This week we formally wrap up our summer school, and bid farewell to our groups of junior students. It’s been a tremendously successful season, very busy, and a whole lot of fun! We’re looking forward to doing it all again next year… after a break to get our energy back!
So, let’s take a look at some of the more peculiar things that have been happening in the news this week:
GOOD WEEK FOR:
A climber in the UK who has just scaled what was considered to be an “unclimbable” cliff in Pembrokeshire, England – all without any ropes. Read the story here:
Rich people with money to spend who like water parks, as a new mansion has gone on sale with its very own waterworld in the back garden. Read the story here:
BAD WEEK FOR:
A man who had pains in his stomach – and was then amazed when surgeons found a plastic fork in there that he had swallowed a decade ago! Read the story here:
Lazy people who love technology, as scientists are working on a new smartphone app that will be able to drive your car for you. Read all about it here:
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:
"If you don’t know how to live, why wonder about death?" - Confucius
FACTS OF THE WEEK:
The only member of the rock band ZZ Top without a beard has the last name Beard
Early Romans used to use porcupine quills as toothpicks
Sound travels 4 times faster in water than in air
The game of chess originated in India
VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
This week we’ve got a really interesting set of pictures showing something you don’t normally see: the perspective of the floor! See them here:
HOMEWORK
OK, here are the answers to last week’s homework about Time:
I had to go to the doctor about her eyes. I SPEND at least 6 hours a day in front of the computer.
If you want to get to College quicker, SAVE time: don't drive, buy a bike!
I don't get home till 10 o'clock every night, so I VALUE the free time I have at weekends.
Olga, if you're thinking of going to see the new James Bond film, don't bother. It's a WASTE of time.
Can you SPARE a minute of two, Olga? I just want to ask you something.
I'm sorry I can't MAKE the time right now. I've got a plane to catch.
I work long hours so the time I spend with my family is very PRECIOUS to me.
I hate airports. You WASTE so much time just queuing.
I think we should hurry up. We're SHORT OF time.
There's PLENTY of time. Don't worry, the train doesn't leave for an hour.
I'm sorry, Olga. There's no way I can SPARE the time to see you before the end of the week.
Sorry I wasn't able to get that book for you Olga; I just RAN OUT OF time.
And the easy riddle
A classy place to which one goes, Where one must be a member. With this a caveman thumps his foes, Before they, he dismembers.
The answer is of course CLUB.
This week's homework is about "News Events"
PART A
Choose the more suitable word for each sentence:
The two men, DISGUISED / TRANSFORMED, as security guards, overpowered staff at the bank and escaped with £150,000.
The pilot was the ONE / SOLE survivor of the crash.
The fire EXTENSIVELY / WIDELY damaged the 500-year building.
Greeting's father was taken to the Plymouth Hospital where his condition was described as CRITICAL / PERILOUS.
The CAUSE / REASON of the accident is not known.
A woman and a man were later DETAINED / ARRESTED for questioning.
The findings / results of the committee are due for publication this week.
The government has argued that the problem must be REMOVED / TACKLED at once.
Greeting is an AUTHORITARIAN / EXPERT on pollution.
A police spokesman admitted that there were BAFFLED / UPSET by Greeting's disappearance, but were hoping to come up with an explanation.
PART B
Complete the following sentences with one of the following words:
CONDITIONS
EVIDENCE
KNOWLEDGE
PLACE
RESPONSIBILITY
CONFIDENCE
INCIDENT
OPINION
PROSPECT
VERGE
With Wayne Rooney out injured, there is little ????? of Manchester United reaching the next round of the Champions League
After heavy rain, ????? during the race were hazardous
It is common ????? that Ronaldo intends to retire at the end of the season.
Two French and two English forwards were involved in an ugly ????? just before half-time.
Serena Wiliams easily secured her ????? in the next round with a confident display of power tennis.
The final day begins with the English team on the ????? of victory.
Whether Pele was offside is a matter of ?????, in my view.
I have every ????? that Olga is the person to lead us to victory.
There is no concrete ????? that anyone in the team has taken drugs.
The club has disclaimed ????? for the incident, blaming it on supporters from Liverpool.
And your riddle for this week is:
On a stalk at harvest time, The treasure that the farmers mine. In the beach it makes the sand, Slip out slowly from your hand.
Have a relaxing weekend and I look forward to writing to you again next week.
