Upper Intermediate Course
CK English Aulas Particulares de inglês em Uberlândia ou online no Brasil
So by now your conversation is improving and you are able to talk a lot about a variety of topics. In this course you will focus on improving your vocabulary on a wide range of topics. This course also includes a lot of reading and phrasal verbs.
Ui81
Without reading this story how do you think a guy had 600 children?
Do you know anyone that has been to a fertility clinic?
Do you think someone has ever married their brother, sister or cousin by mistake?
Without reading this story how do you think a guy had 600 children?
Ui82
What are the benefits of traveling?
Do you agree?
Do you agree?
What are the benefits of traveling?
Are there a lot of hobos in your city?
Is a person too young to write an autobiography at the age of 38?
Do you think it is strange that he changed his mind about traveling as a hobo?
Are there a lot of hobos in your city?
Reading 1
The story of Coca-Cola
Choose the word to complete the article.
Probably the best-known drink in the world
What is the most recognizable object in the world? Could it be a football? Or a Big-Mac?
No, the answer is a Coca-Cola bottle. The famous Coca-Cola bottle is over 100 years old!
Footballs and big macs are certainly part of life for lots of people, but Coca-Cola is now a permanent part of world culture. People know and drink Coca-Cola all over the world. It is said that the Coca-Cola bottle is the most recognized object in the world. Hundreds of millions of people can recognize a Coke bottle by its shape, even if they cannot see it! And the famous Coca-Cola logo is the most famous logo in the world. Unlike any other famous commercial logo, it has not changed in 100 years!
But the story of Coca-Cola is (more/even/ever) older than that. It was in 1886 (that/what/than) John Pemberton, a druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup, (using/uses/used) coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts, plus a few (others/another/other) secret ingredients! Pemberton sold it (to/as/at) a medicine; and with its coca (the source of cocaine), it must have (made/make/making) people feel good!
Nevertheless, Pemberton's medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula to (other/others/another) druggist, Asa Candler. Candler was interested, because he had another idea; he thought that Pemberton's "medicine" would (to be/been/be) better if it was mixed with soda.
Candler was thus the man who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first he sold it in his drugstore, then he began (sell/sold/selling) the syrup to other drugstores, who used it with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just (get/to get/getting) a drink of Coca-Cola.
Before long, other people became interested in the product, (including/included/inclusive) a couple of businessmen who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a license to bottle the drink, and very (quick/quickest/quickly) the men became millionaires. The famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed in 1916.
(During/While/Before) the First World War, American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Coca-Cola company began to export to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers, that they then had to start bottling the drink in Europe.
Today, Coca-Cola is made in countries all over the world, including Russia and China. It is the world's (more/most/mostly) popular drink.
As for the famous formula, it is probably the world's most valuable secret! The exact ingredients for making Coca-Cola are only (knowed/knowing/known) to a handful of people. And as for the "coca" that was in the original drink, that was eliminated in 1903. It was a drug, and too dangerous. Today's Coca-Cola contains caffeine, but not cocaine!
Copy and paste the story to your book if you want.
Ui84
After reading these are you going to try to walk more?
After reading these are you going to try to walk more?
What do you think the 10000 step myth is about?
Do you have anything that tracks your steps?
So are you going to try to increase your daily number of steps?
What do you think the 10000 step myth is about?
Ui85
What do you think is the strangest thing about Brazil?
Do you feel worried about being robbed when you walk around your city?
Do you think it was a good plan?
What do you think is the strangest thing about Brazil?
Ui86
Do you agree? What would you add?
Do you agree? What would you add?
Do you think there should be a "Single's day" like "Valentine's day"?
What is the biggest shopping day in Brazil?
What does he mean when he says "promote inclusiveness to consumers, merchants and partners across our ecosystem"? Sounds like just marketing words to me.
Do you think there should be a "Single's day" like "Valentine's day"?
Ui90
Do you think the world would be a better place if religion never existed?
Do religious people do the right thing to avoid going to hell?
