Unit 02

Unit 2 Page 20 READING Exercise 4 CETTING TO WORK Most people's journey to work or school is usually quite simple – a short journey by car or on public transport. If you're very lucky, you might be able to walk or cycle. Of course, for some commuters it can be more tedious. Their workplace might not be so far from home, but heavy traffic can make it take much longer than it should. Their employer won't be happy if they're late. Suddenly, the commute becomes very stressful, which is not a great way to start the day. However, there are some people who have found innovative ways to get to work. Gabriel Horchler, who works in Washington DC, noticed that most of his commute took him alongside the river Anacostia. Being a keen rower, Gabriel realised that he didn't need to be sitting still in his car for hours, along with all the other motorists. So, he exchanged his car for a rowing boat and two bikes (one on each end). His journey, which now takes him 90 minutes, also helps him to keep fit. Elsewhere in the US, Benjamin Keiffer beats the traffic by hopping on his unicycle and weaving his way through the New York traffic. It's a skill he learned as a boy at circus school. Benjamin says that it's the best part of his day and much better than when he used to travel on crowded subway trains or had to share the pavement with hundreds of other pedestrians who were all fighting for space. But perhaps the most exciting commute of all belongs to Paul Cox. On holiday in Spain, Paul tried out paragliding and loved it. Now, when the weather allows him, he makes the 10-mile journey from his home in North Wales to work by paramotor! However, there are some people who have to go to even greater lengths to get to work. Abdul Mallik is a teacher in Malappuram, India. He teaches in a primary school which is only 7.5 miles from his home. It used to take him three hours to get there by bus, as his home and the school are separated by a river. But Abdul has found a unique way to get to work quicker – he walks through the river, even though the water is neck-high. Once on the other side, he changes into dry clothes and continues to the school. This is nothing, however, compared to Elizabeth Miranda from the Philippines. Elizabeth is also a teacher, but her journey to join the rest of the staff at her school takes several hours and involves crossing five rivers. This means getting her feet and legs wet. It can be dangerous at times, but nothing will stop Elizabeth getting to school so that she can teach her students.

Page 23 LISTENING Exercise 8 & 9 FUNCTIONS Exercise 11 Hello and welcome back to 'The Great Nature Quiz'. It's the semi-final and after two rounds, Dee has three points and James has four. This round is all about migration. I'll describe an animal famous for its migration and you buzz in when you think you know what it is. One point for a correct answer, but be careful. Give me the wrong answer and you'll lose a point. So, fingers on buzzers. Let's play. What am I? Each year I fly about 11,500 kilometres from New Zealand to Northern China. This is not the longest migration of a bird – that belongs to the Arctic Tern, but, believe it or not, I don't stop .... Yes, Dee. Are you a bar-tailed godwit? Yes, I am a bar-tailed godwit. Well done. As I said, what's most impressive about the bar-tailed godwit's migration is that it doesn't stop to feed, drink or rest. Instead, it uses strong winds to help it complete its journey as quickly as possible. And would you believe me if I told you they do this in as little as two or three days? So fingers back on buzzers. I am born in a part of the western Atlantic Sea called the Sargasso Sea and then spend about two years getting to the rivers of the UK. Yes, James? Are you a freshwater eel? I am indeed. Very impressive. What else can you tell us about the migration of the freshwater eel, James? Well, I know that when they get to the UK, they spend about 12 years inland growing until they are big enough to breed. Then it's all the way back to the Sargasso Sea where they lay their eggs and die. Wow, you certainly know your eels, James. OK, question three. What am I? Each year I make a journey of up to 1,000 kilometres across the North American arctic regions, from the forests to the tundra and back again to escape the heaviest snows. My journey is made on foot and ... Yes, Dee. Are you a caribou? Yes, I am a caribou. Now did you know that although the caribou doesn't make as long a migration as the eels or the godwits, its journey is arguably more difficult as walking takes a lot more energy than either flying or swimming. So, at the end of round three Dee and James, you both have five points. The final round will decide the winner ...

