lunes, 9 de diciembre de 2013

UNIT 10. NO TECHNOLOGY? NO WAY!


NO TECHNOLOGY? NO WAY!

Although many people blame technology for destroying nature and causing pollution, and say that it is the worst evil in the world , I still believe that it has greatly changed our lives for the better as we hardly imagine what would happen if we went for a day without technology.

Technology is very popular in our daily life thanks to its advantages. As we know, firstly, technology in household helps people do the housework. For example, housewives do not need to wash manually, but they can use washing machine.

Another reason why I advocate the viewpoint that technology has made the world a better place to live is that it makes the world smaller. Nowadays people can travel faster and easier to other places by car, bus and air-plane, and see many new interesting things around the world. In addition, they communicate with people in different countries through the Internet and phones, which saves them lots of time and money.

But the most worthwhile benefit technology has brought to us is that it makes us healthier and happier. Clear progress in medicine, use new technologies to diagnose and combat diseases make therapy more effective. It allows us to cure serious diseases such as cancer and cardiopathy.



VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 10
  1. SONIC: of, involving, or producing sound
  2. ANNOYING:to disturb or bother (a person) in a way that displeases
  3. RETALIATORY: to return like for like, especially evil for evil
  4. VIGILANTE:any person who takes the law into his or her own hands
  5. JOLTED: to bring to a desired state sharply or abruptly:
  6. SHATTERED: to damage, as by breaking or crushing:
  7. TOWED: something, as a boat or truck, that tows.
  8. WAIL: to utter a prolonged, inarticulate
  9. SIREN:an acoustical instrument for producing musical tones
  10. BANNED: to prohibit, forbid, or bar
  11. PROMPTED: ready in action; quick to act as occasion demands.
  12. VIBRATIONS: the state of being vibrated.
  13. STARTLING: creating sudden alarm, surprise, or wonder; astonishing.
  14. JOLTS: push or shake (someone or something) abruptly and roughly
  15. DEFECTIVE: characterized by subnormal intelligence or behavior.
  16. LOUD: having exceptional volume or intensity
  17. PAY A FINE:a sum of money paid as the settlement of a claim
  18. OFFENSE: a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.
  19. AWFUL: extremely bad; unpleasant; ugly: awful paintings; an awful job.
  20. SHRILL: betraying some strong emotion or attitude in an exaggerated amount, as antagonism ordefensiveness.

GRAMMAR: FUTURE PERFECT AND FUTURE PROGRESSIVE

They are used to talk about event in the future

future perfect example:
By the monday I will have done my homewoks
                                                   
                                                      Future Progressive example: 
                                                      The next year, she will be studying Portuguesse
More information at this video below:


UNIT 9: FINDING A NICHE: THE CHALLENGE FOR YOUNG IMMIGRANTS

AMERICAN DREAM: WHAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FACE CROSSING THE BORDERS.


An American ideal of a happy and successful life. A life of personal happiness and material comfort as traditionally sought by individuals in the U.S. It seems United States as a land of opportunities, abundance and as a perfect destiny. But sometimes it is a hard reality for the people that wanted so much to reach this dream and they had passed a several terrible experiences that in cases had changed their lives forever.

Illegal people go to the United States to take jobs that offer them greater opportunity, and they are often welcomed by U.S. employers who are able to hire them for wages lower than they would have to pay to hire U.S. workers. also crossing the borders many illegal immigrants face extremely dangerous situations elsewhere along the journey, particularly when riding freight trains. kidnapping, murder, and rape at the hands of violent drug cartels and ever more ruthless human smugglers.

VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 9


  1. Unique: special; individual
  2. Native Tongue: first language
  3. Flourishing: growing and developing well
  4. mainstream: the common way of thinking or acting
  5. Tight-knit: close; connected
  6. Assimilate: adapt and adjust
  7. Suppressed: not allowed to express
  8. Relieved: happy that you dont have to worry about something
  9. Bone up on: review; study again
  10. Intimidating: frightening
  11. Uprooted: removed from; torn from
  12. Set apart: make someone or something different
  13. Niche: a position particularly suitable for a person occupaying it.

