Hurricanes

Hurricane Katrina Satellite Image

A hurricane is an area of low pressure, with wind speeds of 300 kilometers per hour and very heavy rain. Hurricanes can cause a great deal of damage to the areas they pass over and, if you live in a hurricane area, it is important to be ready for them. Hurricanes begin in areas of low pressure in all the tropical areas of the world. In America and the Caribbean they are called “hurricanes” and the word “hurricane” comes from the Spanish and Caribbean Indian words for “evil spirits” and “big winds.” In southeast Asia and the Pacific, they are called “typhoons” or “cyclones” and in Australia they are called “willy-willies.”

Hurricanes do not stay in one place, but move very quickly across the ocean, getting stronger and stronger. The hurricane continues to travel until it reaches an area of cool sea or land. When the hurricane reaches land, it becomes less powerful, but can still cause a great deal of damage to towns and villages in the area.

Superstition

There is evidence of superstition among ancient civilizations. But this is not something of the past. Superstition is part of our modern world, too.

Some very old beliefs are among us today: a broken mirror, for example, means seven years of bad luck. A black cat brings you bad luck when it crosses your way. Some people never walk under a ladder because it also means bad luck. There is a very curious belief among New Yorkers: 13 is a sign of bad luck and many buildings have no thirteenth floor.

There is also a place for good luck in superstition. Some charms and beliefs are popular because they bring good luck. A horseshoe, for example, or a four-leaf clover are popular good luck charms around the world. In Brazil, it is very difficult to find a ticket of the Federal Lottery with a final 13 – this is the lucky number. There is another curious belief in Brazil: three kisses on the face of a single girl bring marriage.

Superstition is certainly part of the past, present and future life of man. For some people, it is ignorance; for others, it is an important part of their lives.

Bruno Mars - "Just The Way You Are"

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say


(CHORUS:)
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so sexy

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say

(REPEAT CHORUS)

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

(REPEAT CHORUS)

Becoming a more effective learner

-> Look at these 21 ways of studying and learning.

Ways of studying

1- Keep a vocabulary notebook and write translations, phonetics and example sentences in it. (  )

2- Study the grammar from the last lesson before the next lesson. (  )

3- Ask your teacher questions when you don’t understand. (  )

4- Watch TV programmes and films in English. (  )

5- Listen to the radio/music in English. (  )

6- Keep a diary in English. (  )

7- Try to learn three or four new words every day. (  )

8- Practise English with other people via email or the Internet. (  )

9- Talk to other students outside class in English. (  )

10- Revise regularly. (  )

11- Read graded English Readers. (  )

12- Use an English-English dictionary. (  )

13- Put lists of English words on the wall in your bedroom. (  )

14- Use CD-Roms to learn and revise your English. (  )

15- Take a holiday in an English-speaking country. (  )

16- Read magazines / newspapers / websites in English. (  )

17- Write something in English every day. (  )

18- Ask yourself regularly ‘How would I say that in English?’ (  )

19- Ask other people for tips on how to learn effectively. (  )

20- Buy a grammar practice book. (  )

21- Test yourself with new vocabulary. (  )

() Tick the methods that you use.

( * ) Asterisk the methods that you want to try in the future

( x ) Cross the methods that don’t work for you.

Lost Generation

This is a video about the poem "Lost Generation" by Jonathan Reed, originally appearing as an entrant in AARP's U@50 Video Contest. When first read, the poem seems to be a pessimistic monologue of the current generation, an echo of sentiments often found when looking at news reports and articles. The last line of the poem, and the presentation of the poem in the original video, suggests reading it in reverse. When read backwards the poem paints a polarising view, showing a brighter interpretation of the future.

.

Lost Generation

by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe that

I can change the world

I realize this may be a shock but

“Happiness comes from within.”

is a lie, and

“Money will make me happy.”

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

Families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

This is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

Environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

My peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.