TOP TEN SCIENCE STORIES OF 2011

Published: The Scientific American; December 22, 2011 You will need to google the article to find it as the link below seems not to be working. I have contacted the magazine and will correct the link when I hear back

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?=top-10-science-stories-2011&print

Level of difficulty: ** This is the preintermediate version of The Guardian reading on a similar topic.

Time allowed: 35 minutes

QUESTIONS

1.       What two events concerning space travel have not been included in the top ten science stories of 2011?

2.       What future use of Watson could benefit mankind?

3.       Why exactly will the year to come be a difficult one for solar companies?

4.       What are the three success stories related to gene therapy?

5.       The recent success of Apple is due to a change of attitude as far as Jobs is concerned. What is this change?

6.       Where is the US planning to send spacecraft in the next 20 years?

7.       What is the Higgs mechanism?

8.       Extreme weather in 2011 has not only been dangerous but also ……………………………

9.       Do the majority feel Einstein’s special theory of relativity is the cosmic speed limit or not?

10.   How exactly did researchers reach the conclusion that Twitter served an important function in regime change?

11.   What have been the consequences in terms of the international community of Japan’s nuclear crisis?

THE TOP TEN SCIENCE STORIES OF 2011 / KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

Various magazines and newspapers have published their own picks of the top ten science stories one of which has already been posted on this blog. This earlier reading task based on a text out of The Guardian is significantly harder than this one. This reading task is, however, well suited to preintermediate level students 2 to 3 months into the course, depending on how rigorous a reading syllabus is being implemented. At intermediate level, it should be attempted earlier in the year.

KEY

1.       The discovery of new worlds beyond our solar system including Kepler 22 b; the discovery of the first Earth size exoplanets; the Messenger spacecrafts photos of the planet Mercury

2.       Its use in the health care industry

3.       Because of the end of the government’s subsidy program.

4.       The treatment of hemophilia b; treating children born with serene combined immune deficiency; the discovery of new ways of delivering missing genes.

5.       He decided to ease up slightly on the compulsiveness button.

6.       The moon or an asteroid

7.       The leading hypothesis for why the elementary particles that make up atoms, people and planets have mass.

8.       Costly

9.       They do.

10.   Analyzing millions of tweets, looking for words like revolution, liberty and Ben Ali.

11.   It slowed the pace of nuclear plant construction; set back efforts to combat climate change; it created the world’s newest nuclear park.

CONFRONTATION CULTURE

Published: bbc.co.uk/news

Level of difficulty:*** ( Int. Quarter 2 level)

BEFORE YOU READ

§  How would you describe yourself; hotheaded, laidback and easy going or something in between?

§  How easily do you lose your temper?

§  When did you last lose your temper?

§  In hindsight, were you right or wrong to lose your temper on that particular occasion?

§  Do you think people are more bad-tempered than they used to be?

§  What might the reasons for this be?

NOW READ DOWN AS FAR AS BIG BROTHER

1.      The incident that takes place at a supermarket is provided to prove that __________________________________________________________.

2.      Have you ever witnessed or been involved in a similar altercation? Explain.

___________________________________________________________.

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED BIG BROTHER

3.      What leisure time activity is claimed to influence the confrontational attitude we have developed in recent years?

________________________________________________________________

4.      The Big Brother show is structured in a certain way. How exactly is it structured? Answer in your own words.

_________________________________________________________________

5.      Dr. Cassidy says he didn’t want anything to do with the show because he didn’t feel anything that was being done was right. What was he ultimately worried about?

___________________________________________________________________

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED RETAIL RAGE

6.      In the first half of this section, the writer defends shows like Big Brother. How exactly does he try and show that such shows may not in fact be as harmful as we currently think?

____________________________________________________________________

7.      How does Paul Clarke support his opinion concerning the connection between reality television and public behavior?

_____________________________________________________________________

8.      At the end of this section the writer poses a question. What do you think the answer is?

____________________________________________________________________

NOW READ THE SECTION TASTE THE DEFERENCE

9.      At the beginning of paragraph three, the writer says “this shift”. What is he referring to? Be very specific.

____________________________________________________________________

10.  What do you think the phrase flip-side means in this context?

_____________________________________________________________________

11.  Sir Allan Steer, whose opinions are given in this section, seems to find young people’s “loud and exaggerated behavior” perfectly normal for two reasons. What are they?

a) __________________________________________________________________

b) __________________________________________________________________

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED I’LL SCREAM AND I’LL SCREAM

12.  In this section Ben Page lists some of the reasons why we are getting worse in our public behavior. What are they?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13.  In the text, it is stated that the institute’s research also revealed some double think. What does the latter phrase mean in this context? Explain.

_____________________________________________________________________

OPTIONAL FREE WRITING

To what extent do you agree with the reasons provided in this text to explain our worsening public behavior? State your views clearly and support them. Remember to reach a logical conclusion.

