jueves, 20 de noviembre de 2014

High-protein diet 'as bad for health as smoking ( 2 versions)


We sometimes need two versions of the same test. Do you? Just in case, here you are.


Test 1


Research finds that people who eat diets rich in animal protein carry similar cancer risk to those who smoke 20 cigarettes each day.
           
            Eating too much animal protein could be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people, a scientific study has found. Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein diet.
           
            The US study found that people with a high protein diet were 74 per cent more likely to die of any cause within the study period than their low-protein counterparts. They were also several times more likely to die of diabetes. But this trend appeared to reverse for those aged over 65, researchers found.          
           
            Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat, but it is the first time research has measured the risk of death caused by regularly eating too much protein. Yet, Prof Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist, said: “Further research is needed to establish whether there is any link between eating a high protein diet and an increased risk of middle aged people dying from cancer.”
           
            Nutritional advice has traditionally focused on reducing on fat, sugar and salt. The World Health Organisation will announce a consultation today suggesting that guidelines on sugar consumption should be lowered, but there have few warnings about excess protein. High-protein food plans, such as the Atkins Diet, have become popular in recent years because of their dramatic weight-loss results. The new research from the University of Southern California suggests that such dieters may harm themselves in the long run.
            “We provide convincing evidence that a high-protein diet – particularly if the proteins are derived from animals – is nearly as bad as smoking for your health,” said Dr Valter Longo.“The research shows that a low-protein diet in middle age is useful for preventing cancer and overall mortality,” said Dr Eileen Crimmins, a co-author of the study. 
Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Eating too much animal protein affects everybody as badly as smoking.
b. The higher possibilities of dying from a disease caused by too much protein had never been proven.
c. Not everybody agress with this study.
d. The WHO is about to warn about high protien diets.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How was this study carried out?
b. Why are high protein diets popular and dangerous at the same time?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. to follow (par.2)                      b. tendency (par.3)                    c. to reduce (par.5)
d. indication (par. 5)                   e. general (par.6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat. Yet, further research is needed.
            Although...
b. It is said that eating too much animal protein is as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people.
            Eating too much...
c. “We provide convincing evidence that a high-protein diet is nearly as bad as smoking for your health,” said Dr Valter Longo.
            Dr Valter Longo said...

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

“Fad diets have become very popular” Do you agree? Why?



Test 2
Research which tracked thousands of adults for nearly 20 years found that people who eat a diet rich in animal protein are four times more likely to die of cancer than someone with a low protein diet. The risk is nearly as high as the danger of developing cancer by smoking 20 cigarettes each day.
Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat, but it is the first time research has measured the risk of death caused by regularly eating too much protein.
Nutritional advice has traditionally focused on cutting down on fat, sugar and salt. The World Health Organisation will announce a consultation today suggesting that guidelines on sugar consumption should be lowered, but there have few warnings about excess protein.
The researchers define a “high-protein” diet as deriving at least 20 per cent of daily calories from protein. They recommend consuming about 0.8g (0.03oz) of protein per kilogram of body weight every day in middle age.
“The research shows that a low-protein diet in middle age is useful for preventing cancer and overall mortality,” said Dr Eileen Crimmins, a co-author of the study. “However, we also propose that at older ages, it may be important to avoid a low-protein diet to allow the maintenance of healthy weight and protection from frailty.”
Dr Gunter Kuhnle, a food nutrition scientist at the University of Reading, said: “While this study raises some interesting perspectives on links between protein intake and mortality… It is wrong, and potentially even dangerous, to compare the effects of smoking with the effect of meat and cheese.” He claimed that sending out such statements “can damage the effectiveness of important public health messages”, adding: “The smoker thinks: 'why bother quitting smoking if my cheese and ham sandwich is just as bad for me?’
British experts agreed that cutting down on red meat had been proven to lower the risk of cancer but said a balanced diet was still the best option.

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Eating too much protein is as unhealthy as smoking.
b. The world Health Organisation had never given any advice about the protein intaking.
c. If a quarter of a diet is based on protein, it can be considered a high-protein one.
d. People over 65 should eat more protein than younger people.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. Should you get a different diet when you get older?
b. Is it wrong to puplish headlines like ”High-protein diet ‘ as bad for health as smoking”? Why?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. Follow (paragraph 1)                                                       
b. Reduce, lower (paragraph 3)                                                          
c. Propose, suggest (paragraph 6)
d. Consumption, what you eat (paragraph 6)                                                       
e. Give up (paragraph 6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. Previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat.
    A link…
b. Dr Eileen said: “ This research shows that a low-protein diet can be useful for preventing cancer”
    Dr Eileen said (that)…
c. Cutting down on red-meat has been proven to lower the risks of cancer.
    It…

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

Smoking should be considered an illegal drug. Do you agree?

