guess the sound

http://www.flypittsburgh.com/flykids/guessSounds.htm

Tufts First Annual English Art Conference

News & Notes: Nasa's Rover Films Descent to Mars

This is the video posted by Katie:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19164574

It's important to understand the sequence of events of what will happen with the rover.

1. Why are the people clapping? What can we see in the picture? (Be specific)
2. According to the man, which are the best photos?
3. He compares the pictures to what on earth?
4. Usually the _________ are up and the ___________ is deployed.
5. Put these in the correct order: ____   _____  _______

a.   Take panoramas

b.   Deploy the antenna

c.   Make sure communication is healthy.

News & Notes: Kobe Bryant on ESPN

Please watch this video posted by Glorious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXHYLIANfA0

Even though you may not know (or care) very much about basketball, try to understand the key elements of this interview.
 QUIZ:

1.Which is true about Kobe Bryant?

  A.5-time NBA champion;14-time NBA All-Star 

  B.29,494 career points

  C.5-time NBA Finals MVP;3-time NBA All-Star MVP

2.Who is Kobe's new teammate?

3.What is the new teammate’s advantage? At least 2

  

4.Who is Kobe's Coach-Style most going to be like?  

5.How will Kobe motivate himself to face Olympic game? (use one word)

ANSWERS:

-1. A -2. Steve Nash -3. Good shooting, making space for others, great dribbling, sensitive to teammates location. -4. Phil Jackson -5. represent

News & Notes: Backlash to Kristen Stewart Cheating

Here's the video posted by Jessica:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2012/07/26/sbt-stewart-pattinson.cnn

"Backlash to Kristen Stewart Cheating"

• Did you read the Twilight series? 
• What do you know about the books? 
• Do you usually read fiction or non-fiction?
• Do you usually follow Hollywood news stories? 
• Do you think that Rob and Kristen will get back together? 

QUIZ:

1.   According to the video, who is very angry about this scandal?

2.   “Even Lady Gaga is going ________ about Kristen’s bad romance.”

3.   This scandal has exploded and become one of the biggest celebrity’s story of the _____.

A.   week

B.   month

C.   season

D.  year

4.   What’s the business relationship between Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders (those two cheating people)?

5.   Who was/were Kristen especially sorry to?

A.   Her fans

B.   Her ex-boyfriend

Answers: 

 -1. Twilight Fans -2. gaga -3. D -4. Director and actress -5.B

News & Notes: Watch Man Jump

Please watch the video posted by Mike:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2012/07/27/tsr-sylvester-stratosphere-skydiver.cnn
 "Watch Man Jump from 96,000 Feet"
Wow - I've never heard of someone jumping from this high! I wonder if he will succeed in the future?!

• Have you ever been skydiving? 
• Have you gone bungee jumping? 
• What job would you want to have? (The control station, the skydiver, the suit maker, etc.)

News & Notes: Olympic Athletes' Outfits Made in China

Please watch the video posted by Eileen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JypFDUig7M

"Olympic Athletes' Outfits Made in China"

• What's your opinion? 
• Do you think that the USA should have used clothes only made in the USA? 
• If you're from China do you feel strongly about the workers who make things to chip to export? 

GM Foods

"Is it scultputre or is it Food?" (NPR audio)
GM Salmon video: (2 mins)
How GM works:(3.5 mins)
Pro GM Cartoon: (3.5 mins)

• What are GM foods? 
• What are reasons people would support it? 
• What are reasons people would be against it?
• Why is the issue important? 
• Would you be for it or against it?

Presentation:  Genetic Experiments

Options:

Choose one product which involves genetic modification and explain what it is and how it works.
Choose a specific issue regarding GM foods (such as labeling) and explain why it is good or bad.

Answer the following questions in your presentation:

·         What is the product or issue?  - Describe it to those who may be unfamiliar.

·         Why should the experiments be conducted or the product be used?  - Explain the benefits.

·         What concerns does the public have? Why would some people not want it?

Be sure to give a conclusion to wrap up your presentations, this might be a restatement of the benefits of the use of genetic modification, or it may be your critique against the product or experiments.

You will be graded on the following:

·         Delivery - clarity and rate of your English

·         Language Use - correct word choice and grammar

·         Content - Organization of the presentation and material presented.

This presentation should be approximately 3 minutes. Your PowerPoint should be 5 - 7 slides.

News & Notes: Japan Rocks

Please check out this video posted by Sherman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh_oIE7a7EY

There are many small details in this video. 
Consider these things:

• What role does Yoshiki have in the band? 
• What things does he have branded?
• Who is the band being compared to? 
• Do you think an Asian pop-star will make it in the USA?

News & Notes: VIDEO BY Newsy California Foie Gras Ban Criticized as Confusing

Please watch the video chosen by Yuki:
http://on.aol.com/video/california-foie-gras-ban-criticized-as-confusing-517408963

Be sure you understand what Foie Gras is and who is banning it.

News and Notes: Tony Robbins Coal-Walking Stunt Gone Wrong

Please watch the video posted by Sergey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU1SahqyUmM&feature=plcp


To learn more about fire-walking click here:
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/time-warp/articles/firewalking.html

1. Why did people agree to walk on the hot coals?  
2. Who organized this event?
3. How many people got burned?
4. Where was this event?
5. True or False: The fireman would walk on the hot coals. 

A. To prove their new self power. Because of the motivational speaker.
B.  Tony Robbins
C. 21
D. California
E. False

News & Notes: Designer's 'perfect' wheelchair to go into production

Please watch the video chosen by Sinan: 

Designer's 'perfect' wheelchair to go into production

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18894180

1. Which car brand helped them?
2. What did the man mention about the old wheelchairs?
3. Which name did he give to his new wheelchair design?

a)carbon black
b)carbon
c)water black

4. What was the first problem that Andrew discussed about the old type of wheelchairs? 
5. What was the kg of the newly designed chair?

 

A. Aston Martin

B. They are limited

C. A

D. They are all same

E. 8.66

Riots in India

NEWS REPORT:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-18897752 

 

VIDEO REPORT:
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18905514 

 

OFFICIAL MARUTI WEBSITE: http://www.marutisuzuki.com/

  

Questions:
1. How many people were arrested?
2. How many people were killed? Who was killed?
3. How did he die?
4. Who is being blamed for the riots?
5. What was the result of the riot?

LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS:

• Do you think the riot was effective?
• Have you ever seen a protest? What was it like?
• Do you know anyone who was ever part of a riot?
• Do you think that a riot can be effective?
• What is a famous riot?

Prepare for Olympics Discussion

These will be the questions for tomorrows conversation. You can think about your answers.

1.       Which do you find more interesting? The Winter Olympics or the Summer Olympics?

2.       Do you usually watch the Olympics? Why or why not?

3.       Which event would you remove from the Olympics? Why?

4.       What do you think is a controversial topic about the Olympics? (I have a few ideas if you get stuck).

5.       Is hosting the Olympics good for a country? What about the tax payer’s money?

6.       If you were in the Olympics, what would you do the night before your event? 

Please read this article about the Chinese Gymnasts to be prepared for discussion as well. 

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/06/age-just-number-chinese-gymnastic-team/54067/#.UAQx4QMfWqk.email The title of the article is: Age is Just a Number for the Chinese Gymnastics Team

 

News & Notes: Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different?

Watch the video chosen by Haruka:
I wonder if she chose it because it talks about Japan?
http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html

Be prepared to tell us if you ever heard of the Chinese Dr. part.
Also be prepared to tell us something culturally different about your country.