases using screen-printing.
He made many series of other prints, including a "Hoarfrost Series" in nineteen seventy-four. For these works, Rauschenberg printed images onto thin pieces of flowing silk and taffeta fabrics. And, in his "Cardboard Series," Rauschenberg created interesting wall sculptures using combinations of flattened paper boxes.
Robert Rauschenberg once said that he worked in a direction until he knew how to do it, then he stopped. He said that once he became bored or he understood, another question had formed.
(MUSIC)
Robert Rauschenberg strongly believed in working on projects with other artists. In the early nineteen fifties, he worked with his wife, Susan Weil. They made a series of large prints by shining a lamp over a person lying on special blueprint paper. He also designed stage sets and costumes for dance productions by Merce Cunningham and other choreographers. He exchanged ideas and worked closely with the artist Jasper Johns. And, he worked with printing experts like Tatyana Grossman in her workshop, Universal Limited Art Editions, in New York.
Rauschenberg helped start a nonprofit group called Experiments in Art and Technology with an engineer from Bell Telephone Laboratories. This group supported joint projects by artists and scientists. The idea for the organization came out of a series of nine performances held in nineteen sixty-six in New York City. At these events, engineers and artists combined art and technology in experimental performances.
And, in nineteen eighty-five, he started ROCI which stands for Rauschenberg Overseas Cultural Interchange. Its aim was to find a way to communicate with other countries through the language of art.
Rauschenberg traveled to twenty-two countries including China, Tibet, Uzbekistan, Cuba and the Soviet Union. He worked with artists in each country to create pieces of art. They were then exhibited in a museum in that country along with works made in other parts of the world. In nineteen ninety-one, the project ended at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. with an exhibit of art from each country.
Robert Rauschenberg's work has been in many major museum exhibits. These include shows at the Pompidou Center in Paris, France in nineteen eighty-one and the Guggenheim Museum in New York in nineteen ninety-seven.
In two thousand five, the Metropolitan Museum in New York opened an exhibit on Robert Rauschenberg's combines. His work was also shown at the National Gallery in Washington in two thousand seven.
Later in his career, Rauschenberg started spending more and more time at his home on Captiva Island, off the coast of Florida. There, he had a large studio in which he could work on huge projects. In two thousand two, Rauschenberg suffered a stroke that left him unable to use his right side. He learned to work with his left hand. And, with the help of assistants, he kept making art.
Robert Rauschenberg died in two thousand eight at his home in Florida. He was eighty-two years old. His inventive examples of modern art will continue to influence future generations of artists and art lovers.
(MUSIC)
This program was written and produced by Dana Demange. I'm Steve Ember. And I'm Faith Lapidus. You can see examples of Robert Rauschenberg's work at our Web site, voaspecialenglish.com. Join us again next week for PEOPLE IN AMERICA in VOA Special English.
___
Correction: This story incorrectly called Tibet, in China, a country.
10/10 Children of Israel, Palestine
Source: goooodmorningfriends
Please pass this keys for those who support for peace, freedom, human rights. Waiting for this moment when the Palestinians finally can return his home-land. Pass this for friends.
quinta-feira, 19 de maio de 2011
In Average 500 hundreds visitors a day...
English Tips' blog reached all the world continents and so far, 171 countries, the profile is based in Students, Teachers, Bloggers and readers through Google. And I've been received e-mails asking me about the purpose of English tips, and you know about my real intention...Providing a self-studying and those who visit are focusing to improve their English. I have seen on the Radar, many visitors checking out Educative websites and blogs, mostly about English. In addition the contents here come to YouTube English courses, Voanews Podcasts, SpeakUp, Elllo.org, English Exercises.org, amongst others. However, I have no words to thank you, unless GRATITUDE. I want to thank you for all of Bloggers from Brazil and in several countries I'm not mentioned because I don't want to forget anyone. Everyone is special. Without mention the number of friends who support my blog on the Social Networking Sites, on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon have been promoted as much as they can, thank you very much. I love you all, I think we can do a better world, we can both support for FREEDOM and PEACE. Do not forget to leave your comment here...you are the most important, and telling for friends about English Tips. Have a wonderful day for my friends in Asia, Phillipines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and the list goes on, and at least from Europe, Central America, North America, Brazil, South Africa and so on. See you tomorrow, friends.
Speakup in Class, Paolo Lutini
I'm blogging again about Paolo Lutini and after you listen to the podcast there is an exercise from Speakup in Class, any question, please get in touch through www.speakup.com.br or e-mail me carlosrn36@gmail.com
Paolo Nutini, The New Scottish Star
Source: Speak Up
Standard accents: British and Scottish
The New Scottish Star
Everything about Paolo Nutini is impossible. His name is Italian, but he’s Scottish. He has the looks of a teenage pop star, but sings like a 1960s soul man. His record company told him to change his name, if he wanted success, but he refused. Last year he released a debut album, These Streets, which was a hit, and he is currently in the middle of a sell-out tour of the United States. The magazine Rolling Stone named him one of its “Ten Artists to Watch.”
“In my head i see a vineyard in Italy. I’ll build a recording studio there. That’s the plan…though I’ll have to return to Scotland now and then, just to keep my sanity.” If his voice doesn’t pay for that vineyard, his looks will: he has signed a contract with prestigious London agency Storm Models.
