SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is the collective of online communications channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.

Websites and applications dedicated to forums,microblogging, social networking, social bookmarking, social curation, and wikis are among the different types of social media.

Here are some prominent examples of social media:

• Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues. According to statistics from the Nielsen Group, Internet users within the United States spend more time on Facebook than any other website.
• Twitter is a free microblogging service that allows registered members to broadcast short posts called tweets. Twitter members can broadcast tweets and follow other users' tweets by using multiple platforms and devices.
• Google+ (pronounced Google plus) is Google's social networking project, designed to replicate the way people interact offline more closely than is the case in other social networking services. The project’s slogan is “Real-life sharing rethought for the web.”
• Wikipedia is a free, open content online encyclopedia created through the collaborative effort of a community of users known as Wikipedians. Anyone registered on the site can create an article for publication; registration is not required to edit articles. Wikipedia was founded in January of 2001.
• LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. The goal of the site is to allow registered members to establish and document networks of people they know and trust professionally.
• Reddit is a social news website and forum where stories are socially curated and promoted by site members. The site is composed of hundreds of sub-communities, known as "subreddits." Each subreddit has a specific topic such as technology, politics or music. Reddit site members, also known as, "redditors," submit content which is then voted upon by other members. The goal is to send well-regarded stories to the top of the site's main thread page.
• Pinterest is a social curation website for sharing and categorizing images found online. Pinterest requires brief descriptions but the main focus of the site is visual. Clicking on an image will take you to the original source, so, for example, if you click on a picture of a pair of shoes, you might be taken to a site where you can purchase them. An image of blueberry pancakes might take you to the recipe; a picture of a whimsical birdhouse might take you to the instructions.

Brian Solis created the following social media chart, known as the conversation prism, to categorize social sites and services into various types of social media.

WRITING ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

Read the text and write the main ideas for you, in your own words.

THE UNIVERSITY: A NEW EXPERIENCE

It isn’t like high school

You've probably heard this one before, but I really need to emphasise just how true it is. No one's going to be calling home if you don’t show up – you have to get your butt in those lecture seats yourself!

All of your study is going to be more self-driven than ever before. No one's going to give you reminders about homework (unless you have a particularly kind tutor). 

At university you're in charge of your own learning, and you're only going to get out as much as you put in. You’re also going to have a lot more free time, but that doesn’t mean you can just slack off! Which brings me to...

Balancing your free time between work, study and your own 'me' time isn’t as easy as it sounds. University requires a lot more study than high school, and there are a lot more homework assignments.

If you have a break in between your classes, it might be a good chance to grab a bite to eat, get some coffee and take a look at your textbooks to pass the time. The earlier you get things done, the more time you’ll have to yourself later! You'll also stress out less, rather than realising you have five assignments due the next day.

Eat properly

A lot of the time I was too busy studying or doing homework to sit down and have a proper meal. Did I ever regret that later on!

It’s impossible to concentrate on an empty stomach, so remember to always get something to eat whenever you're starting to feel hungry. Keep in mind that the food at university can be a little on the expensive side, so try throwing in a vegemite sandwich every other day so you don't burn a hole in your wallet.

It may seem a little cheesy, but a good diet is the best way to stay focused in class. Most importantly, don't forget to keep a bottle of water with you during the day so you can keep hydrated, too.

Don't be afraid to ask for help

Your lectures may seem pretty intimidating, with hundreds of people all sitting in the one room, but your lecturers and tutors all understand how intimidating it can be, because at some stage they were first-year students themselves.

Never hesitate to ask if you need to know something or if you need something repeated. And if you ever get lost or aren't sure where to find something, just ask a fellow student where to go! The worst thing they might say is, 'I’m not sure.'

READING TECHNIQUES: SKIMMING AND SCANNING

SKIMMING  AND SCANNING

Skimming and scanning are two techniques to help you speed up your reading in the test. Practice these skills before the test and you should see your scores improving.

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SKIMMING

How to skim

• Don’t read every single word, just try and get the gist.
• Pay attention to the first sentence of a paragraph. This topic sentence should tell you what the paragraph is all about.
• After the topic sentence, only look for important bits of information such as dates, names or events.

​Remember, if you skim you are probably missing lots of details so make sure you go back and read more carefully before you write an answers on your answer paper. This technique helps you get a general idea of the text and later locate specific information.