CONFRONTATION CULTURE

This innocent looking text is furnished with some serious comprehension questions that make it a challenge. Could be done as a follow up to Tempering Toddler Tantrums. The level of difficulty:***

BEFORE YOU READ

§  How would you describe yourself; hotheaded, laidback and easy going or something in between?

§  How easily do you lose your temper?

§  When did you last lose your temper?

§  In hindsight, were you right or wrong to lose your temper on that particular occasion?

§  Do you think people are more bad-tempered than they used to be?

§  What might the reasons for this be?

NOW READ DOWN AS FAR AS BIG BROTHER

1.      The incident that takes place at a supermarket is provided to prove that we are becoming addicted to confrontation.

2.      Have you ever witnessed or been involved in a similar altercation? Explain.

Answers will vary.

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED BIG BROTHER

3.      What leisure time activity is claimed to influence the confrontational attitude we have developed in recent years?

watching television

4.      The Big Brother show is structured in a certain way. How exactly is it structured? Answer in your own words.

Arguments fights and personality clashes are engineered on purpose and the people in the show act up accordingly (or something similar).

5.      Dr. Cassidy says he didn’t want anything to do with the show because he didn’t feel anything that was being done was right. What was he ultimately worried about?

We learn from others if people… / or this has a knock on effect…. But if they find this alternative there is a good chance they don’t understand what it means so make sure to stop and explain.

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED RETAIL RAGE

6.      In the first half of this section, the writer defends shows like Big Brother. How exactly does he try and show that such shows may not in fact be as harmful as we currently think?

But since it was invented… The Big Brother show may be something similar.

7.      How does Paul Clarke support his opinion concerning the connection between reality television and public behavior?

People blur what they see on television with the real world.

8.      At the end of this section the writer poses a question. What do you think the answer is?

Answers will vary. Such discussion questions interspersed among the questions help break the monotony and refocus attention.

NOW READ THE SECTION TASTE THE DEFERENCE

9.      At the beginning of paragraph three, the writer says “this shift”. What is he referring to? Be very specific.

The shift from a more accepting society … to a more democratic culture.

10.  What do you think the phrase flip-side means in this context?

the bad side

11.  Sir Allan Steer, whose opinions are given in this section, seems to find young people’s “loud and exaggerated behavior” perfectly normal for two reasons. What are they?

a) you model bad behavior  

b) young people are impressionable

c) programmes being pitched at the young

NOW READ THE SECTION TITLED I’LL SCREAM AND I’LL SCREAM

12.  In this section Ben Page lists some of the reasons why we are getting worse in our      public behavior. What are they?

People expect the world to revolve around the axis of their egos/ people are less inhibited/ 1960’s liberalism / 1980’s me first culture/ increase in affluence/ stress/ long working hours/ alcohol consumption / people feel they have a right to express themselves they don’t care what people think.

13.  In the text, it is stated that the institute’s research also revealed some double think. What does the latter phrase mean in this context? Explain.

People both condemn and secretly enjoy confrontations. / Open ended.

OPTIONAL FREE WRITING

To what extent do you agree with the reasons provided in this text to explain our worsening public behavior? State your views clearly and support them. Remember to reach a logical conclusion.

.

THE ORIGINS OF THE SWASTIKA

Published: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm
BEFORE YOU REeAD
What is the swastika?
What does the swastika mean for you?
NOW WATCH THE BBC VIDEO
The story of the swastika https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_reuMKpgow
READ THE SUBTITLE OF THE TEXT

3. What exactly has the EU done?
4. Why?
5. Do you agree or not
6. Which of the words below does not mean “association”?

1. link      b.  connection      c.  relationship     d.  meaning

NOW READ THE FIRST SECTION OF THE TEXT DOWN TO THE SUBTITLE

7. What is an icosagon or 20 sided polygon?
8. What surprising information does the text provide concerning the origin of the swastika?
9.    The swastika points in all four directions. What additional quality does this give the swastika?
10.  How widespread is the swastika as a cultural symbol? Does it surprise you that you’ve never heard of these roles of the swastika? Why do you think you only know the Nazi   association?
11. . Why did Rudyard Kipling remove the swastika from the dust jacket of his books?
12.  Which of the words below does not mean the same as ‘inappropriate’? (p.5)  a.  unsuitable       b. unnecessary      c. incorrect       d. improper

13. The swastika has appeared on medals presented by two countries. Whereas
   ______________ removed the symbol, _________________________still retains it.
14.  Which attitude do you agree with? Justify your answer.