Do you think the people in the Amazon, for example, were pleased to be visited by missionaries and have their standard of living improved?
Do you think the world would be a better place if religion never existed?
Do you think religions are bad?
Do you think religion promotes tribalism?
Is religion really just trying to make money?
Do you think religions are bad?
What is your religion and how religious are you?
How did you "find" your religion?
What do you think about the war in Ukraine?
What is your religion and how religious are you?
Reading 2
The story of Silicon Valley
If old America was made in New York or Detroit, modern America is made in Silicon Valley.
But what is "Silicon Valley", where is it? And why is it where it is?
It is not made of silicon and it is not a river valley, but forgetting that, Silicon Valley is probably
the most famous valley in the world. Although it is not the place where the first computer was built
(that was Manchester, England), Silicon Valley, near San Francisco, was the birthplace of the modern
computer industry.
For this, we can say thank you to scientists at the universities in California, and to the hippies of the 1960's.
It was in the nineteen-sixties that American "youth culture" really began. California, of course, already existed, but the sixties generation rediscovered it. At the time there were really two different forms of youth culture: the "Beach Boy" culture on the one hand, and the anti-establishment hippies and radical students on the other hand. And they all dreamed of California. For the beach boys, that meant southern California, where they could sing about surfing and cars. For the hippies and radicals, it meant San Francisco, "flower power" and revolutionary new ideas. The campuses at Berkeley and Stanford, near San Francisco, were hot-beds of new ideas, new technology, new culture, and new ways of living.
When they finished university, many of the best students did not look for jobs with big companies like Ford or Exxon. Instead they wanted to be free and run their own operations... and stay in California, not far from San Francisco. Silicon Valley is thus a group of small towns, including Palo Alto and San José, a few miles south of San Francisco.
The high-technology industry was already present around San Francisco. Intel had been founded in 1968, and in the same year the first computer mouse was built at Stanford University. In 1970, Xerox opened a research center in Palo Alto. There were also other electronics companies, like Hewlett Packard, and Fairchild, the world's first "semiconductor" company. Then, in 1976, an electronics student called Steve Jobs started a small computer company in his garage. He gave it the same name as the Beatles' record company: Apple. Very soon, more companies, like Seagate and Google appeared. "Silicon Valley" had arrived. There was even a sort of primitive Internet connecting many addresses in Silicon Valley, called the Arpanet.
Today, Silicon Valley is still the home of the computer industry. It is still full of high technology, but it is not the only center for high-tech in the USA. Today, there are computer firms all over the USA... and all over the world, but Silicon Valley still has the largest concentration of high-tech companies and research centers. Microsoft, the world's biggest high-tech company, is not based in Silicon Valley. It is further north, near Seattle in the state of Washington.
Copy and paste the story to your book if you want.
Ui93
Are any of these part of your hangover cure? "Hair of the dog" means having another alcoholic drink.
Are any of these part of your hangover cure? "Hair of the dog" means having another alcoholic drink.
Does beer give you hangovers?
Have you ever heard of Trappist beer?
Why do you think this beer is becoming endangered?
Does beer give you hangovers?
Ui94
How important is creativity in today's society?
Do you daydream sometimes?
Do you think you have too much stuff?
How important is creativity in today's society?
Is acid a popular drug in Brazil?
Have you ever experienced something like that?
Do you think these kinds of drugs should be legalized?
Is acid a popular drug in Brazil?
Ui96
Would you feel afraid of being on a bus alone? Is sexual harassment common in Brazil?
Have you ever been asked for your phone number by a man you didn't know? Have you ask for a woman's phone number you didn't know? Is violence against women a problem in Brazil?
Is groping a problem in crowded space in Brazil?
Would you feel afraid of being on a bus alone? Is sexual harassment common in Brazil?
Do you consider yourself to be lucky?
Are you afraid of flying?
Is she the luckiest person you know?
Do you consider yourself to be lucky?
Ui98
Would you like to visit the Amazon?
