English Readings: plus exercises - level basic, intermediate

By Luise Hakasi

E-Buch mit diversen Artikeln zum Lesen in englischer Sprache.

Englisch als Fremdsprache, weltweit gesprochen und akzeptiert, unersetzlich im heutigen Leben.

Um am wirklichen Leben teilhaben zu können, sind außer Grammatik und Grundstruktur einer Sprache ebenso Redeflüssigkeit, Hörverständnis und Leseverständnis wichtig, um z. B. Radionachrichten, Filme, Musik, TV-Shows verstehen und Bücher, Artikel in Zeitschriften oder im Internet lesen zu können. Ebenfalls sollten die Schreibfähigkeiten trainiert werden, denn auch sie werden in Sprachtests wie Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS etc. überprüft. 

Innerhalb eines effektiven Sprachunterrichtes sollten Lesetexte auf allen Leistungsstufen immer wieder trainiert werden

 

Dieses E-Buch bietet bunt gestreute Texte aus verschiedenen Themenkreisen für interessante Readings; zum Selbstlernen, für Schüler, für Lehrer.

E-book with various readings in English.

 

English as a foreign language, worldwide spoken and accepted, is irreplaceable in today's life.

 

In order to be able to participate in real life, as well as the grammatical and basic structure of a language, fluency, comprehension and reading comprehension are important to understand radio news, movies, music, TV shows and to read books, articles in magazines or on the internet. Writing skills should also be trained, because they will be tested for language certificates such as Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS etc.

 

Within an effective language class, reading texts should be trained again and again at all levels.

 

This e-book offers texts from various topics for interesting readings; for self-study, for pupils, and for teachers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Dec 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9783736894006

Book preview

Let`s get started!

Englisch als Fremdsprache, weltweit gesprochen und akzeptiert, unersetzlich im heutigen Leben.

Um am wirklichen Leben teilhaben zu können, sind außer Grammatik und Grundstruktur einer Sprache ebenso Redeflüssigkeit, Hörverständnis und Leseverständnis wichtig, um z. B. Radionachrichten, Filme, Musik, TV-Shows verstehen und Bücher, Artikel in Zeitschriften oder im Internet lesen zu können. Ebenfalls sollten die Schreibfähigkeiten trainiert werden, denn auch sie werden in Sprachtests wie Cambridge, TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS etc. überprüft.

Lesetexte („readings") sollten mehrfach gelesen werden, am besten mit lauter Stimme. Viele Schüler müssen Texte nochmals leise lesen, um sie besser verstehen zu können; dies ist vollkommen normal. Nicht verstandene Worte sollten nun mit Textmarker oder Bleistift markiert werden, um danach ihre Bedeutung herauszufinden (Wörterbuch, Internet-Translater) und den Text insgesamt zu verstehen.

Greifen Sie als Sprachlehrer Fragen aus dem Text heraus, um einerseits das Textverständnis zu kontrollieren und andererseits Redeflüssigkeit und Spontanität der Schüler zu fördern. Lassen Sie bei Gruppen niemanden aus, sprechen Sie Schüler direkt an: „What do you think about it?, „Is that right?, „Why do you think so?" etc.

Texte können kopiert und in Stücke geschnitten werden, um sie danach von den Sprachschülern in der richtigen Reihenfolge zusammensetzen zu lassen.

Man kann ebenfalls einen Teil des Textes (Anfang, Mittelstück, Schlussteil) herausnehmen und von den Schülern selbst schreiben lassen.

Lassen Sie Ihre Sprachschüler eine neue Überschrift oder Untertitel finden.

Wie wäre es mit „Leserkommentaren"? Sie sehen schon: Es gibt unzählige Möglichkeiten, mit Texten zu arbeiten, egal ob mit Anfängern oder Fortgeschrittenen.

Fast alle readings besitzen am Ende einige Ideen („exercises") zum zweckmäßigen Arbeiten.

And now: Let`s get started! Have fun

Being Active at Night (walking/running/biking)The top aerobic exercises are walking, running, cycling and skating)

The top aerobic exercises are walking, running, cycling and skating. Fantastic cardiovascular exercises to lose fat, get in shape and stay fit. You can practice indoors or outdoors.