  NOW READ THE SECOND HALF OF THE TEXT

 15. What geographical place has the name of swastika? Why do you think the name has not been changed?
16.   Which of the words below does not mean ‘resident’?
   - citizen,  - dweller, - inhabitant,  - official, - occupant
17.   Were the Nazis the first to use the swastika as a racist symbol? 
18. What does the word Aryan mean to you? Who, in fact, were the early Aryans?
19.  How do you feel about all you’ve read in the text? Discuss your reaction. How would you feel if you were a Hindu?

THE ORIGINS OF THE SWASTIKA KEY

This is a simple yet original text suited to preintermediate students quite early in the year.

BEFORE YOU READ

      A Nazi symbol

      It reminds me of the persecution of the Jews, concentration camps …

READ THE SUBTITLE OF THE TEXT

Banned the swastika

      because of its associations with hate and racism

      Answers will vary   
      d.  meaning

NOW READ THE FIRST SECTION OF THE TEXT DOWN TO THE SUBTITLE

      A swastika

      It means “good to be” and was made on people and objects to give them    

     good luck.

           stability

           very widespread. Answers will vary.

          The rise of Nazism made it inappropriate.

          b. unnecessary      

          Britain removed the symbol, Finland (the Finnish airforce ) still retains it.
       Open ended

NOW READ THE SECOND HALF OF THE TEXT

  A small mining town in Northern Ontario

   Open ended.
   official, -

   No. The Austrian Pan German followers of Schoenerer used it first.
 Open ended; an Indian race

 Open ended

SCIENCE REVIEW OF 2011:THE YEAR'S BIGGEST STORIES

By Robin McKie ; Published: The Guardian, Saturday 17 December ,2011

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/dec/18/science-discoveries-review-2011/print

Level of difficulty: ***

The task you are about to tackle is a tough search reading – or a careful search reading or even a convoluted search reading. You should allow 3 minutes per question ideally, giving you a total time of 45 minutes.

QUESTIONS

1.       Which of the quality of graphene holds the greatest potential?

2.       Why did most scientists think that the initial experiment involving the firing of neutrinos was wrong? You will need to partly reword the answer yourselves.

3.       What is the misconception concerning Homo sapiens and Neanderthals? What discovery proved that this view was, indeed, wrong?

4.       The ultimate purpose of the research conducted by Professor Komisaruk  was …………………

5.       The major problem presented by “Earth’s twin”, which has been recently discovered, is that it is …………………………………………………….. Use your own words.

6.       State in your own words why the decision to give Ralph Steinman the Nobel Prize was not retracted.

7.       What conclusion can be drawn concerning the testing of medical treatment intended for humans on animals from the information on stem cell research? Use your own words.

8.       What is “the curse of Mars probes”?

9.       What quality do Archeopteryx and Xiaotingia zhengi share? What is their role in the evolution of birds?

10.   What is the Higgs boson and what have scientists achieved in their efforts to prove its existence?

SCIENCE REVIEW OF 2011: THE YEAR’S 10 BIGGEST STORIES

By: Robin McKie; Published: The Guardian, Saturday 17 December 2011

KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This wonderful, factual text, which would normally be a straightforward search reading exercise, lends itself to some seriously tricky questions which require close reading of sections of the text with an eagle eye if you will. It is not recommended that teachers walk into class without looking to see what, exactly, those tricks are so that they can help the students with clues should the latter get stuck. The task does, however, provide the kind of mental challenge that will help students on tests. The task will provide practice in paraphrasing, text organization and analysis as well as serious cognitive skills.

1.       Its versatility.  The students need to know the meaning of the word potential and relate it to the text.

2.       Because they didn’t believe the neutrinos could have been travelling faster than the speed of light. This is one of the hardest questions in the bunch and requires in depth understanding and an ability to read between the lines; a challenge that students now face on tests.

3.       Homo sapiens arrived in Europe around 35.000 – 40.000 years ago… Bones and teeth found in Italy and England that pushed back… After finding the misconception, they need to look back at the beginning of the text to see what the reason is, which will help teach students reasoning skills

4.       Help both men and women who cannot reach sexual climax. This question involves a simple lexical trick.

5.       Far away. This answer is not openly stated but one would have to be blind not to see the clues. This type of question – which I love – is becoming much more commonplace on tests so practice will make perfect; fingers crossed.

6.       The committee was unaware of his death or impending death when they reached their decision. Again, although there is no phrase such as this in the text, that this was, in fact, the reason is stated in a different way. The students will need to paraphrase to answer the question and where is the harm in that?

7.       What works for animals doesn’t always work for humans. Or, animals and humans react differently to the same medical treatment.  This is an inference question. The students will need to draw an obvious conclusion but they will need to use their own words, all of which means thinking.

8.       Of the 38 Mars missions, 19 have suffered some kind of major flaw, a failure rate of 50%.

9.       They belong to the same group called deinonychosaurs; they are part of the Earthly experimentation on how to build birds.

10.   An entity which gives all other particles their mass; they have noted evidence of a particle at a mass of around 125 GeV