Have you seen the Amazon river?
Have you ever seen a dolphin?
Would you like to visit the Amazon?
Are you interested in the Amazon?
Would you like an adventure into the Amazon?
What do you think happened to him?
Are you interested in the Amazon?
Reading 3
Mental health
Around the world, one in four people will have some kind of mental illness during their lifetime.
Around 450 million people are living with a mental health problem right now, making it one of the
biggest health issues in the world. Yet people rarely talk about any mental health problems they have
because there is still a lot of stigma.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health (WMH) Day was first celebrated in 1992. It was created to raise awareness of just how common mental health issues are, fight against stigma and campaign for better conditions and treatment for people who have a mental health problem. The number of people and organisations involved in celebrating WMH Day has grown and grown, and now many countries, such as Australia, actually have a Mental Health Week, which includes WMH Day on 10 October. Each year there is a different theme. For example, in 2017 the theme was mental health in the workplace.
Mental health in the workplace
Employers should create an environment which supports good mental health. This also helps to reduce the number of days employees take off work. Employers should help employees to achieve a good work–life balance by encouraging them to take breaks and holidays and discouraging them from working at home in the evenings and at weekends. Employees should also feel that they can talk to their managers about any problems they might have, and employers should be supportive.
Get some exercise
Of course, we also need to look after our own mental health. Most people know that exercise is good for your body, but did you also know how good it is for your mental health? Regular exercise can really help you deal with anxiety and depression. Spending time in nature can also make people more relaxed and reduce stress. So why not get your exercise by going for a walk in a park or the countryside?
Eat well
Your diet can also change your mood. If you eat crisps, cake, chocolate, etc., your blood sugar will rise and fall, making you feel cross and tired. Make sure you are eating enough vegetables and fruit or you may be missing some nutrients you need to feel good. It’s also important to drink enough water – being thirsty can make it difficult to think clearly.
Spend time with family and friends
Everyone needs some time alone, but it’s also good for us to spend time with other people. If you feel lonely, try volunteering. It’s a good way of meeting new people, and you will feel good for helping others. One survey showed that 48 per cent of people who volunteered for more than two years said they felt less depressed as a result. If you do have close friends and family, try talking to them more about how you feel and asking them to support you. Every time someone speaks to someone else about mental illness, it helps to reduce the stigma.
What to do on World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day encourages us to be more aware of both our own mental health and other people’s. As well as looking after yourself, think about how you could support other people. For example, you could find out more about common issues such as anxiety and depression, so you will understand friends’ and colleagues’ problems better. You could also encourage your workplace to start a wellness program that would benefit everyone – they might offer free exercise classes or encourage employees to take walks at lunchtime. Companies with wellness programmes have found employees take 28 per cent less time off for sickness.
Anything you do on WMH Day, even just talking to people about it, will help us all to understand and support people better.
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Copy and paste the story to your book if you want.
Ui99
Do you know how to cook?
Are you worried about your health?
Do you worry about your weight?
Do you know how to cook?
Bran is "farelo" of cereal. Do you ever have cereal for breakfast?
Would you like to go into business with your brother or sister?
Who do you think was right in this story?
Bran is "farelo" of cereal. Do you ever have cereal for breakfast?
Ui101
Discuss each one and give your opinion and say why.
Discuss each one and give your opinion and say why.
What do you think the story will be about?
Would you trust this guy?
Do you think he deserves 25 years in prison?
What do you think the story will be about?
Ui102
Do you like wine?
Have you ever been to a vineyard or wine farm?
Do you want some wine now?
Do you like wine?
Have you ever had French wine?
Apart from French wine, what else do you think will be a thing of the past?
What do you drink when celebrating or commiserating?
Have you ever had French wine?
Ui103
Do you think it is common for married couples to pretend to be happier than they are?
What is the picture trying to say? How important is money in a relationship?
Do you ever see couples like this in a restaurant?
Do you think it is common for married couples to pretend to be happier than they are?
Do you agree with each one?
Do you agree with each one?