Impersonal verbs


Translate the following sentences into English


  1. Es mejor que nos vayamos ahora.
  2. Es imposible que ella llegue a tiempo.
  3. Es fácil ir a Londres en avión.
  4. Estudiar el examen me llevó siete horas.
  5. ¿Cuánto se tarda en ir en coche a Madrid?
  6. Cuando llovizna, me siento muy triste, especialmente si hace frío.
  7. Hace sol, pero hace más frío que ayer.
  8. Durante la tormenta de ayer granizó y tronó durante bastante rato.
  9. Hace años que no la veo.
  10. Hace dos semanas que no leo un libro. He tenido demasiado trabajo.

KEY



  1. It’s better for us to go now. / We’d better go now.
  2. It’s impossible for her to arrive in time.
  3. It’s easy to go to London by plane.
  4. It took me seven hours to revise for the exam.
  5. How long does it take to drive to Madrid?
  6. When it drizzles, I feel very sad, especially if it is cold.
  7. It’s sunny, but it’s colder than yesterday.
  8. It hailed and thundered for a long time during yesterday’s storm.
  9. It’s ages since I last saw her.
  10. It’s two weeks since I last read a book. I’ve been too busy.

High-protein diet 'as bad for health as smoking (2 versions)

KEY   for Test 1

Question 1

            a) FALSE “Eating too much animal protein could be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people” or “ This trend appeared to reverse for those aged over 65”
            b) TRUE “ the first time research has measured the risk of death caused by regularly eating too much protein”
            c) TRUE “Yet, Prof Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK epidemiologist, said: “Further research is needed“
            d) FALSE “he World Health Organisation will announce a consultation today suggesting that guidelines on sugar consumption should be lowered, but there have few warnings about excess protein“

Question 2

                a) -thousands of adults tracked
                -in a period of 20 years

            b) -because of their dramatic weight-loss results
                -bad long term consequences

Question 3

a)       tracked / to track
b)       trend
c)       lowered / to lower
d)       warning
e)       overall

Question 4

a)       Although further research is needed, previous studies have shown a link between cancer and red meat.
b)       Eating too much animal protein is said to be as dangerous as smoking for middle-aged people.
c)       Dr Valter Longo said that they provided convincing evidence that a high-protein diet was nearly as bad as smoking for (y)our health. 

Key for Test 2 



Question 1

                a) False. The risk is nearly as high as the danger of developing cancer by smoking 20 cigarettes each day.
                b) False. But there have few warnings about excess protein
                c) True. The researchers define a “high-protein” diet as deriving at least 20 per cent of daily calories from protein.
                d)True. We also propose that at older ages, it may be important to avoid a low-protein diet to allow the maintenance of healthy weight and protection from frailty

Question 2
                a)Eat more protein.
                b)Paragraph 6

Question 3
a)track
b)cut down
c) raises
            d)intake
            e)quit

Question 4
a)     A link…between cancer and red meat has been shown.
b)     Dr Eileen said (that)…that research showed that a low-portein diet could be useful    for preventing cancer.

           c)     It… has been proven that cutting down on red meat lowers the risk of cancer. 

London West End


Watch the video and answer the following questions





  1. What are the limits that West End streches from?
  2. What did Covent Garden use to be?
  3. When did Covent Garden move to its current location?
  4. What is Covent Garden now and what does it hold?
  5. Which is the oldest London restaurant?
  6. What is the name of London's oldest pub?
  7. Whose statue is in the centre of Leicester Square?
  8. How long is Oxford Street?
  9. How many shops are there in Oxford Street (aprox)?
  10. Which museum is mentioned in the video?
  11. Where do English people "unofficially" celebrate New Year's Eve?
  12. What monuments / buildings can you see in Trafalgar Square?
KEY

  1. Charing Cross, Hyde Park Corner and Euston Road.
  2. The fruit and vegetable market for Westminster Abbey.
  3. In 1974
  4. A shopping area, and holds the Royal Opera House.
  5. Rule's
  6. Lamb and Flag
  7. Shakespeare's
  8. One and a half miles
  9. 300 shops aprox.
  10. The British Museum
  11. In Trafalgar Square
  12. Nelson's column, The National Gallery and the Admiralty Arch.

