terça-feira, 28 de julho de 2009

OUTRA LIÇÃO PARA NIVEL MÉDIO

AK 47

Para imprimir e praticar
A: Vocabulary

Match these words with their meanings.
( )inventor, ( )terrorists, ( ) design, ( ) invent, ( ) proud, ( )guerrillas


1. verb: to plan and make a drawing of something so it can be built or made

2. verb: to make or think of something for the first time

3. noun: a person who makes or thinks of something new

4. noun: people who hurt, frighten or kill others so that the government of the country will do what they want

5. noun: people who fight secretly usually against the army of a country or its government

6. adjective: to feel pleased or good about something you have done


Reading Activities


A: Word Order
Look at the questions below and put the words into the correct order.


1. the / is / inventor / Who / ?

2. and / did / he / What / design / invent / ?

3. use / do / terrorists / What / and / guerrillas / ?

4. of / What / he / is / proud / ?


B: Questions


Now answer the questions from A: Word Order above.


BERLIN Monday July 29 (Reuters) - Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of the rifle AK-47, said Saturday he was proud of developing the rifle but wishes he'd designed something to help people instead -- like a lawnmower. "I would have preferred to invent something which helps people and makes life easier for farmers. A lawnmower, for example," the 82-year-old general told Bild newspaper.
The Kalashnikov can fire 400 rounds per minute and is light and easy to maintain. Guerrillas around the world use the Kalashnikov but its inventor does not feel sorry that he invented it. "I am proud of it. And sad, too, that the weapon is used by terrorists," said Kalashnikov
Kalashnikov is said to have thought of the idea for the submachine gun while he was in hospital recovering from shell-shock in 1941. The Kalashnikov went into production in 1947 and the Russian army started using the gun in 1949. About 100 million AK-47s have been built.
Although the AK-47 has been very successful, Kalashnikov has never earned any money from his invention. He said that all the money that the gun earned "went to the state."Words:maintain - to keep something working well state - a country and its government
Article © 2002 Reuters Limited. Lesson © 2002 www.english-to-go.com

C: Reading for Detail


Read the lines below and choose the best answers:


"Guerrillas around the world use the Kalashnikov but its inventor does not feel sorry that he invented it."
1. inventor means... a. the AK-47 b. Mikhail Kalashnikov c. a soldier


2. he means... a. the AK-47 b. Mikhail Kalashnikov c. a soldier


"...he was proud of developing the rifle but wishes he'd designed something to help people instead -- like a lawnmower."[


3. This part of the article means... a. Kalashnikov wishes he had invented a lawnmower, not the AK-47. b. Kalashnikov wishes he hadn't invented a lawnmower. c. Kakashnikov likes guns more than lawnmowers.




"...Although the AK-47 has been very successful, Kalashnikov has never earned any money from his invention."
4. This sentence means... a. the rifle is very popular and Kalashnikov has got lots of money because he invented it.

b. the rifle is very popular and people have bought lots of them from Kalashnikov.

c. the rifle is very popular, but Kalashnikov has not got any money from his invention.




D: Gapfill
Look at the article below and fill in the gaps with the words below. Don't look back at the article.
the (x4), of, a, can, and (x2), but, in (x2), from (x2)


Kalashnikov Wishes He'd Invented a Lawnmower


BERLIN Monday July 29 (Reuters) -

Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of 1.______ rifle AK-47, said Saturday he was proud 2.______ developing 3.______ rifle but wishes he'd designed something to help people instead -- like 4.______ lawnmower. "I would have preferred to invent something which helps people and makes life easier for farmers. A lawnmower, for example," the 82-year-old general told Bild newspaper.
The Kalashnikov 5.______ fire 400 rounds per minute 6.______ is light 7.______ easy to maintain. Guerrillas around the world use the Kalashnikov 8.______ its inventor does not feel sorry that he invented it. "I am proud of it. And sad, too, that 9.______ weapon is used by terrorists," said Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov is said to have thought of the idea for 10.______ submachine gun while he was in hospital recovering 11.______ shell-shock in 1941. The Kalashnikov went into production 12.______ 1947 and the Russian army started using the gun 13.______ 1949. About 100 million AK-47s have been built.
Despite the success of the AK-47, Kalashnikov has never earned any money 14.______ his invention. He said that all the money that the gun earned "went to the state."
Article © 2002 Reuters Limited. Lesson © 2002 http://www.english-to-go.com/


A: Language
In today's article there are these words: "... [he] wishes he'd designed something to help people instead -- like a lawnmower."We use the pattern wish + had (done) to mean that we are sorry that something didn't happen. (In the sentence from the article Kalashnikov is sorry that he didn't invent the lawnmower.)


