lunes, 18 de diciembre de 2023

Hot bedding

The simple act of sleeping in a bed has taken a new and extreme turn we did not see coming. Strangers can now share a sleeping space in a new bedtime arrangement known as “hot bedding.” 

Living on your own has become more of a financial burden than ever, so students and young adults are opting for a choice that might look strange from the outside. However, “hot bedding” prevents them from dealing with the soaring prices for rent. 

Hot bedding is similar to the common modern office arrangement known as “hot desking.” It allows employees to not have assigned desks or workstations. Instead, individuals can choose any available desk or workspace within a shared office environment on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

However, when you put a bed and two strangers into the mix, the new arrangement becomes “hot bedding.” For this, two strangers share a bed, but they don’t sleep in the bed at the same time. Instead, they get the bed to themselves, each taking shifts.

We all want our own bed to rest in after a long day. But this method has been financially logical for some people, especially individuals who have completely different lifestyles and careers. 

Along with this sleeping arrangement that allows you to save some cash in the bank, it can impact your privacy and comfort when a stranger invades that space. 

However, Shariff, sleep expert and founder of Owl +Lark, said this might work for you if you like to meet new people and your job requires you to move around a lot, while also cutting down on expenses. 

“Some people might find comfort and companionship in sharing a bed, while others might feel more stressed and uncomfortable,” he said “It’s important to gauge your own needs and preferences before diving into this sleeping arrangement.” He also said that to make this arrangement beneficial for you and your well-being, it’s important to establish boundaries with the other person.

“Make sure to discuss issues such as personal space, temperature preferences, and any other factors that may affect your quality of sleep,” he said. “Additionally, it is crucial to be considerate of each other’s hygiene practices, such as showering before bed and keeping the sleeping area clean.” 

With some considerations to bear in mind, it’s important to think about if this will fit into your lifestyle and satisfy your needs.

Question 1: (2 points). Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer. No points will be given if the evidence is not correct.

a)      In “hot desking” you have to book a place in advance.

b)      With “hot bedding”, people use the bed at the same time.

c)       Hot bedding is used by people from all walks of life.

d)      Hot bedding can be good if you feel lonely.

Question 2: (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

            a)      What rules are mentioned in the text if we want hot bedding to work well?

            b)      What are the positive aspects of hot bedding?

            c)       What are the negative aspects of hot bedding?

Question 3: (1,5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5 points.

           a)      load (par.2)

           b)      rising (par.2)

           c)       to reduce (par.7)

           d)      to measure (par.8)

           e)      limit (par.8)

           f)        significant (par.9)

Question 4: (1,5 points) Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet.

1)      Hot bedding…

a)      is a long-awaited phenomenon.

b)      came as a surprise to people.

c)       was expected to happen

d)      had been claimed by people for ages.

2)      Hot bedding…

a)      is the solution to housing problems.

b)      help people lighten costs.

c)       will give people a lot of money.

d)      is very expensive.

 

3)      Hot bedding…

a)      is an easy decision to make.

b)      is the worst decision you can make.

c)       is a decision you have to share with other people.

d)      is a decision you have to be really conscious about.

 


 



KEY

QUESTION 1

 

a)      FALSE “individuals can choose any available desk or workspace within a shared office environment on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

b)      FALSE “they don’t sleep in the bed at the same time”.

c)       TRUE “But this method has been financially logical for some people, especially individuals who have completely different lifestyles and careers”.

d)      TRUE “Some people might find comfort and companionship in sharing a bed

 

QUESTION 2

             a)      Space / temperature / hygiene / shower / clean area

             b)      Save money / extra cash / reduce expenses / meet new people

             c)       Privacy invasion / less comfort / stressing / personal space invasion

 

QUESTION 3

            a)      Burden

            b)      Soaring

            c)       cutting down

            d)      gauge

            e)       boundaries

            f)        crucial

 

QUESTION 4

 

a)      B came as a surprise to people

b)      B help people lighten costs.

c)       D is a decision you have to be really conscious about.