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SCANNING

Scanning is when you only look for details in the text.
​
You need to skim read first to get a general idea of the text. Then read the questions. After that you are ready to scan the text in order to find specific details.
​

How to scan

• Skim first to find where in the text the answer you are looking for is likely to be.
• Predict from the question what type of information or word you are looking for.
• Using your finger helps focus your attention and make sure you don’t miss the word as you go over the text.

---

​Make sure you use these techniques when you are Reading.

Read this please

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/factsheet/en05skim-e3-f-skimming-and-scanning 

https://www.stetson.edu/administration/academic-success/media/SKIMMING%20&%20SCANNING.pdf

CONNECTORS

CONNECTORS

They have the same meaning of a conjunction but differ in

their function. Difference between conjunction and 

connectors: Conjunctions are used to connect a

noun with another noun; two independent clauses;

different sentences; a group of words.

Connectors are used to connect a large groups of words;

phrases; sentences.

Types of Connectors

Connectors show the relationship between the ideas

in two clauses. There are 3 kinds of connectors

that we use to join clauses in sentences.

They are coordinators, subordinators, and

transitions.

Coordinators are used to join two independent clauses.

The coordinators are and, for, so, but, yet, or and nor.

Usually a comma is put before the coordinator.

Examples:

The office is closed for the next two days,

but you can still phone to leave a message.

I forgot my computer disc, so I will have

to hand in my assignment late.

Subordinators join a dependent clause to an

independent clause.

Examples of subordinators are before, when,

if, because and although.

They are used before the dependent clause.

They can be used in two positions:

1) The subordinator and dependent clause

can come before the independent clause with a comma.

When the bell rang, the students ran to the

sky-train station.

2) The subordinator and dependent clause can

come after the independent clause with no comma.

The students ran to the sky-train station when the bell rang.

Transitions are used between two independent clauses.

Examples of transitions are however, besides,

nevertheless, and furthermore. After the first clause,

use either a semi-colon or a period, then the transition,

then a comma, and then the second clause.

Examples:

The students laughed; however, the instructor was

not trying to be funny.

The students laughed. However, the instructor

was not trying to be funny.

Jane decided to take classes during the summer.

She wanted to enjoy the city in summer. Besides,

she didn’t have enough money to go on a trip.

Meanings for Connectors

Connectors express many different relationships

between ideas. This section describes different

purposes for connectors. It also lists words that

show each relationship and gives examples of

some of those words in use. These are the

purposes for the various connectors:

 To Add Another Idea: and (COORDINATORS),

furthermore, moreover, besides, also, in addition

(TRANSITIONS)

 To Restate, Explain or Emphasize an Idea: that is,

in other words, in fact, actually, namely (TRANSITIONS

 To Give an Example: for example for instance

to illustrate (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show a Choice: o, r nor (COORDINATORS)

 To Show a Difference but (COORDINATORS),

while, whereas, though (SUBORDINATORS),

in contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand,

instead, however, still, otherwise (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show the Opposite of What You Might

Expect: yet (COORDINATORS), although, though,

even though, (SUBORDINATORS), nevertheless,

admittedly, even so, nonetheless, (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show a Similarity: just as, as (SUBORDINATORS),

similarly, likewise, in the same way (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show a Cause or Reason: for (COORDINATORS),

because, since, as, now that, as long as (SUBORDINATORS),

 To Show a Result or Effect: so (COORDINATORS),

as a result, consequently, as a consequence, therefore,

thus, hence, accordingly (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show a Time Relationship: before, after, when,

whenever, while, as soon as, until, as, since, the moment

that, once (SUBORDINATORS), previously, subsequently,

finally, afterward, meanwhile, first, second, etc. after that,

next, since then, then, at first, (TRANSITIONS)

 To Show a Condition: Or (COORDINATORS), if, even if,

unless, when, whenever (SUBORDINATORS),

CONNECTORS

Here you have a list of connectors, you can visit it, in order to see some of them:

http://www.dcf.ds.mpg.de/fileadmin/allgemein/interna/informationsmaterial/List_of_Connectors.pdf

ACTIVITY

Choosing Connectors

In this exercise, you will choose connectors that fit both the meaning of the paragraph and the punctuation given. First, read the whole paragraph to get an overall understanding of the ideas. Then do the following:

1. Consider:

a) What is the relationship between the ideas?

b) What choice/s can you use to show that relationship?

c) Which choice/s work with the given punctuation?