Here are some other examples:

a. You ate some fish for dinner. Now you feel sick.I wish I hadn't eaten that fish.

b. Your teacher gives you a test. You didn't study for it last night. You look at the test and see that it is very difficult.I wish I had studied for the test.


Look at the situations below. Put the words in the mixed sentences into the correct order to make sentences with I wish.... The first one is done for you as an example.


1. I forgot to bring my umbrella and now it is raining.

my / umbrella / had / I / wish / I / brought Answer: I wish I had brought my umbrella.


2. It rained when we were on holiday. I / it / hadn't / wish / rained


3. I didn't study very hard when I was younger. younger / wish / I / had / studied / harder / when / I / was / I

4. A job was offered to me but I didn't take it. Now I think it was a good job. I / I / taken / job / wish / had / that

5. I spent $500 on a new dress. Now I don't like it. that / dress / I / bought / wish / I / hadn't

ANSWER KEY

Pre-Reading Activities
A: Vocabulary - Answers
1. design; 2. invent; 3. inventor; 4. terrorists; 5. guerrillas; 6. proud.

A: Word Order - Answers
1. Who is the inventor? 2. What did he design and invent? 3. What do terrorist and guerillas use? 4. What is he proud of?

B: Questions - Answers
1. Mikhail Kalashnikov 2. the AK-47 rifle 3. the AK-47 4. developing the AK-47

C: Reading for Detail - Answers
1. b; 2. b; 3. a; 4. c; 5. b.

D: Gapfill - Answers
1. the; 2. of; 3. the; 4. a; 5. can; 6. and; 7. and; 8. but; 9. the; 10. the; 11. from; 12. in; 13. in; 14. from.

Post-Reading Activities

A: Language - Answers 2. I wish it hadn't rained. 3. I wish I had studied harder when I was younger. 4. I wish I had taken that job. 5. I wish I hadn't bought that dress.

sábado, 2 de maio de 2009

Exercício V - Contexto e Contraste

1. Johnny was besotted in not checking the depth of the water before he jumped in, but it was a good thing that his father was wise and checked it first.
The word besotted in this sentence means
decent - unaware
foolish - incomplete

2. Brad made a cursory effort to finish his homework. This was unlike him; usually he worked hard to finish before dinner.
The word cursory in this sentence means
insincere - genuine
valid - actual

3. I thought the painting of the waves crashing into the shore was very picturesque, but I thought the one next to it was quite ugly.
The word picturesque in this sentence means
attractive - large
colorful - soothing

4. The omnipotent superhero always won his battles, unlike his weak opponents.
The word omnipotent in this sentence means
almighty - weak
powerless - great

5. After being ill and unable to eat for three days, Beverly had a voracious appetite.
The word voracious in this sentence means
satisfied - quenched
small - big

6. We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do.
The word apathetic in this sentence means
gracious - angry
uninterested - sleepy

sábado, 25 de abril de 2009

Exercício IV - Contexto e Comparação

1.The girls languidly put on their jackets as if they had no energy at all. The word languidly in this sentence means
energetically - quickly
energy - less actively

2. The mother was determined to prove her son's innocence; the father was resolute as well.The word resolute in this sentence means
wavering - determined
not determined - unsure

3. Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly. The word perplexed in this sentence means
troubled or confused - at ease
calm - relaxed

4. After being unable to get a good night's sleep for many days, Allyson became lethargic. She didn't have the energy to get out of bed. The word lethargic in this sentence means
active - bubbly
exhausted - lively

5. Instead of climbing into bed, she decided to take a nap on the chaise. The word chaise in this sentence means
sleeping bag - bed-like furniture
chair - floor