There are two fundamental points of importance: you have to enjoy it and it has to be safe, especially when you are going to practice at night. As there is a double risk for accidents at night, the most important, whatever sport you'll do: make yourself visible (day and night!). Don't let darkness spoil your exercise; but do take precautions.

Wear bright-colored, reflecting clothing (reflective high tech fabrics, safety vests, reflective tape or straps, shoes with reflecting details all with the purpose of making you highly visible at night. You can purchase glow sticks and flashing dog collars, too. Traffic can give you a hard time, though. If you consider some simple suggestions your night time athletics won't be hazardous but fun. Better mention again: Obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.

When riding a bike:

Ride on the right side of the road Make sure to use hand signals for turning and stopping Always wear a helmet. It should be comfortable, fit well and meet Snell or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. Have the correct bike size and keep your bike (incl. all mechanical parts, tires etc.) in good condition. No biking without lighting!! This is a must: white front light, red rear reflector (LED is best), possibly side reflectors. Flashing head lights are available for helmets too. A bell is also a good idea. When biking with a group, ride in one single file with minimum one bike length apart, don't weave. Keep both hands on the handlebars. Always be alert for vehicle drivers not seeing you or opening car doors. Slow down, give the right of way, walk your bike (when crossing) or even stop if necessary. Ride your bicycle only on authorized streets/highways, never on high-speed freeways or Interstate highways. Use bicycle paths whenever possible. Never hold onto another bicycle or any vehicle while riding a bicycle. Beware of drain or sewer gratings as they can stop you violently. Watch out for bumps, rocks, sand, mud, ice, oil, cans, bottles, leaves or soft shoulders, which can make your bike slip. Other dangers are low tree branches and traffic signs.

The local police department put together some further safety tips & warnings for outdoor exercise

Avoid walking or running alone, especially at night. Take human or canine company along with you! Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. Confine walking or running to well lit, regularly traveled walks and pathways, like neighborhood or school tracks. Avoid short-cuts and stay away from bushes, alleys, or other areas where an assailant might be hiding in the dark. Do not wear headphones. Carry a whistle and a flashlight. If you are approached by a suspicious person or vehicle, run away in the opposite direction. Try to get a description of the person or license tag number and report the incident immediately to Campus Safety or the Police Department. Alter your walking or running schedule so there is no set pattern or time established. No need to be nervous, but you should always be alerted.

EXERCISE:

Experienced trainer reveals own tips: …

Tell about your favorite sport: …

What do you prefer: Running, biking or walking? Why?

Yoga for seniors

Many people come to yoga in search of new values, looking for peace and illumination, physical exercises and self knowledge. This is not surprising, as Yoga is easy to do and it’s a strong self-help method of total relaxing for people of all ages and abilities. Executing asanas and pranayamas is just a small part of the whole magnificent world of yoga with its many styles.

Yoga means union, union of mind and body, spiritual illumination and own perfection finally. It’s one of the world’s oldest branches in spiritual and physical exploration, started over 3,000 years ago in Tibet and India with the roots in philosophy and meditation.

For us today it’s a popular form of fitness that’s useful and beneficial for everyone, especially seniors who want to maintain flexibility and strength as they age.

Getting old means the body dries out, leaving us with wrinkles, thinning hair and skinny legs and/or serious disturbances like arthritis, sciatica, varicose veins, backaches, headaches, insomnia, constipation, confusion and memory loss in later years.

Our senior population is growing rapidly, living longer and in higher quality, but besides this suffering from muscular shortening, tightening and weakening, loss of flexibility and balance. As well inactivity can lead to heart diseases and osteoporosis, poor blood circulation, and can become a vicious cycle.

Chances associated with aging can be decrease in strength/cardiovascular capacity/metabolic rate/flexibility/reaction time, higher risk of osteoporosis (especially in menopausal women), connective tissue shortens and results in less stability and mobility, leg speed/strength of stride are reduced, sense of touch and pain sensitivity can be impaired and make us unaware when we exert too much pressure on a vulnerable joint.