 

viernes, 19 de mayo de 2023

The Coronation of King Charles III

 

Andrea Montiel y el alumnado de 2º bachillerato B/C del IES Augusto G. Linares de Santander


Besides King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, the entire Wales family was present at the Coronation, with Prince George acting as one of the Pages of Honour during the service. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were also in attendance, travelling with Kate, William and George in the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. The Duke of Sussex was among the congregation, too, although he kept a low profile, while the Duchess of Sussex remained at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The ceremony was held on 6 May – more than eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and shortly before the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. While the late monarch acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952, she wasn’t crowned until 2 June 1953, after a period of national mourning for her father, King George VI – a tradition that King Charles chose to follow.

Guests began to arrive at Westminster Abbey from 9am, with King Charles III’s procession setting off from Buckingham Palace at 10.20. The Coronation ceremony then began at 11 – going off without a hitch. Afterwards, the King boarded the Gold Stage Coach at 1pm and returned to Buckingham Palace to appear with the other royals on the balcony before cheering crowds.

Following Queen Elizabeth II’s declaration in 2022 that it was her “sincere wish” that the former Duchess of Cornwall take the title of Queen Consort when Charles acceded to the throne, Camilla was crowned alongside her husband. She is the first Consort to be crowned since the Queen Mother in 1937.

More than 2,000 guests were invited to Westminster Abbey on 6 May. Among them were members of the royal family (and other members of royal families around the world), representatives from the Houses of Parliament and the Church, and prominent politicians from the Commonwealth and beyond. The number of Coronation invitees is actually relatively small, given that more than 8,000 people attended the Queen’s service in 1953.

 

Question 1: (2 points). Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer.

a) The Duke of Sussex played a vital role at the Coronation.

b) The ceremony took place over eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

c) Only members of the royal family were invited to Westminster Abbey.

d) There has never been a coronation with more invitees.

 Question2: (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a) Why was Queen Elizabeth II crowned on June 1953?

b) What was the sincere wish of Queen Elizabeth II?

 Question 3: (1,5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) Gathering (par. 1)

b) Service (par. 2)

c) Grief (par. 2)

d) Begin a trip (par.3)

e) Obstacle  (par. 3)

f) Well-known (par. 5)

Question 4: (1,5 points) Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question.

1. When did the parade take place?

a) On 2 June.

b) On 6 May.

c) On 6 February.

d) On 8 May.

2. There was a period of national mourning because...

a) It was a custom.

b) It was King Charles’ willing.

c) It is a law.

d) It was decided by the British population.

3. Camilla is the first Consort ...

a) to be crowned for many decades.

b) not to be crowned since 1937.

c) to be crowned in British history.

d) to be crowned in the 20th century.

Write a short essay on the following topic.  (3 marks)

Traditions are important and should be preserved?  Do you agree?  

 

 KEY:

Question 1.

a. False "The Duke of Sussex was among the congregation, too, although he kept a low profile"

b. True "The ceremony was held on 6 May – more than eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II "

c. False "Among them were members of the royal family (and other members of royal families around the world), representatives from the Houses of Parliament and the Church, and prominent politicians from the Commonwealth and beyond."

d. False "The number of Coronation invitees is actually relatively small, given that more than 8,000 people attended the Queen’s service in 1953."

Question 2.

1. She wasn’t crowned until 2 June 1953, after a period of national mourning for her father, King George VI – a tradition that King Charles chose to follow.

2. Her “sincere wish” that the former Duchess of Cornwall take the title of Queen Consort when Charles acceded to the throne, Camilla was crowned alongside her husband.

 

Question 3.

a) congregation

b) ceremony

c) mourning

d) set off

e) hitch

f) prominent

Question 4.

1. B

2. A

3. A

 

 

lunes, 23 de mayo de 2022

DON’T FAKE HAPPINESS

When I see people smiling warmly in pictures, when I see them grinning cheekily through filters, when I see them partying as if there is no tomorrow, and when I see them laughing as if their heart isn’t choked up with sorrow, a question popsin simple words, the answer is “No, they are not really happy. Theyjustpretendto be.”

How do I know that or who am I to assume things? The first thing we need to wrap our heads around is the reality of happiness. What is happiness? Wikipedia refers to it as a feeling of satisfaction and joy. A positive and pleasant emotion. But everyone has their own way of thinking, so there must be multiple different definitions of happiness. Nonetheless, we all experience happiness in one way or another.