BRITISH and AMERICAN ENGLISH 13




Are these sentences British or American English? Decide, by reading the whole sentence, if you have to use the British or the American word, which is given in brackets.



  1. Juliet spends her time with the Girl Scouts and Chuck spends his leisure time playing (football / soccer) or watching TV.

  1. As I was driving down the motorway, I noticed that my (motor / engine) was overheating.

  1. The radiator was empty, so I drove carefully to the nearest (gas station / petrol station). There was a long line of automobiles waiting at the (gasoline / petrol) pumps.

  1. Steam was coming from under the (bonnet / hood) as I drove up the water tap.

  1. Mr. Wilson was driving into town .Suddenly the traffic lights changed and he stopped the car at the (pedestrian crossing / crosswalk).

  1. Just then an (articulated lorry / trailer truck) passed him and scraped the fenders on the driver’s side of the car.

  1. Soon a cop arrived and questioned several witnesses who were on the (sidewalk / pavement).

  1. The lorry driver was convicted of driving without care and attention and was (sacked / fired) by his boss.

  1. Henry’s son was running in from the yard, while his wife was going into the kitchen to (wash / wash up) the dishes. Henry shouted at him: “You shouldn’t come into the house with those muddy (rain boots / Wellington boots)”.

  1. The smart government employee was waiting at the bar to order a (lager / beer) and a glass of (whisky / whiskey).




KEY


  1. soccer
  2. engine
  3. gas station – gasoline
  4. bonnet
  5. pedestrian crossing
  6. trailer truck
  7. sidewalk
  8. sacked
  9. wash – rain boots
  10. beer – whiskey 

Connectors chart

Use this chart to help you do the exercise below

Contrast
Addition
Cause and Effect
Condition
but, whereas, while,
on the other hand,
unlike, although,
though, despite the
fact, however,
nevertheless, despite,
in spite of, instead of
and, in addition, additionally,
furthermore, moreover,
not only...but also,
as well as,
besides
because, since, as,
therefore,
as a result,
consequently,
due to,
thus, so that,
in order to
if, unless, only if, even if,
even though,
otherwise (negative
condition)
Time
Example
Conclusion
Emphasis
First, Next,
eventually, instantly,
before long, when,
while, meanwhile, as soon as
For example,
for instance,
To illustrate
In conclusion, to
conclude,
in summary,
to summarize, as we have seen,
in short
in fact, as a matter of fact, indeed, in other words, that means, actually




Rewrite the sentences using the connectors in parenthesis. Make the necessary changes:


1.Isabel apologized several times. Paul wouldn’t speak to her. (but)

2.We decided to walk even though it was raining. (in spite of)

3. Roger works very hard to help his parents. He’s also a good student. (In addition)

4.I love Ice cream. In addition, I love chocolate. (as well as)

5.I’d love to come. I really haven’t got the time. (However)

6. Rome is a great place to visit, but it has got terrible traffic problems. (despite)

7.Miguel was very busy yesterday. He helped me. (Even though)

8.Sinem exercises vigorously. She can’t lose weight. (However)

9.Visitors are not allowed to park here. It is a private parking area. (since)

10.Jack can’t lift the box. He is very strong. (But)

11.Joanne booked a babysitter because she wanted to go out for the evening.(in order to)

12.Brenda does a lot of exercise. She is fit. (therefore)

13.Mark heard the news on the radio. He was driving home. (while)

14.Despite its popularity, the group hasn’t reached any gold record yet. (In spite of)

15. John bought a couple of exercise-books. He wanted to catch up with the rest ofthe class. (so as to)

16. The accident was very serious but nobody was badly injured.(Even though)


jueves, 6 de noviembre de 2014

Is your brain male or female?

Watch the video just for fun before doing the PAU test


                