Yoga can be the key out off this cycle as it has been shown to help alleviate or reduce many of these health problems and it can slow and reverse the aging process. Traditional classes sometimes can cause more harm that good and though the degeneration of the body sets some practice of milder forms of exercise without undergoing a high level of physical stress, such as: swimming, biking, stretching, Pilates, brisk walking instead of jogging and above all: yoga.

A lot of senior groups are formed basically by housewives, liberal professionals, retired teachers etc. They could be trained at any time of the day, preferably twice a week. Although some prefer more private, particular lessons.

Good teachers modify sun salutations, sitting poses, twists and other asanas, often with the aid of a chair or with props like Swiss balls, blankets, towels, brooms or even empty soda bottles, always paying attention on full breathing.

Since everyone is unique, it’s always recommended to listen to your inner voice and how you feel and respect your own limits.

Teaching yoga to seniors asks the teacher to

keep the class size small

cue body alignment and posture

reduce time of length for which an asana is held

use English terms instead of the more difficult Sanskrit labels

train your participants to focus their gaze on a spot to assist balance

always stretch 2 sides

barefoot, in comfortable clothes and on a non-slippery surface

focus on participants’ success, praise their efforts

offer various options for each pose

don’t be afraid to use even unconventional props to assist balance and body alignment

focus on poses with stretch and strengthening

do not perform lots of complicated poses, but include at least one

pose that is a bit more challenging as well as light form if necessary

a complete medical exam)

Of course: maintain proper fitness etiquette all the times!

have patience

mention contra-indications

it’s always advisable to ask doctor before start exercising (best: have

get a term of responsibility incl. sicknesses, habits, goals etc. filled out and signed and do regular check-ups of it

always concentrate on full breathing to keep the energy prana flowing

The benefits can be incredible:

Diabetes: decreases blood sugar levels approx. 10 %

Lungs: improves lung capacity approx. 10 % and relieves 70 % of breathing difficulties in 30 minutes

Hypertension: decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure and also resting heart rate.

Decreases sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides

Benefits all organs

Protects against coronary heart diseases

Excess weight: fights typical increase of 1 pound per year between the age of 45 and 55

Chronic pain: alleviates and reduces, improvement after 4 weeks training

Indicated for arthritis, bursitis, sciatica, varicose veins, rheumatism and vision problems

Mood/anxiety: improves

Osteoporosis: strengthens bones, helps in menopause

Insomnia: enables to sleep peaceful

Increases stamina and energy level

Slows aging process

Improves muscle tone, endurance and strength more than 100 % in 8 weeks increases stamina and energy levels

Prevents joints, tendons and ligaments from stiffing up, promoting a greater range of movement

Improves balance and agility, reduces risks of injuries associated from falls or slips

Improves parasympathic nervous system and its whole operation

Improves self-image and confidence

Decreases stress and tension levels with the release of bodily hormones, calms

Overall sense of well-being and achievement...the list is immense.

It’s possible to prevent perhaps as much as 50 % of functional decline by participating in regular yoga exercises. Gently yoga is safe, gradual and effective, exhilarating and encoring. The lifts, bends and other movements for the whole body have to be adjusted to fit each person’s unique need and can be done in bed, a chair, and wheelchair, bathtub, while lying down, sitting or standing.

Here are some suggested poses for an active senior Yoga class:

Breathing technique Kapalabhati for cleansing, replenishing and warming

Eays pose Sukhasana (straightens spine, slows down metabolism, promotes

inner tranquillity)

Cat pose Bidalasana (helps the back)

Downward dog pose Ardho Mukha Shvanasana (improves spine flexibility,

stretches hips, middle and lower body, prevents back problems. Remember: DO NOT USE with back pain or back injuries!)

Warrior position Virabhadrasana

Prayer posture Anjali mudra

Half spinal twist Ardha Marsyendrasana (lengthens and strengthens spine,

for kidneys and adrenal glands)

Locust pose Salabhasana (works on upper back, targets abdominal, arms and legs)

Inverted poses (work on cardiovascular system up to steady state)

Wind relieving pose Pavanamuktasana

Corpse pose Savasana (classic relaxation, final relaxation)

If you come out off breath simply relax in corpse pose until breathing has returned to normal.