2. Write the best connector in the blank.

"Peace Prize a well-deserved honour" *

Kwangari Maathai, Kenyan deputy environment minister, won the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2004. This is a wonderful achievement. She is the first African woman to win the prize; (1) (furthermore/ on the other hand / but) _____________, she won the prize for doing something wonderful – protecting the environment. Preventing environmental degradation is essential to world security and world peace, (2) (in contrast / so / actually) ____________ the recognition of the Nobel selection committee is very important. Environmentalists tend to focus on nature; (3) (as a result / nevertheless / in fact) ____________ , they must also recognize the importance of social justice and peace in protecting nature. A starving person who comes across an edible plant or animal, (4) (for instance / besides / instead) ________________, will not pause and wonder whether it is endangered. (5) (In the same way / On the contrary / If) ______________, those living without justice or under conditions of terror, genocide or war, must worry about survival above all. (6) (In addition / So / Consequently) ____________, these issues must also be addressed (7) (if / since / just as) __________ we are to   protect nature. Droughts, extreme weather events, expanding disease vectors and the scarcity of fresh water are some of the expected problems in the future. These stresses will create “environmental refugees” and conflicts over natural resources. (8) (When / On the contrary / As a consequence) ____________, environmental issues are essential to world security and world peace. Environmental security and national security are intricately connected. (9) (However / Likewise / Whereas) ________________, environmental health and public health cannot be separated.

READING COMPREHENSION FOR 11

ACTIVITY
Read the text and answer the questions

Child Labour

Child workers, some as young as 10, have been found working in a textile 1) __________ in conditions described as close to slavery to produce clothes that appear destined for one the major high street 2) __________.

Speaking to a British newspaper, the children described long hours of 3) __________ work and threats and beatings. The company said it was unaware that clothing intended for its 4) __________ had been improperly 5) __________ to a 6) __________ that used child labour. It further announced it had withdrawn the garments involved until it had investigated the alleged 7) __________ of the 8) __________ code it imposed on manufacturers three years ago.

The discovery of these children working in appalling conditions in the Shahpur Jat area of Delhi has renewed concerns about the 9) __________ by some large retail chains of their 10) __________ production to India, recognised by the United Nations as one of the worlds's hotspots for child labour. According 11) __________one 12) __________, over 20 per cent of India's economy is 13) __________ on children, which comes to a total of 55 million youngsters under 14 working.

14) __________ in the West should not only be demanding answers from retailers about how their 15) __________ are produced but also should be looking into their consciences at how they spend their money and whether cheap prices in the West are worth the suffering caused to so many children.

1 -

a. facility

b. factory

c. office

d. bureau

2 -

a. warehouse

b. retailer

c. warehouses

d. retailers

3 -

a. inpaid

b. unpaid

c. without pay

d. without payment

4 -

a. warehouses

b. stores

c. outlet

d. branch

5 -

a. outsource

b. outsourcing

c. outsources

d. outsourced

6 -

a. association

b. sweatshop

c. closed shop

d. retailer

7 -

a. breaches

b. errors

c. mistakes

d. wrongdoings

8 -

a. ethic

b. ethnic

c. ethical

d. ethnical

9 -

a. outsource

b. outsourcing

c. outsources

d. outsourced

10 -

a. garment

b. raiment

c. garments

d. raiments

11 -

a. by

b. to

c. of

d. from

12 -

a. estimate

b. estimating

c. estimates

d. estimated

13 -

a. depends

b. dependent

c. dependant

d. dependence

14 -

a. Consume

b. Consumption

c. Consumer

d. Consumers

15 -

a. stuff

b. ware

c. goods

d. garment

AIRBUS CRISIS OVER

Airbus says it has turned the corner after a crisis connected to production problems and turmoil in the boardroom at its A380 super-jumbo project that has gone on for the past year. Speaking at the Paris air show, Louis Gallois, CEO of the European planemaker, said, "Airbus is back."

Airbus, which announced a raft of orders on the first day of the show, is competing with Boeing, its American rival, for the title of the largest planemaker in the world.