Do you have a "male" or "female" brain? Are there really significant brain differences between the sexes and if so, do these differences matter? BBC Horizon investigates.
When it comes to the tricky and explosive question of how much, if at all, male and female behaviour is driven by brain differences, Professor Alice Roberts and I sit on different sides of the fence.
I believe that our brains, like our bodies, are shaped by exposure to hormones in the womb and this may help explain why males tend to do better at some tasks (3D rotation), while women tend to do better at others (empathy skills), although there is, of course, an awful lot of overlap and social pressure involved.
Alice, on the other hand, thinks these differences are largely artificial, the result of how the tests are carried out. She worries that such claims may discourage girls from going into science. "We live in a country where fewer than three out of ten physics A levels are taken by girls, where just 7% of engineers are women" she points out, before adding "and where men still earn on average nearly 20% more than their female colleagues." So the BBC's Horizon programme asked us to go and explore the science, put forward research that would support our different views, but also look for common ground.
One of the scientists who has most strongly influenced my beliefs is Professor Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University. He argues that, broadly speaking, there are two different "brain types". There are empathisers, who are good at identifying how other people are thinking or feeling, and there are systemisers, people who are more interested in trying to take apart and analyse systems i.e. people who are a bit nerdy.
We are all a mix of the two, but most of us are more one than the other. Men tend to sit more along the systemising end of the spectrum, women at the empathising end, though there are plenty of exceptions.

 Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. The writer and Professor Alice Roberts share the same opinions.
b. The writer believes that all the differences between male and female brains are merely   genetic.
c. The BBC wanted answers to the questions .
d. We could make mistakes thinking the rule applies to everyone equally.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.
a.What does the writer think about the difference in our brains?
b. What does Alice Roberts fear?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. relevant (par.1)                                              b) to be inclined (par.3)
c) usually (par.4)                                              d) to back up (par.4)
e) very interested in technical matters (par.5)


Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a.   “Are there really significant brain differences between the sexes? Do these differences matter?
       BBC’s Horizon asked ……………………………………………………
b. The BBC’s Horizon programme asked us to go and explore the science.
       We ……………………………………………………………………………..
c. People believe that men are better tan women at some tasks.That’s why women earn 20% less tan men.
            If ………………………………………………………………………………
  
Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

            What differences can you see between men and women?

Warren Buffett's son glad not to have father's money

         

   Peter Buffett knows his message — that limiting or eliminating an inheritance actually benefits children more than if they receive it — might be met with some pushback. But the 52-year-old son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett contends he is living proof that withholding money is the only way to help young people truly reach their full potential.
            Buffett does not stand to inherit any of the $37 billion his famous father has made. And that, the younger Buffett maintains, is a priceless gift, one that has pushed him to become an Emmy-award-winning musician and composer of film scores, commercial jingles and songs.
            In fact, Buffett is adamant that denying an inheritance is the only way to build character and "durable confidence" in heirs.” There’s not a minute that I would choose the money over the experiences and lessons I've had," Buffett said. "My life has been so much richer, and that's dead-on true."
            "If you have a credit card in your pocket, it's very easy to buy a kid a toy," Buffett wrote. “That will make her happy for a few minutes — and, maybe more important to certain kinds of parents, will keep her occupied, so they can return to their own preoccupations." More demanding, and rewarding, is the act of getting "down on the floor" and playing, Buffett argues. "But that takes real involvement, and not just an American Express card," he writes.
            Buffett acknowledges that his life has been privileged. He fully admits that he has received financial benefits from being the son of one of the world's wealthiest men. When he was 19, for instance, Buffett received $90,000 from his father. The more meagre amount, however, allowed him to "buy time" and devote himself to music, Living in San Francisco and composing with little tangible success, Buffett had a chance meeting with a neighbour while washing his car. The neighbour’s son worked for a start-up cable television channel that needed quick splashes of music to punctuate their logos. MTV paid $1,000 for just 10 seconds of music. That work led to commercials and eventually, albums on major record labels
            The irony of Buffett's story is that today, he is flush with more money than he might be able to reasonably spend in his lifetime, thanks to his father. "I've never felt entitled to my dad's success," Buffett said. "And that was a great motivator to me, that I needed to pay rent and put food on the table, rather than pondering that my father has a bunch of money, and why doesn't he give some to me?"

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. Having little money makes your talent rise.
b. Buffet feels happy about not having inherited his father’s fortune.
c. Spending time with your children is better than buying them things.
d. Buffet considers his father gave him a lot of money.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How did Buffet’s father help him?
b. How did Buffet start his profitable business?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. really (paragraph 1)                                      
b. advert (paragraph 2)                                     
c. richest (paragraph 5)
d. finally (paragraph 5)                                      
e. consider, think (paragraph 6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a. He fully admits that he has received financial benefits
            Financial benefits…
b. Buffet said: “There is not a minute that I would choose tha money over the experiences I’ve had”.
            Buffet said that…
c. Buffet was very motivated because he needed to pay rent and put food on the table.
            If…

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:


            “Money gives no happiness”. Do you agree with this statement?