Are you married? How old were you when you got married? Why did you get married?
Do you know anyone that you think married for money?
Do you think he deserves more than 7 years in jail?
Are you married? How old were you when you got married? Why did you get married?
Ui105
What do you know about Thailand?
Have you had Thai food?
What do you think of people riding elephants?
What do you know about Thailand?
Look at this picture! What do you think the story is going to be about?
What is the average about of children families have in Brazil?
What crazy idea do you think could make a difference in Brazil?
Look at this picture! What do you think the story is going to be about?
Ui106
Do you know how to make Feijoada?
Which is one different? Which others would you add?
What is missing? What do you think of Jamie Olivier's recipe?
Do you know how to make Feijoada?
There is an expression in English "That's the way the cookie crumbles" which means "Those are the consequences or that's what happens"
What is the American diet known for? What food could be a "turn on"? 😂
Have you ever heard of the Graham cracker?
There is an expression in English "That's the way the cookie crumbles" which means "Those are the consequences or that's what happens"
Reading 4
Veganism
‘All life deserves respect, dignity and compassion. All life.’ – Anthony Douglas Williams
What is veganism and what do vegans do?
Vegans try to live, as much as possible, in a way that avoids exploiting and being cruel to animals. This means
following a plant-based diet. Vegans do not eat animals or animal-based products like meat, fish, seafood, eggs,
honey and dairy products such as cheese. For many vegans, living a committed vegan lifestyle means not wearing
clothes made from animal skins and avoiding any products which have been tested on animals.
How are vegans different from vegetarians?
Vegetarians don’t eat meat or fish but they can eat eggs, honey and dairy products, but vegans don’t eat any animal-based food products. Vegans argue that suffering is caused in the production of these foods, for example they say that, on some dairy farms, male calves are killed because they are too expensive to keep, and on some farms, cows are killed when they get older and produce less milk. Similarly, on some egg farms, male chicks are killed because they do not produce eggs. As for honey, vegans say that bees make honey for bees, not for humans, and that bees’ health can suffer when humans take the honey from them. Vegans believe that the products they use and consume should be free from not just cruelty but any exploitation of animals.
When did veganism start?
The Vegan Society was founded in 1944, but there is evidence of people deciding not to consume animal products over 2,000 years ago. The sixth-century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras was in favour of kindness to all species, and his diet could be described as vegetarian. There was a tradition of vegetarianism in the Indus Valley, Babylonian and ancient Egyptian civilisations even earlier. The Vegan Society points out that in 1806, the famous romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the first people to publicly object to eating eggs and dairy products on moral grounds.
Why do many people decide to become vegan?
For many people, the main reason for going vegan is probably that they believe that animals and all other sentient beings should have the right to life and freedom. However, there are other reasons. Vegans argue that the production of meat and other animal products is very bad for the environment. They point out that a huge quantity of water is needed to grow grain to feed animals in the meat industry. The enormous amount of grain which the meat industry needs often leads to forests being cut down and habitats being lost. In contrast, much lower quantities of grain and water are needed to sustain a vegan diet. In addition, many vegans say that all the nutrients our bodies need are contained in a carefully planned vegan diet and that this type of diet helps prevent some diseases.
What is World Vegan Day?
On 1 November every year, vegans all over the world celebrate their way of life. There are workshops, exhibitions and public debates on World Vegan Day, and it is a wonderful opportunity for anybody thinking of becoming a vegan to learn more about the subject.
Copy and paste the story to your book if you want.
Ui108
1. Do you think that insects can communicate between species? 2. Do you have a good work-life balance? Are you more like the grasshopper or the ant?
1. Do you think the ant gave the grasshopper some food? 2. Do you save money every month? Do you have a private retirement fund?
1. Do you think that insects can communicate between species? 2. Do you have a good work-life balance? Are you more like the grasshopper or the ant?
Do you know what insect this is?
Would you eat an insect?
Stir-fry... that sounds delicious!
Do you know what insect this is?