6. The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream. The word unsubstantial in this sentence means
realistic - true
unreal - unlike

domingo, 19 de abril de 2009

Exercício III - Contexto e Sinonimos

1. The book of logic contained many conundrums - mind-exercising puzzles.
The word conundrums in this sentence means
pictures - stories
answers - puzzles

2. Jackie was filled with mortification, or shame, because of her careless remark.
The word mortification in this sentence means
proud - shame
confident - happy

3. His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live his life as a lonely person.
The word rancor in this sentence means
love - generous
tolerance - hatred

4. The events for the conference were listed in chronological order. They began with the first event of the day and ended with the closing ceremonies in the evening.
The word chronological in this sentence means
out of order - broken
messed up - in order

5. There was crazy pandemonium as people were trying to leave the rock concert.
The word pandemonium in this sentence means
silence - craziness or chaos
order - peace

6. The man was sent to the penitentiary, or prison, for stealing cars.
The word penitentiary in this sentence means
paradise - hotel
prison - heaven

SKIMMING OR READING FOR GIST - Leitura rápida que tem por finalidade checar o sentido geral do texto

The frog sat on the side of the pond. He was very still. His green color made him hard to see. A bug flew near him. His tongue zipped out, and he gobbled it up. Then the frog was still again. He waited for the next bug.The main idea in this passage is:

Frogs are green.

Frogs eat bugs.

Frogs do not move.

Frogs live in ponds.


2. It was backward day at school. The students had to do things backward. Some of them wore their T-shirts backward. They took a test before they studied the lesson! Dessert was served first instead of last. They tried to walk home backward, but they bumped into each other and fell down.The main idea in this passage is:

Dessert is supposed to come last.

The students had a backward day.

It is hard to do things backward.

Students failed their tests.


3. Jon held the ball in his hands. He bounced it slowly on the ground. Once. Twice. He crouched low and then jumped. The ball flew into the air. Up, up, up, it went. Then down, down, down, into the basket. "Yes!" he yelled. "Nothing but net!"The main idea in this passage is:

How to throw a basketball.

Jon could jump.

Jon liked basketball.

Jon makes a basket.

quinta-feira, 16 de abril de 2009

Exercicio II - Contexto e Explicação

1. Katie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong.
The word infallible in this sentence means
never wrong - mistaken
wrong - incorrect

2. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing.
The word annihilated in this sentence means
destroyed - saved
created - constructed

3. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.
The word putrid in this sentence means
ample - alive
rotten - appealing

4. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race.
The word elated in this sentence means
sick - miserable
tired - happy

5. The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.
The word insidious in this sentence means
strong - loud
clumsy - sneaky

6. The voters were so upset about the outcome of the election that a skirmish broke out and the police had to break it up.
The word skirmish in this sentence means
fight - sunshine
hurricane - creature

Uma lição para nível médio

A CAR OF THE FUTURE



Pre-Reading Activities
A: Short Discussion
Answer these questions with a partner:
What kind of vehicle do you think you will be driving in 2010?
How different do you think it will be from present-day cars?
(You could think about design, engine and speed.)


Reading Activities
A: Comprehension
Read the questions and look for the answers in the article. (Note: Today's article is divided into different sections.)
1. What is the name of the aviation company who will test the car?2. What is special about the car?3. What is the name of the car?4. When will the car have its first test journey?


Company Plans To Test 'Flying Car'
Wednesday May 26 LONDON (Reuters) - A U.S. aviation company is planning to test a revolutionary new ``flying car'' that will hover above the ground and could change the way people travel in the future.
Moller International, of California, plans to take the so-called Skycar on its maiden journey in the next few weeks and could reveal it to the press by the end of the year, New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.


5. How many people will it seat? 6. How many miles per liter of gas will it do?7. What will its highest speed be?

The Batmobile shaped vehicle will seat four people, do about five miles per liter of gas, have a top speed of over 370 miles per hour and will take off and land vertically.


8. How high will it fly on its first flight?9. How long will it hover before it lands on its first flight?10. How will later flights be different?11. In the future who will be able to fly one of the Skycars?

"On its first flight, the Skycar will rise to a height of two meters (six feet) or so, hover for one minute and then land, just like a Harrier jump jet," the magazine said.
"Later flights will be more ambitious. Once the aircraft receives a license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anyone with a pilot's license will be able to fly one in the U.S.," it said.