GRAMMAR: PRESENT AND PAST-CONTRASTING VERB TENSES





https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01/

UNIT 8: GOODBYE TO THE SIT-DOWN MEAL

Food Trends in Costa Rica 


Trends really do affect our lifestyles; we may not know it, but it’s true. Anywhere from our living room décor or how we chose our school supplies. It seems to me we all must all have what other people have. Well at least from afar that’s what I’ve noticed. What if just for one year we were secluded from one another. Still able to communicate, but not able to see each others clothes, cell phones, make-up, hair, food or music. I’d do it just to see the effect.

It is very important to stay on top of the present and future trends in the food. From the last years, food trends have been influenced by the cultures of other countries. Some factor that is influencing these changes is the globalization. Nowadays, many cultures have arrived to Costa Rica and there are many different restaurants. There are Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese, French and Costarican restaurants. Also including fast food like Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut or KFC, they all have changed the national habits and trends in the costarican society. International restaurants have changed the nutrition of the people, and are increasing the lost of the importance of the preservation the national food.


To conclude, the food trends have being changing our life style too, because some of us like to go out and eat the most fast food to go to our jobs, and that how are acting the costarricans nowadays; but it is curious to see that when people go to vacations they prefire the traditional food. I think that it is just a trend that only happens when we do our duty like working or study.



VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 8


  1. delicacies: luxuries
  2. Witnessing: seeing
  3. Stacked: full
  4. Shift: change
  5. Workforce: labor force
  6. Phenomenon: development
  7. Overrun: changed
  8. Core: valuable
  9. Intimate: close
  10. Sit-down: relaxed
  11. Breadwinners: salary earners
  12. Bring home the bacon: gave me a negative feeling
  13. Dough: money
  14. Get cooking: start working
  15. There´s trouble brewing: problems are developing
  16. Put it on the black burner: leave something until later; treat as less urgent
  17. Stirs up: creates
  18. Food for thought: something to think about
  19. The salt of the earth: a really good person
  20. take it with a grain of salt: be skeptical about what you hear
GRAMMAR: PHRASAL VERBS


 Is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.

EXAMPLE:

I need to sort out the garbage







UNIT 7. WHAT´S THE USE OF HOMEWORK?



WHY HOMEWORK?


There are several advantages to homework, if it is given in the correct amounts and at the right time. First of all, students do need some practice of new material learned in school. They need to sit quietly at home and find out how well they understand the new information and ideas. Secondly, homework helps the teacher to know what the students have or have not learned.The teacher can then change the next lessons to match.A third point is that homework can involve parents in the education of the child. Family members can encourage the child and see his or her progress.


However, too often there are negative aspects to homework.Many teachers give too much homework, and often teachers do not coordinate the quantity given. The children do not have free time to relax or play sports. A further point is that unnecessary assignments raise the stress level of the student. This can actually lower productivity and performance, instead of raising it. However, the main argument against homework is that most of it is just boring practice.The students learn nothing new – the teachers just give it because they are expected to. I agree that some practice is good, but endless practice of the same material does not lead to improvement.


In conclusion, the need to give homework must be considered carefully. It can be helpful in certain circumstances, but students and teachers must understand the value and importance of homework. In my opinion, finding the balance between free time and homework will lead to a happy and successful school experience for our children.


VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 7
  1. Ritual: something you do on a regular basis
  2. Advocates: supportes believers of one sid of a controversy
  3. Foundation: basis; an idea from which a system develops
  4. Fluctuated: changed from one level to another
  5. Tangible: real; something that can be measured
  6. Self-esteem: feeling good about yourself
  7. Sacrifice: give up something you want or enjoy
  8. Duty: something you must do
  9. Demanding: difficult; challenging
  10. Monitor: carefully check or examine
  11. Accountable: considered responsible
  12. Distraught: very upset
  13. Obedient: willing to do what is asked
  14. Outlawed: made illegal
  15. Held accountable for: held responsible for
  16. Bucle down: concentrate and do your work
  17. Came to mind: ocurred to (me)
  18. count on: depend on, rely on
  19. Hopping mad: really angry
  20. Pays off: leads to good results
GRAMMAR: MAKE, LET, HELP, and GET

Are used to talk about things that someone can allow another person to do, here´s an example:

We got them to clean our house


miércoles, 4 de diciembre de 2013

UNIT 6: GIVING TO OTHERS



PHILANTHROPY

There are many different forms of philanthropy and a large variety of different ways todo it. When people think of philanthropy, they usually think of donating to a charity or someother non-profit philanthropy based organization. However, you can do philanthropy in moreways than that. You can do anything from participating in/making an organization for homelessor needy people to participating in any form of community service that helps people somehow.There is a seemingly infinite amount of ways you can demonstrate philanthropy.

Philanthropy is very, very, important. It is not only important for what you are doing itfor, but for you, and those around you. There are three reasons why it is important. One is that itimproves your character if you know that you can make a difference in peoples lives and youwant to do just that. Philanthropy is not just a good thing to do; it is a virtue that is important tohave to have good character. 

Despite what a lot of people think, there are lots of ways to demonstrate philanthropy inyour community. Most people think the only way to demonstrate philanthropyis by donating. However you can do other things such as do community service (such as working at a homeless shelter, doing a highway cleanup, etc.), give to people less fortunate, provide for people or animals, of course donating, etc


VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 6
  1. Charity: something given to a person or persons in need
  2. Donation: a gift, as to a fund; contribution.
  3. Appeal:an earnest request for aid, support, sympathy, mercy
  4. Anonymity:the state or quality of being anonymous.
  5. Morality: moral quality or character.
  6. Passion:any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
  7. Wealth: a great quantity or store of money, valuable possessions, property, or other riches 
  8. Inheritance: something that is or may be inherited
  9. Freelance: rather than working on a regular salary basis for one employer.
  10. Contribution: the act of contributing.
  11. Benefactor: a person who confers a benefit; kindly helper.
  12. Rewarding: affording satisfaction, valuable experience, or the like; worthwhile.
  13. Motivation:the state or condition of being motivated
  14. Fundraiser: a person who solicits contributions or pledges.
  15. Generosity: a generous act
  16. Donor: a person who gives or donates.
  17. Catastrophe: a sudden and widespread disaster: the catastrophe of war.
  18. Passionate: ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling


GRAMMAR: RELATIVE PRONOUNS IN ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

Is a group of words that works like an adjective to modify a noun.

EXAMPLE:

Chewing with her mouth open is one reason why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister Melanie.


















lunes, 11 de noviembre de 2013

UNIT 5: LONGEVITY: REFUSING TO BE INVISIBLE



CHALLANGES THAT ELDERLY PEOPLE FACE NOWADAYS IN COSTA RICA

If we could list the challenges that the elderly have today, it would be a long list, since the Costa Rican people has become more away from the term solidarity and collaboration. Because now with so many problems in certain subjects that have already affected a lot of these folks and converts them into isolated beings, distrustful by so much news in the newspapers, both event and crime in the streets, it is clear that has affected their behavior and habits. We have lost many values, such as the good treatment that you must give the older person, as well as the respect it deserves and meet their needs; I think that's why the name comes from a citizen of gold. 


Is an important citizen and valuable in our society, we must not forget that they gave an important contribution to our country in the time that were more young people. Now they pay the price of their former neglect of the old. They themselves are neglected and unappreciated in turn.

