Наш партнер, директор английского колледжа Mayflower Пол Стивенс, периодически присылает нам подборку интересных новостей и забавных фактов. Особенность этих писем в том, что написаны они замечательным английским языком. Читая их, вы волей-неволей включаетесь в игру, просто и ненавязчиво предложенную мистером Стивенсом, и легко и с юмором попрактикуетесь в английском.
С удовольствием делимся с вами этими письмами. Теперь мы будем публиковать их регулярно.
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So, what else has been happening in the news this week?
GOOD WEEK FOR:
- 'Squatter' secretly builds incredible (but thoroughly illegal) treehouse hidden in Canada's Whistler forest just yards from multi-million homes
It took months to find the right tree to build on, and when he did the spot was on public land looking down on a row of multi-million dollar homes.
But that didn't stop Joel Allen - he just built this incredible egg-shaped treehouse in Canada anyway, without telling anyone.
The computer technician-turned-carpenter started off by creating a scale model of his design to test its strength and durability, before beginning the months-long quest to find the perfect tree.
Read the article and see the incredible structure here
- Spanish women bussed into villages to slow population drain
A Spanish dating association is trying to slow a population drain from the country's beleaguered central villages, introducing bachelors to women bussed in from Madrid with hopes of ending a bride shortage.
Read the story here
BAD WEEK FOR:
- Shocked walker falls through pavement
A pedestrian had a lucky escape after falling down a 6m hole that opened up in the middle of a pavement.
The unsuspecting teenager had been talking on her mobile phone when she was suddenly swallowed up by the street in Xi’an, northern China.
Fortunately a passing taxi driver spotted the dramatic fall and quickly pulled over to help.
Driver Wang Wei climbed into the pit but was unable get out of the hole once he made contact with the girl as the earth beneath them continued to shift.
See the pictures and read about it here
- Mind-controlled robot for paraplegics unveiled
Those who fear the technological revolution, as a mind-controlled robot has just been unveiled.
Read about the astonishing invention here
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
“We are all worms, but I do believe that I am a glow-worm.” – Winston Churchill
FACTS OF THE WEEK:
- The most dangerous job in the United States is that of Alaskan Crab Fisherman.
- Women who read romance novels have sex twice as often as those who don’t.
- 10 percent of the Russian government’s income comes from the sale of vodka.
- 15 percent of Americans secretly bite their toes
PICTURE OF THE WEEK:
This week we’ve got a fantastic gallery and alternative and surreal visions of famous cityscapes.
See it here
And now for this week’s homework!
PORTMANTEAU WORDS
New expressions are often created by combining parts of two words. “Smog” is a combination of “Smoke” and “Fog”. A film about someone’s life is called a “biopic” (biographical picture). A “bedsit” is a room which serves as both a bedroom and sitting room. These combinations are called “portmanteau” words.
Can you explain the following?
- Swatch
- Brunch
- Motel
- Oxfam
- Hazchem
- Oxbridge
- Interpol
- Eurovision
- Chunnel
- Camcorder
- Guesstimate
- Fanzine
- Vegeburger
- Shopaholic
- ScotRail
- Ecotastrophe
- Fantabulous
- Ginormous
- Amex
- Docudrama
And this week’s riddle is a particularly difficult one!:
Climb a cliff or castle wall,
Make sure that you do not fall.
In a model of a tank or car,
This tells you just how small they are.
Have a good week and until next weekend when I will write again with more news and homework
Best wishes
Paul
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