A lot of positions (e.g. Ardho Mukha Svanasana, Urdha Mukha Svanasana,

Uttanasana, Anjali mudra etc.) can be chair-positions, too. Please put a pillow under dangling feet.

As well it’s recommended for seniors to begin their yoga exercise with slow, controlled motions. This phase can last for several weeks or longer depending on the individual. Warm up exercises like twists, arm swings, arches and stretches. Rotations (legs/feet, arms/hands) integrating breathing are a perfect preparation either in a standing position or sitting down.

Before embarking on any fitness program including yoga, it is always advisable having a medical check ups, especially if the person has been sedentary or has either (current) injuries or hereditary medical conditions.

Yoga for seniors can be an enormous challenge with lots of rewards and a great happiness as if they increase their vitality, opportunities and social contacts too. Aging is inevitable, but we can improve this process with yoga. It’s never to late to get started.

By the way: in India a senior/advanced yoga teacher must be at least fifty to qualify prestigious title and experience. Something to think about…

EXERCISE:

Have you ever tried yoga? Why or why not?

Describe your favorite yoga exercise: …

The principles of nutrition

The process by which insoluble food is broken down into soluble compounds is called digestion. It takes place in the mouth, in the stomach, in the small and in the large intestine.

Storage of food happens when the quantity of food is in excess of the amount required by the body. During the day you should eat

6 to 11 servings of bread, rice, cereals, pasta (carbohydrates for endurance)

3 to 5 servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruits (vitamins and nutrients)

2 to 3 servings of meat, fish, nuts, eggs (protein), 2 to 3 servings of milk (protein and calcium) and fat/oil/sweets sparingly. This is called food guide pyramid (published by USDA US Department of agriculture)

and recommends strongly 58 % carbohydrates, 30 % of proteins, and 12 % fats for a normal person, more for athletes.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. This category of food includes sugars, starches and fibers. The liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar), which is used for energy by the body. Carbos are classified simple or complex, depending on the chemical structure and reflects how quickly the sugar is digested and absorbed. They are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. Excess is stored as fat!

Proteins are complex organic compounds. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. Protein is the main component of muscles, organs and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids, except bile and urine, contain protein. Children and adolescents need protein for growth and development. Proteins are described as essential and nonessential proteins or amino acids. The human requires approximately 20 amino acids for the synthesis of its proteins. The body can make only 13 of the amino acids – these are known as nonessential amino acids. There are 9 essential amino acids that are obtained only from food, and not made in the body. If the protein in a food supplies enough of the essential amino acids, it is called a complete protein.

Proteins perform as well several important functions, such as blood sugar, bones, hair, nails and chemical reactions.

Hydration is very important for numerous functions, well being and life. Remember: at least 8 cups (200 ml) of water per day, more while exercising or in hard conditions.

Vitamins are essential substances that must be consumed because the body is unable to manufacture them. They are required to maintain health and normal body functions and to prevent diseases. Some recommendations by the AHA (American Health Association):

Vitamin A for eyes, immune system (found in milk, eggs, liver, orange or green vegetables)

Vitamin C for cells, blood, bones, teeth, gums (in red berries, fruits and veggies)

for example 90 mg per day for men/75 for women

Vitamin D for bones (produced when sunlight falls on the skin)

Vitamin E (antioxidant) for cells (in many vegetables and whole grains)

Vitamin B 12 builds DNA (in fish, red meat, milk etc.)

Vitamin B 6 for brain and nerves (in nuts, seeds, bananas, beans etc.)

Vitamin B 1 Thiamin for energy, heart, muscles and nervous system (in bread, cereals, beans, pasta, soy products etc.)

Vitamin B 2 Riboflavin for red blood cells and energy (in meat, vegetables, nuts and dairy products)

Vitamin B 3 Niacin for energy and digestion (in red meat, fish, poultry)

Vitamin B 9 Folid/folic acid for red blood cells and DNA (in green veggies, citrus fruits etc.)

(The vitamins A,D,E,K are fat-soluble).

4 % of the body mass consists of