The less fortunate ones may have to pine their lives away in an old-folk home or in their empty house that once was filled with the sound of children’s laughter. This neglect is a very real problem in our society and it is what the old dread the most – being unwanted and uncared for in the time of need.There are other problems old folks face, but none can be as bad as the indifference and neglect of the young. The young have no time for the old even though the old have virtually no time left. Soon they will die and the young will take their place.

VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 5
  1. Go in for: want to, do something with pleasure 
  2. Bold: brave, courageous 
  3. Bitterness: resetment, anger 
  4. Solidarity: support, agreement 
  5. Ensemble: outfit (clothing) 
  6. Chapter: local group of an organization 
  7. Gorgeous: beautiful, attractive 
  8. Flamboyant: showy, loud, colorful 
  9. Brag: boasst, show off 
  10. Assited living facility: a place where seniors sometimes live, similar to a nursing home 
  11. Self-improvement: working hard to become better 
  12. Nurturing: Offering kind, supportive care 
  13. Brunch of: a lot of something 
  14. Face: o turn toward someone or something, or to acknowledge and confront. 
  15. Physician: a person who is licensed to practice medicine, or a person who is skilled in healing. 
  16. Pass away: to die 
  17. Widow: a woman who is alive after her husband’s death 
  18. Keep an eye on: see have one's eye on 
  19. The ripe old age of: a very old age 
  20. Senior: to behave for a short time as though you are old/silly
GRAMMAR: TAG QUESTIONS

A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a mini-question. The whole sentence is a "tag question", and the mini-question at the end is called a "question tag".


statementquestion tag
+
Positive statement,
-
negative tag?
Snow is white,isn't it?
-
Negative statement,
+
positive tag?
You don't like me,do you?


sábado, 9 de noviembre de 2013

UNIT 4: ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE


ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE: DOGS




Dog intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn, think, and solve problems. Dog trainers, owners, and researchers have as much difficulty agreeing on a method for testing canine intelligence, as they do for human intelligence. This kind of animal is known as the best friend of the man; and it is. It really is because it adapts easily to humans´s life, and help them, are their company, some of them understands their owners like no one, they are really smart.

Dogs are pack animals, meaning that they understand social structure and obligations and are capable of learning how to behave around other members of the pack. Adult canines train their young by correcting them when they behave in an unacceptable manner (biting too hard, eating out of turn, and so on) and reward them for acceptable behavior (by playing with them, feeding them, cleaning them, and so on).They are also den animals. This means that they can easily learn behavior related to keeping the den clean (such as housebreaking) and relaxing in an enclosed area (such as a crate during travel or for training).

To conclude, the dogs are such a smarts animals, in the other hand there aren´t the smart ones of the list of animals, but they are one of the perfect company to have and even that many people think the opposite because they are animals, and they are dirty and doesnt now how to act like a human because the aren´t.  However they are easily domesticated.





Bibliography

Dog intelligence. http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/d/dog_intelligence.htm. Science Daily. science reference. december 9th,2013.

VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 4


  1. Socialized: trained to behace in a way that is acceptable to others in your group
  2. Deceive: make someone believe something that is not true
  3. Spontaneosly: in a way that is not planned
  4. Intriguing: interesting because it´s inusual or unexpected
  5. Vocalize: make a sound with the voice
  6. Rote memorization: learned from repeating and not from thinking
  7. Categorize: put objects into groups according to what kind, color, size, etc. they are
  8. Figure out: conclude, realize
  9. Context: the situation, events, or information related to something
  10. Pest: animals that create a disturbance or bother people
  11. Unethical: immoral
  12. Compassion: kindness
  13. (give someone) the floor: allow someone to speak
  14. Off the top of (someone´s) head: without thinking about it in advance
  15. Nuisance: something that bothers or annoys
  16. Get it: understand
  17. Deseases: sicknesses
  18. Hazard: danger
  19. Humane: kind; gentle
  20. Superior: better than


GRAMMAR: REPORTED SPEECH

It reports what the emisor said without using the exact word, for exemple:

Original: I'm going to a party today!
Reported: The girl said that she was going to a party today


UNIT 3. EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE

THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP


For many years it has been known that sleep well its a part of being healthy, is a our body´s need and as a another basic necesity that has to be fulled, In today’s world people take sleep for granted and they don’t think they are. Whether people realize it or not sleep is important and being sleep deprived can have negative consequences.