Boeing is expected to reveal the numbers of orders for its 787 Dreamliner soon. Airbus orders unveiled on Monday included Qatar Airways confirming a $16bn order for 80 A350 Airbus planes and ordering three A380 super-jumbos for about $750m.

Boeing and Airbus are also competing for orders from aircraft leasing firms. Orders from these companies - who rank highly among the biggest global buyers of aircraft - are often regarded as an indication of how successful a model will be in the long term.

Airbus also secured orders from US Airways that are worth $10bn for 22 of its A350 jets, 60 A320s and ten of its A330-200 wide-body planes.

A few months ago, Airbus unveiled a major cost-cutting programme aiming to reduce the workforce in Europe by 10,000, as well as announcing a group restructuring. "I can tell you with full confidence that Airbus is back and fully back, as you have started noting yesterday as demonstrated by our first day announcements," said Mr Gallois on the second day of the air show.

However, Boeing also announced a deal with General Electric (GE) on the show's first day. GE's commercial aviation services placed an order for six 777 Boeing freighters valued at around $1.4bn, to be delivered in the last quarter of 2008.

A Wall Street Journal website report, quoting the Delta operating chief yesterday said that Delta Air Lines were on the verge of ordering as many as 125 Boeing 787 jetliners by the end of this year. However, a spokesman for Delta later said that it had been having conversations "with several aircraft makers" and that "no final decision" had been made on future fleet purchases. 

QUESTIONS

1- The problems at Airbus

a. have been resolved completely.

b. are well on their way to being sorted out.

c. are far from resolved.

2 - Airbus announced

a. a large number of orders on the first day of the show.

b. some orders on the first day of the show.

c. a few orders on the first day of the show.

3 - Qatar Airways ordered

a. 83 planes on Monday.

b. 80 planes on Monday.

c. 3 planes on Monday.

4 - US Airways

a. placed an order for the new super-jumbo.

b. didn't place an order for the new super-jumbo.

c. may have placed an order for the new super-jumbo.

5 - Boeing

a. announced sales of the Dreamliner.

b. may sell some Dreamliners to General Electric.

c. may sell some Dreamliners to Delta Air Lines.

6 - The Wall Street Journal website report

a. was definitely correct.

b. was possibly correct.

c. was definitely wrong.

ACTIVITY REPORTED SPEECH FOR 11

REPORTED SPEECH

Related to time expressions is important to considerate this table

Here's a table of some possible conversions:

now	then / at that time
today	yesterday / that day / Tuesday / the 27th of June
yesterday	the day before yesterday / the day before / Wednesday / the 5th of December
last night	the night before, Thursday night
last week	the week before / the previous week
tomorrow	today / the next day / the following day / Friday

ACTIVITY

Finish the given sentences in reported speech.

1.    John: "Mandy is at home."

John said (that)

2.    Max: "Frank often reads a book."

Max told me (that)

3.    Susan: "I'm watching TV."

Susan said to me (that)

4.    Simon: "David was ill."

Simon said (that)

5.    Peggy: "The girls helped in the house."

Peggy told me (that)

6.    Richard: "I am going to ride my skateboard."

Richard said to me (that)

7.    Stephen and Claire: "We have cleaned the windows."

Stephen and Claire told me (that)

8.    Charles: "I didn't have time to do my homework."

Charles remarked (that)

9.    Mrs Jones: "My mother will be 50 years old."

Mrs Jones told me (that)

10. Jean: "The boss must sign the letter."

Jean said (that)

11. Tim: "She works in an office."

Tim said (that) she

12. Jessica: "I am going to clean the room."

Jessica told me (that) she

.

13. Jeff: "They like the song."

Jeff said (that) they

.

14. Ian and Marvin: "We need new shoes."

Ian and Marvin remarked (that) they

.

15. Kathy: "He can speak Spanish."

Kathy told us (that) he

.

16. Teacher: "Rachel has never been to Philadelphia."

The teacher said (that) Rachel

.

17. Lucy: "The train didn't arrive on time."

Lucy said to Gerry (that) the train

.

18. Emma: "I'm sitting on the chair."

Emma said (that) she

.

19. Nick: "Walter doesn't eat meat."

Nick told us (that) Walter

.

20. Holly: "Abby and Nathan will travel to Alaska."

Holly remarked (that) Abby and Nathan