For internediate EFL students.

1. 1. Living without electricity 2. Mobile phones - Friend or Foe? http:// efllecturer.blogspot.com / Could you live without it?

4. Reading You are going to read an article about someone who has lived for 29 years without electricity. How do you think he manages to live without electricity? How does he cook, heat the house and see in the dark? Read the text and find out Not seeing the light at Downhill By Nicola Weir BBC NI district journalist http:// efllecturer.blogspot.com / Text >

5. John faces his 29th Christmas without electricity. Two years ago, he successfully campaigned to have electricity installed along his road. But while his neighbours are enjoying their kettles, lights, washing machines and fridges, 77-year-old John McCarter is still waiting to be hooked up. The home that he's lived in since 1983 on the Seacoast Road at Downhill, close to Coleraine, is still being heated by two open coal fires, with candles providing his only light. John lives in an idyllic setting, with his home nestled under the cliffs looking out to sea, but his living conditions are far from perfect: "During the summer, brilliant. Except for the fact you haven't got a thing like a fridge, which I can live with.“ "However, when the winter comes and the temperature drops down to minus four degrees and you get out of bed in the morning, and even before you get out, you can see your breath hanging on the air - it's far from pleasant," he said. "The cooking isn't a problem, because I've got a gas cooker and that satisfies that end, but lighting is one candle and one tealight. "The candle provides the general lighting, the tealight lights up the face of the clock to let me see as the minutes tick away. "I have two open fires, one in the sitting room and one in the living room. "They're adequate provided they are burning, but the problem is you can't stay up all night to keep them alight so I usually stoke them up about 11.30pm before I go to bed, but by 3am, in the morning they're out and then the temperature just plummets. "By the time you are thinking of getting out of bed at 8am, the temperature inside is the same as outside.“ Read the rest of the article here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15763248

8. 2. Mobile phones – Friend or Foe? Discuss 1) Could you live like John? 2) Could you live without your mobile phone, smartphone, blackberry or computer? Why / Why not? 3) Are you addicted to them / Do you know anyone who is addicted? 4) What do you use your mobile phone for? Make a list of all the things you can do with it. 5) Do you know how mobile phones can affect your health? 6) Do you think that mobile phones are sometimes anti-social? Why / why not? 7) Look at the words. How many describe how you feel about your phone?. Can you think of any more?

12. Put all your ideas together and make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones.

15. Writing 1) What words or expressions can you use to start your ideas? A B C 2) What words or expressions can you use to continue or contrast your ideas? A B C 3) What words or expressions can you use to finish or conclude your ideas? A B C Answers >

16. Writing 1) What words or expressions can you use to start your ideas? Firstly, for example, for instance, (+ writing the idea as a question ) 2) What words or expressions can you use to continue or contrast your ideas? Secondly, thirdly, also, moreover, furthermore, Because, so, therefore, as a result, However, on the other hand, nevertheless, although 3) What words or expressions can you use to finish or conclude your ideas? In conclusion, to summarise, on balance, it can be seen that... , it remains to be seen..., in the opinion of this writer... http:// efllecturer.blogspot.com /

17. Look at writing introductions and planning here http://efllecturer.blogspot.com/2011/07/ielts-writing-introductions-for-task-2.html and here http://efllecturer.blogspot.com/2011/09/describing-photos-comparing-contrasting.html Write the essay – check! If you have not... 1) written an introduction 2) used paragraphs 3) used appropriate language (see above) 4) written a conclusion 5) followed the instructions then you have not finished or answered the question properly! Examples - use these practice examples to help you http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_writing2.htm http://www.ieltsonline.com.au/IELTSexpress/writing/task2/practice/03_writing_wt2_essay.asp More writing practice Write argument essays (advantages / disadvantages) about other topics e.g. computers, the internet, air transport, fast food, exams, learning a second language... http:// efllecturer.blogspot.com /

18. More reading Daily Mail How mobile addiction led us to lose our manners... BBC News Third of adults use smartphone says Ofcom report Are mobile phones safe for our children to use? Cartoon http://www.englishblog.com/2011/08/cartoon-mobile-phone-addiction.html Infographic http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk/are-you-addicted-to-your-mobile-phone.aspx