Independent Speaking/Independent Writing – Good manners

Before you answer the question:

Complaining about or showing disapproval of someone’s annoying behavior nowadays is like making a storm in a teacup: no one seems to care anymore.

Speaking your mind makes you look like the fussy one: someone who is always hard to please.

Would you consider any of these things annoying? Where would they usually happen?

• Not using the indicator
• Speeding
• Not respecting pedestrians
• Revving the engine
• Blowing/honking the horn
• Using the shoulder as a lane
• Slurping your drink
• Eating smelly food

Of course, there are many other behaviors that piss us off everyday. Here is the question at hand:

Do people from your country have good manners? Give reasons and examples to support your view.

You have two alternatives: record an answer by clicking on the Vocaroo icon below or write an answer in the Comments.

If you´re recording, don’t take more than 45 seconds.

If you’re going to write about it, write at least 300 words in 30 minutes.

If you want to do both, by all means do so.

Powered by Vocaroo Voice Recorder

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Not as efficient as we think

 

Have you ever heard of these techniques? 

• Elaborative interrogation

• Self-explanation

• Summarizing

• Highlighting/underlining

• Keyword mnemonics

• Imagery

• Re-reading

• Practice testing

• Distributed practice

• Interleaved practice

According to a recent study published on BBC, most of the techniques students use to prepare for tests are not effective – so when we think we are getting an upper hand on our studies we are actually wasting a lot of time that could be spent practicing a hobby or broadening our cultural horizons,

The question is, like anything in life, we have to find what works for us, even if that something just has a psychological effect.

So which of these techniques do you use? What other techniques do you normally resort to and how effective are they?

Which of these techniques would be useful to prepare for the TOEFL iBT?

Post your answers in the comments box.  

Recording your voice – Voxopop

To get some speaking practice going,

Your first task on Voxopop:

Click on the link here.

Create an account, wait for the approval to join the group, then record away!

The moral side of murder – lecture

Watch the video up to 5:30 and explain the morality principle according to the professor. State which side you are more inclined to and give reasons for your answer.

 

Victorian design or Feng shui

Discuss options for redesigning a college visitor center. Which model should be followed: Victorian design or the philosophy of feng shui?

Notes from the Reading passage

Victorian Design:
Filled spaces – bareness is a sign of poor taste; fill spaces with as many objects as possible; (Peninsula hotel) ornate wood furniture; tabletops, walls adorned with decorative objects, art; size, number of elements give it impressive, elegant atmosphere

Use of rich fabrics: cloth is a primary material in Victorian rooms; thick, rich, drapery compensates for lack of light; fabric on furniture; plush carpets, rugs; (Peninsula Hotel) thick draperies on windows

Decoration of walls: (Peninsula Hotel) molding, wallpaper, paint; moldings add texture, depth to already complicated interiors; results – rooms that overflow with decorative, elegant elements

The two main concepts of Feng shui: Balance and Energy Flow

Make notes on the lecture about how Feng shui has influenced Frank Lloyd Wright