12. Who thought of the idea?13. How much will this Skycar cost?14. How long has he been working on this project for?15. The design is still not perfect. But how much could the car cost in the future?16. In the future who or what will actually fly the car?

The vehicle, which will be hand-built and cost about $1 million, is the brainchild of Paul Moller, who founded the company. He has been working on the project for 30 years.
Once the design is perfected and mass produced, Moller estimates it could cost about $60,000.
"The first Skycars will be fly-by-wire vehicles. In other words, while the pilot tells the craft what to do, a computer will actually do the flying, taking the vehicle's rate of turn, and altitude into account when it responds to instructions," the magazine said.
Article © 1999 Reuters Limited. Lesson ©2001 http://www.english-to-go.com/


B: Matching words and meanings
Find these words in the article and then match them with their meanings:
Words Meanings
hover goes straight up in the air
brainchild to stay in the air in one place
mass produced first
maiden idea or invention
vertically built by someone without using factory machines
hand-built to make large numbers of something using machines

C: Check what you know
These sentences have information from the article. Put the words in the right order without looking back at the article.
1. a / American / an / car / company / few / in / new / next / test / the / weeks / will
2. car / four / people / seat / the / will
3. 370 / be / hour / its / miles / more / per / speed / than / top / will
4. and / will / it / land / off / take / vertically
5. $60 000 / about / cost / could / future / in / it / the
6. a / actually / car / computer / fly / the / will


D: Language
Look at the following excerpts from today's article. What word is used in the future form?


- On its first flight, the Skycar will rise to a height of two meters (six feet).
- The first Skycars will be fly-by-wire vehicles.
Do you know when to use will or going to to talk about something happening in the future? Most often will is used (see above). We use (be) going to when a circumstance reveals something that is going to happen in the future:
- "Look! The Skycar driver has started the engine. He's going to fly it."
- It's not a good day to fly. It's going to rain.


Complete the following dialogue between Paul Moller and one of his colleagues at Moller International, Gavin Spencer. Fill in the gaps with either will or (be) going to.


(In the lunch room) Spencer: Would you like some more coffee, Mr Moller? Moller: Thanks, Gavin...Oh, be careful, you 1. _______________ spill it. Spencer: Sorry sir.....Mr Moller, can I ask you a question? The Skycar seems simple to fly but I'm a little concerned about something. Do you think it 2. _______________ be safe to fly? Moller: Of course. Now pass the salt, please. Spencer: Mr Moller, you shouldn't put so much salt on your food. You 3. _______________ have high blood pressure...Can I ask you another question? Do you really think the Skycar 4. _______________ cost only $60,000? I think it will cost more than that, sir. Moller: Gavin, it all depends on how many Skycars we can mass produce. The more we produce, the less each car 5. _______________ cost. Spencer: Wow. I could talk to you all day about work, Mr Moller. Moller: That's nice, Gavin, but it's 12:59. You 6. _______________ to be late. Spencer: Yes. Good-bye, sir.


Post-Reading ActivitiesYou may do one or more of these.


A: Share your Opinion
Answer these questions with a partner:
1. Paul Moller has been working on this project for 30 years. Would you be able to work for such a long time on a single project?
2. If you were married and your husband or wife was a researcher, would you support them in a project like this one?


B: Roleplay
Work in pairs.
Student A: The year is 2004. You are a salesperson representing a company that has just invented a flying car. Student B is someone who is wealthy but only spends money very carefully. Persuade Student B to buy one of the cars.
Using the information from today's article, make sure you know
its top speed
how many people it seats
how it takes off and lands
who can fly it
how much it costs


Student B: The year is 2004. You want to buy a car and you are interested in the new flying car. Student A is a salesperson, representing the flying car. (You are wealthy but you will only spend your money if you think the car is suitable for you.)
You could ask Student A about
the car's top speed
how many people it seats
how it takes off and lands
who can fly it
how much it costs


C: Answering Questions
You are Paul Moller, the inventor of the plane. A reporter has faxed you some questions. Answer these questions using information from the article and your own ideas.
1. What will you do if the test flight is not successful?Your answer: _____________________________________
2. How will you feel if the test flight is successful?Your answer: _____________________________________
3. Will anyone be able to fly the car in America?Your answer: _____________________________________
4. How much will the handbuilt car cost?Your answer: _____________________________________
5. If I want to buy a production-line car, how much will it cost?Your answer: _____________________________________
6. What will you do when the car is finished?Your answer: _____________________________________


D: Additional Reading
Read the complete article and find more information about the design of the car. After you finish reading, tell someone else what you have learnt.