Speak up in Class
PAOLO NUTINI (C2)
TASK 1. Speaking. With your partner(s) discuss these questions.
a) What kind of music do you like? Why?
b) What kind of music do you hate? Why?
c) How often do you buy CDs, or iTunes? Why?
d) Do you think downloading music for free is morally unacceptable? Why (not)?
e) Do you know Paolo Nutini? If so, do you like his music? Why (not)?
TASK 2. Prediction. You are going to listen to an interview with Paolo Nutini. Before you listen, discuss these questions with your partner, and make some notes. If you don’t know/aren’t sure, guess!
a) How old is Paolo Nutini, under or over 30?
b) Where is he from, and what is his connection (if any) with Italy?
c) Since when has he been interested in music?
d) Did his career start on television, on the radio or at a live concert?
e) What is Paolo’s ambition for the future?
TASK 4. Prediction #2. Before you listen to all of recording again, work with your partner and decide if these statements are TRUE or FALSE. If you don’t know, guess.
a) Paolo’s first album came out in 2007.
b) His family own a pizzeria in Glasgow.
c) His grandfather loved music and beautiful women.
d) If David Sneddon hadn’t been late for the civic reception, Paolo wouldn’t have been discovered.
e) Paolo was chosen randomly from 300 people to sing.
TASK 5: Listening for Detailed Information: Listen to the whole recording and check your answers from TASK 4. How many were correct?
READING AND VOCABULARY
TASK 6. Reading for New Vocabulary. There are some interesting words and phrases in this recording. Read all of text carefully and find words/expressions to compete these sentences. The words/expressions are order.
a) Prince William was recently in Australia on an official tour representing the British monarchy, taking the place of his grandmother, Queen Elisabeth II. He was the _________ __ _______ at numerous events, including a barbeque lunch in Flowerdale.
c) I always thought that Benetton was a big company ________ by a board of managers and directors until I found a website which listed the biggest family ________ companies in the world, and Benetton was one of them! (same word used twice)
d) One of my friends seems to think that Paolo Nutini was born and raised in Italy,
but ______ _________ __________ , he was born in Scotland and is of Italian descent. I could be wrong, though.
e) My husband and I normally like to plan our free time and tend to book things like concerts, restaurants and hotels well in advance. This year, though, we were sitting at home watching television when we heard that there was a free concert which had just started in Jardim Botânico starting half. We decided to go _____ _______ ________ ____ ____ _________. I’m glad we did because it was great.
f) “How is your new project going?” “Well, to tell you the truth, we haven’t really started yet. We’ve got the deigns, we’ve got the financing, and we really want to ____ ___ ____ ______ but we’re being held back by bureaucracy: we’re still waiting for that last piece of paper!
WEBQUEST
TASK 7. Writing. Visit this website and write a brief biography of someone famous. You could devise a quiz and and test your classmates!
ALASKA’S DENALI NATIONAL PARK
ALASKA’S DENALI NATIONAL PARKALASKA’S DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Source: www.speakup.com.br
Language level: Pre-intermediate
Speaker: Chuck Rolando
Standard accent: American
Would you like to escape the modern world? Alaska’s Denali National Park offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience nature in true solitude. They can see the spectacular mountains of the Alaska Range, dramatic glaciers and wildlife. The park is 240 miles (390 kilometres) north of Anchorage and 140 miles (230 kilometres) south of Fairbanks: the two nearest international airports.
SPRING IS HERE
In April the park is waking up from its long winter Grizzly bears emerge after months of hibernation. Wolves hunt in packs across the snow. Dall sheep eat grass on the mountain side. Migratory birds, including eagles and swans, are returning. Snow ploughs clear the park’s only road, the Denali Park Road. This runs 90 miles (148 kms) into the park. Private vehicles can, however, only reach Savage River, 15 miles (24 kilometres) from the entrance. After this point, the road becomes a dirt track and visitors must travel in the park’s special buses.
IN THE AIR
The buses take visitors deep into the park. Day excursions visit Polychrome Pass with is multi-colored cliffs. Wonder Lake at the foot of Mount McKinley. America’s highest mountain, and the old mining town Kantishna. Mount McKinley is often impossible to see because of clouds.
Perhaps the best way to see the Denali Park is from the air. Flight companies like K2 Aviation, take visitors above the clouds to see stunning views across the glaciers and mountain tops. It is also possible to land on the glaciers with ski planes.
DANGER!
The park offers cycling, hiking, camping, mountaineering and white-water rafting. Visitors are also free to explore the park alone. But Denali National Park is vast and the dangers are real. There are hungry bears, moose and wolves. The streams and lakes are freezing, and the temperature can change suddenly. Snow is common throughout the year. Finally, are you afraid of heights? The Denali Park Road goes high into the mountains, where the track becomes very narrow. Passengers suddenly see down into valleys over a thousand metros bellow!
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PARK no audio
The region was the home of Native Americans called the Athpaskan (or Athabaskan) for about 12.000 years. Denall means “the high one” in the native Athapaskan language, and it was their name for Mount McKinley. Modern settlers first came to the region at beginning of the 20th century. Gold was discovered raced to claim the land. It is still possible to panhandle for gold in the park’s streams and lakes. Naturalist Charles Alexander Sheldon studied Denali’s Dall sheep. The existence of these sheep became difficult as more and more people come to the region. So Sheldon petitioned government to create a preserve for the sheep. The Mount McKinley National Park was formed on February 25, 1917. This park was extended and renamed the Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980.
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