Happiness is a raw emotion. A genuine one. When it appears in its truest form, you just “feel” it. You don’t fake it. You don’t put fake smiles, or let out laughs. You just feel it surging through your whole body, in your heart, in your veins. And this emotion is sometimes too raw that you even cry as well.

We are living in the age of social media. You share something on it, and magically, it flies till the other end of the world. You start doing it just for fun. Sharing little things about you. You love boasting: hanging out with pals, late movie nights, sun-kissed pictures, shopping, funny vlogs, and what not! An escape from the tiresome studies and work. But then, you don’t even realise and it plants its roots in you. On the contrary, people know how you look, your family, your house, how you present yourself. They see your videos and see how you are in person. People criticise you and those people surrounding you, and you don’t want them to know that your life is not all rainbows and sunshine.I can see right through the faces that are morphed into fake happiness. we don’t want others to suspect anything is wrong with us.

The people, who you admire on social media, also go through the exact same issues. They get anxious and depressed as well. They also have this fear of people judging them. Happiness, before anything else, is an emotion. And so is sadness, and anger. You are not obliged to be happy all the time. Be happy, for yourself. Not for the world to see.  Happiness can be found anywhere and everywhere. You can feel it while working, suddenly realising how much you love your job. You can feel it when you see your pet running around your house. Nothing else should matter. This is genuine. This is raw.

Today, I want you to make a promise to yourself, that you’ll at least try to not fake your happiness; that you’ll try to not let social media and other people around, affect you; that you’ll try to be really happy. Just promise that you’ll try. And once you’ll try it, you will know how pure and ecstatic that feels.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 15th, 2022

 Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer. No points will be given if the evidence is not correct.

a)     For Wikipedia happiness hasn’t got a positive meaning.

b)    People begin to use social media to deal with essential matters

c)     Even celebrities are scared of critics

d)    You can find happiness in your daily life.

 

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Choose and answer only TWO of the following questions in your own words according to the text.


a)     According to the author, why do people need to post so much information in social media?

b)    What are the drawbacks of posting so much information?

c)     What does the author recommend?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5 points.


a)     Fulfilment (par.2)

b)    Exhausting (par.4)

c)     Guess (par.4)

d)    Misery (par.5)

e)     Authentic (par.5)

f)     Guarantee (par.6)

Question 4: [1,5 ] Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet.

                   1. When the author sees someone smiling in a picture, he thinks…

 

a)     …that person shows real happiness.

b)    …that person wants other people to think he is happy

c)     …that person doesn’t care about others.

d)    …that person loves parties.


2. People who you admire on social media

 

a)     are worried about posting bad quality pictures

b)    …are worried about being criticized as well.

c)     …are worried about judging other people

d)    …are worried about getting depressed

 

      3. The author asks the reader…

 

a)     …not to fake pictures in social media.

b)    …not to show family pictures in social media.

c)     …not to make an influence on others through social media.

d)    …not to get influenced by social media


QUESTION 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words)  on the following topic. Essays up to 200 words won’t be penalized.

Advantages and disadvantages of social networking.

 

 KEY

 Question 1

a)     FALSEWikipedia refers to it as a feeling of satisfaction and joy”

b)    FALSE “You start doing it just for fun.”

c)     TRUE “They also have this fear of people judging them”

d)    TRUE “Happiness can be found anywhere and everywhere. You can feel it while working, suddenly realising how much you love your job. You can feel it when you see your pet running around your house”.

 Question 2

 a)     People disconnect from daily routine, they want to transmit an image of happiness with friends, trips, love, free time activities…

 b)    They know everything about you. There is a lack of privacy. They can criticize you

 c)     He recommends being happy for yourself not for the rest of the people, avoid faking pictures, do not try to be happy 24 hours a day…

Question 3

a)     Satisfaction

b)    Tiresome

c)     Suspect

d)    Sadness

e)     Genuine

f)     Promise

Question 4

b) that person wants other people to think he is happy

b)…are worried about being criticized as well.

d)    …not to get influenced by social media.