Page 24 READING Exercise 2 A BRAZILAN ADVENTURE Last year, after I finished school, I realised I didn't really have a plan for the next stage of my life. My mum, who is Brazilian but has lived here in the UK most of her life, had the great idea of sending me over to Brazil to live with one of her aunts for a while. At first, I wasn't sure, but after two months of sitting around the house doing nothing, I began to think an overseas adventure sounded like a pretty good idea! And if nothing else, it meant I wouldn't have to put up with my annoying baby sister for a year. (Just kidding, Nina!) So, I started doing the things I needed to do to bring it about – a few phone calls, a visit to the Brazilian embassy and shopping for more summer clothes! Two weeks later, I was at the airport setting out for Rio de Janeiro. Thirteen hours later, the plane touched down. I had arrived. I was worn out but really, really excited. I've been here half a year now. My aunt and my cousins have made me feel wonderfully at home. I've even got a job. I'm teaching English to children living in some of the poorer parts of the city. I think the best thing about it so far has been learning about another culture. At school I had several friends whose families came from different parts of the world originally. I think I had quite a good understanding of some other cultures, but actually living in another country means you really get to see how life there can be different and similar to the one you know. I've been through so many different experiences here, and mostly they've been brilliant. I feel like I've learned a lot more about the world and also about myself. I'm a lot more independent than I ever thought I could be! I've made loads of friends and I run into several people each time I leave the house. It really makes me feel like I'm at home here. It's also been brilliant to learn another language. My mum never spoke Portuguese at home, which was a shame. Of course, I heard it spoken a lot whenever my relatives visited and I knew a few words, but I was amazed at how quickly I've managed to pick it up. After a few months of hanging out with my cousin and her friends, I'm finding I understand most of what they say and I'm able to take part in their conversations quite easily. It's great finally having a second language and learning it doesn't seem like work at all. I've also become really interested in photography. There are so many beautiful views to take photos of! My year abroad is turning out to be the best year of my life so far. And who knows, I might be here longer, much longer! Page 24 PRONUNCIATION Exercise 1 Moving to France when I was nine was tough. It turned out all right, though. I soon made new friends. How long did it take you to pick up French? About three months. I hung out with my French friends every day, so that helped. Do you ever run into them now? Run into them? I don't live in France any more! Page 24 PRONUNCIATION Exercise 3 Moving to France when I was nine was tough. It turned out all right, though. I soon made new friends. How long did it take you to pick up French? About three months. I hung out with my French friends every day, so that helped. Do you ever run into them now? Run into them? I don't live in France any more!

Page 26 Culture Exercise 2 NOMADIC PEOPLE Most of us are used to living in the same place – every day, all year round, we go 'home'. But for some people around the world, home is a place that moves, often across international borders. Here are three groups of people who have or had a nomadic way of life. 1 THE TLINGIT The Tlingit are found on the islands and the shores between Canada and Alaska. They were once a much larger group of people, but the arrival of Europeans in the 1770s brought the Tlingit into contact with diseases, such as smallpox, against which they had no immunity. Many of them died. They have their own language, in which their name translates as 'people from the tides'. Unsurprisingly, the sea has played a huge role in their lives, particularly as a source of food. Their diet consists of a lot of fish, seal meat and seaweed. They also hunt deer, bears and goats, and collect berries and other plants from the forests. Today, around 15,000 Tlingit still live in the area, and although most of them have a much more modern way of life. some are still trying to live off the land in the way that their ancestors did. 2 THE BEDOUIN The Bedouin are one of the most well-known nomadic tribes and there are an estimated 21 million Bedouin in the world today, split into many different clans. In Arabic their name means 'desert dwellers', as they have lived in the dry regions of Northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula for over 1,000 years. Their search for water sources means they are always on the move, taking their herds of goats and camels with them. These two animals are essential to the Bedouin, for food, dairy products and for trading with other clans. Many modern Bedouin have left their nomadic lifestyle behind them and have settled in the towns and cities of the region. However, they are keen to keep their culture alive and organise annual festivals to celebrate their heritage and introduce it to new audiences. 3 THE NUKAK-MAKU The Nukak Maku are a nomadic tribe that lives deep inside the Amazon rainforest in Colombia. For hundreds of years, they lived unknown to the outside world. They were only discovered in 1981. Unfortunately, contact with civilisation meant they were exposed to new illnesses and many died from these diseases. Their land is also under threat from people wanting to grow coca trees. These days, fewer than 1,000 Nukak-Maku are thought to remain there and they are at risk of becoming extinct. They live in very small groups and are always on the move, staying in one place for only a few days before moving on to their next destination. They are true masters of survival and use poisoned darts and blow pipes to hunt jungle animals such as monkeys, birds and wild pigs.

♪