Sleep deprivation can cause the thought process of the mind to slow down making it difficult to pay attention and hold onto information. “Research suggests that the nerve connections that make our memories are strengthened during sleep,” (Camille 2).

Every individual is different on how much sleep they need. The smaller you are the more sleep you need; as you get older you don’t need as much sleep as you would when you were a baby or even a young school age child. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours to get the best sleep to function for the next day. During the 7 to 8 hours your body goes into a deep sleep that helps your body be ready for the next day to give you the energy that you will need.

In conclusion, the lack of sleep need to be taken seriously and luckly sleep deprivation is a thing that is easy to fix, therefore educators and parent must be aware and warn to the students to recommend them to sleep well, and maybe not to increase their homeworks, at the same time parents need to try and enforce proper sleeping techniques at home to ensure the well being of the childen.



VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 3


  1. Hormones: chemical substances in the body
  2. Captivating: very intesting
  3. Blinking: closing and opening the eyes very quickly
  4. Alert: able to think clearly
  5. Chronically: permanently, constantly
  6. Surge: a boost, increase
  7. Out of sync: on a completely different schedule
  8. Irritable: easily and quickly annoyed
  9. Droop: hand or bend down
  10. Dim: low, not bright
  11. Waves of sleepiness: strong feelings of fatigue, tiredness
  12. Miserable: very unhappy
  13. Acummulates: adds up
  14. Cronic: always present
  15. Suspect: believe to be true
  16. Alertness: focus and concentration
  17. Snore: breathe noisily while sleeping
  18. Cranky: easily irritated or annoyed
  19. Priority: most importan thing to do
  20. Fatigue: extreme tirednesS


GRAMMAR: PRESENT UNREAL CONDITIONALS


The unreal conditional indicate a situation which is only imagined or in some-one's mind.

for example:




If I had a horse, I would ride to classes every day





To form the present unreal conditional, must wach this video:




Tt explains how to form the present unreal conditional, and gives some examples

martes, 5 de noviembre de 2013

UNIT 2. THE ACHILLES HEEL




DISABILITY


Disability refers to the condition of being physically or mentally disabled or challenged. The physically disabled are those physically handicapped such as the crippled, the blind, the mute as well those having some form of physical deformities. Those mentally disabled suffer from mental retardation such as cerebral palsy and down syndrome among others.

There are hundrends of disabled people in Costa Rica and many face discrimination on a regular basis which takes many forms. Very few employers hire disabled people as the latter is considered more a liability than an asset in the organization. However, these fears are completely unfounded. Many a blind and hearing impaired persons have contributed tremendously to organizations they are attached to. In fact, there are many cases of how disabled personalities have done themselves proud by being their own bosses. Their success stories include those how run their own business such as shops, restaurants, handicraft centers in addition to those who have become teachers and professionals through sheer hard work and determination. Many have even become successful sports persons participating in Paralympics Games and winning medals. It is a folly to think that only physically able people can make one's country and nation proud.

In addition, in Costa Rica, public transport and government buildings are not disabled-friendly. There has to be a concerted effort to ensure the disabled have access to these places and not feel hampered in anyway.
Thus, it is high time that we accept the disabled as an important component of our society. Despite their handicap, they play an important role in our lives and at the same time the need our respect, acceptance and understanding.


VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 2
Collapsed: fell down suddenly
Crushed: presed something so hard it broke
Crutches: special sticks used under the armas to help a person walk
In store for: planned for
Landscape: a view across an area of land
Limitations: things that keep you from going beyond certain boundaries
Overcome: succeed in controlling a problem
Proof: Facts or evidence that prove that something is true
Revelation: insight; sudden realization
Scars: marks left on skin from a cut or wound
Soared: flew very high or fast
Illness: a condition in which the body or mind is harmed because an organ or part is unable to work as it usually does; a disease or sicknes
Injury: physical harm or damage done to a living thing
Shyness: the quality or state of being shy
Learning disability: one of many conditions that can have an effect on someone's ability to learn easily
Scattered: To cause to separate and go in different directions.
Peak: to reach the highest point, value, or level
Discrimination: the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated
Landscape: a large area of countryside, usually one without many buildings or other things that are not natural
Inspiration: someone or something that gives you ideas for doing something








GRAMMAR: GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Which means they can do just about anything that a noun can do. Although they name things, like other nouns, they normally name activities rather than people or objects.

To understand more this topic, there´s a following video that will show how to use the gerunds and infititives 



Unit 1.INFORMATION OVERLOAD

FEMALE MOSQUITO ADAPTS ALMOST TO ANY AREA AND CLIMATE

In a small country like in Costa Rica, with characteristics that favor the mosquitoes breeding, many are concerned about the spread of Aedes aegypti which unfortunately attacks all the population; those who live in the worst conditions and are not able to treat themselves as proper.

The female mosquito lays its eggs in clean water because it needs the ideal condition for its eggs: which are 300-350 each time. For this reason, it is necessary to act now, because by the passage of time places get more infested with these pests. The Costa Rican population is already aware of the situation and its relevant to stop it now, before it takes more lives.

Nowadays, the plague is stronger and has adapted it to all kind of environments like high, cold and wet places.  That means that it has become immune to all treat affected before.  So, now it doesn’t matter the place, the mosquito is everywhere even in places where it was never heard of before and as Catalina R, mentioned (epidemiologist of the C.C.S.S.): “we must eliminate mosquito breeding sites. If there´s n o mosquito breeding there are not mosquitoes and without it there´s no dengue”.
Aedes Aegypti
Bibliography

Rodríguez, I. (9 de septiembre de 2013). Zancudo hembra se adapta a casi cualquier área y clima. La Nación.pp11



VOCABULARY FROM UNIT 1


1. INTAKE: the amount of something such as food, breath, or a liquid that is taken in by someone or something

2. PERSPECTIVE: a particular way of viewing things that depends on one’s experience and personality

3. NEWSWORTHY: considered important enough to be in news reports, newspapers, etc

4. REPETITIVE: expressed or happening in the same way many times

5. BIAS: an unfair personal opinion that influences your judgment

6. INCONSEQUENTIAL: not important; able to be ignored

7. DESPAIR: a feeling of being without hope or of not being able to improve a situation

8. REMEDIES: a substance or method for curing an illness, or a way of dealing with a problem

9. BARRAGE: a great number of complaints, criticisms, or questions suddenly directed at someone

10. INMOBILIZED: stop something or someone from moving

11. DISENGAGE FROM :To become separate or not connected, or to cause this to happen

12. UNDERLYNG: real but not immediately obvious

13. LETHAL: able to cause or causing death; extremely dangerous

14. SENSE OF HUMOR: o understand funny things

15. REGARDLESS OF: without being influenced by any other events or conditions

16. DISTRACTS: to take someone’s attention away from what that person is doing or should be doing:

17. EVADING: to avoid or escape from someone or something

18. FOCUS: the main or central point of something, especially of attention or interest

19. RAISES: to lift something to a higher position

20. PLUGGED INTO: To get to know and receive information about something

GRAMMAR: PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is very used by News reporters, and is a voice that indicates that the subject revices the verb action.

To form the passive voice you must see this video:




martes, 29 de octubre de 2013

INFORMATION





E-PORTAFOLIO PROJECT BASED ON NORTHSTAR BOOK 4

BY MARICRUZ ELIZONDO JIMENEZ
ENGLISH III
GROUP 1
PROFESSOR: MONSERRAT