Company Plans To Test 'Flying Car'
LONDON Wednesday May 26 (Reuters) - A U.S. aviation company is planning to test a revolutionary new ``flying car'' that will hover above the ground and could change the way people travel in the future.
Moller International, of California, plans to take the so-called Skycar on its maiden journey in the next few weeks and could reveal it to the press by the end of the year, New Scientist magazine said Wednesday.
The Batmobile shaped vehicle will seat four people, do about five miles per liter of gas, have a top speed of over 370 miles per hour and will take off and land vertically.
``On its first flight, the Skycar will rise to a height of two meters (six feet) or so, hover for one minute and then land, just like a Harrier jump jet,'' the magazine said.
``Later flights will be more ambitious. Once the aircraft receives a license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) anyone with a pilot's license will be able to fly one in the U.S.,'' it said.
The vehicle, which will be hand-built and cost about $1 million, is the brainchild of Paul Moller, who founded the company. He has been working on the project for 30 years.
The car uses two rotary engines and fans placed inside streamlined housings known as nacelles. The fans inside the nacelles create an airflow that generates thrust. Each four-passenger Skycar will have four nacelles to provide the power.
``At the rear of each nacelle is a set of vanes that can be angled downwards to generate lift as well as forward thrust,'' the magazine said.
Once the design is perfected and mass produced, Moller estimates it could cost about $60,000.
``The first Skycars will be fly-by-wire vehicles. In other words, while the pilot tells the craft what to do, a computer will actually do the flying, taking the vehicle's rate of turn, and altitude into account when it responds to instructions,'' the magazine said.
Article © 1999 Reuters Limited. Lesson ©2001 http://www.english-to-go.com/


TEACHERS' NOTES AND ANSWER KEY
Reading Activities
A: Comprehension - Notes
Students should read the questions and then look for the answers. They should be discouraged from using dictionaries as most questions avoid any difficult words. (Activity B introduces them to some of the difficult words in the article.) You may, however, like to pre-teach the word 'hover', and also the word 'ambitious'.


A: Comprehension - Answers
Moller International
it flies
the Skycar
in the next few weeks
four people
five miles
370 miles per hour
two meters (six feet)
one minute
They will be more ambitious.
anyone with a pilot's license.
Paul Moller
$1 million
30 years
$60 000
a computer


B: Matching words and meanings - Answers
hover-to stay in the air in one placebrainchild-idea or inventionmass produced-to make large numbers of something using machinesmaiden-firstvertically-goes straight up in the airhand-built-built by someone without using factory machines


C: Check what you know- Answers
An American aviation company will test a new car in the next few weeks.
The car will seat four people.
Its top speed will be more than 370 miles per hour.
It will take off and land vertically.
It could cost about US$60 000 in the future.
A computer will actually fly the plane.


D: Language - Answers
1. are going to 2. will 3. are going to 4. will 5. will 6. are going to

Post-Reading Activities
B: Roleplay - Notes
Before beginning the activity you may like to have a quick discussion on what transport in the year 2004 will be like. Will things have changed or will they be the same as today?
This activity could also be set in the present with salespeople trying to sell the expensive $1 million car to a wealthy person.


C: Answering Questions - Notes
Students use information from the article and their own imagination to answer these questions. After completing the sentences they could work in pairs to conduct an interview.
C: Answering Questions - Answers
We'll do more work on the car and then we'll test it again.
I'll be very happy! I've been working on this project for more than 30 years!
No, only people who have pilots' licenses.
It's expensive! 1 million dollars.
It will cost about $60 000.
I'll take a holiday.
D: Additional Reading- Notes
Students have an opportunity to reread the article including two paragraphs which were left out in the lesson. These focus on the design of the car.
You may decide to look at some other difficult words from the article.