Episode 75 B

EPISODE 75 B
LEVEL B2

 

 

READING COMPREHENSION

 

Self defence

Learn karate – it is the ultimate (= Noun = the best or most perfect example of something) in self- defence and fitness. The university karate club was founded in 1962. All grades from beginners to advanced are welcome. The classes are suitable for both men and women and several women have obtained (=got / received) their black belt. Hardly any of us have experienced real violence, but over the last few years, assaults (= a physical attack) on innocent (= not guilty) people have increased. Karate will show you a lot of simple and effective techniques to protect yourself, giving you increased self-confidence. Far too many people think martial arts (= a traditional Asian form of fighting)are about violence. This training is based on respect, self-discipline, self-control and non-violence. We learn basic etiquette (= a set of rules of behaving correctly), courtesy (= formal politeness in formal situations) and tolerance. Karate is the practice of blocking and striking (= making violent attacks) techniques for the purpose of self-defence. Techniques are practised on both sides of the body, therefore muscle imbalances do not occur (= appear) and the strength, coordination, flexibility and agility (= an ability to think clearly to solve problems) is improved. Regular training boosts the body’s physical stamina (= the ability to work hard and make a lot of effort) and suppleness (= the ability to bend and move your body in a graceful way). Karate has many benefits but they do not come overnight (= in a very short time) as the training requires ongoing (= still happening or being done) commitment (= enthusiasm and responsibility) and hard work.

 

 

EXERCISE 1

Decide and cross out the options below that are NOT correct:

 

1.Classes are suitable for:

1. a) beginners b) intermediate students c) women    d) children

2.Martial arts are based on:

1. a) violence b) self-defence c) respect        d) self-discipline

3.Which of the following does karate improve?

1. a) stamina b) concentration c) politeness      d) aggression

4.Which of the following relate to the following relate to the physical aspects of karate?

1. a) flexibility b) agility c) courtesy      d) suppleness

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

The text says:

 

Hardly any of us have ….

the last few years ….

 

This time we will concentrate on quantifiers which are often confused and used wrongly.

Generally speaking all quantifiers are divided into 3 groups:

• those used with plural countable nouns,
• those with uncountable nouns,
• those used with both.

 

 

COUNTABLE PLURAL	BOTH	UNCOUNTABLE
many few a few several a number of	a lot of some hardly any no none plenty of all	much little a little a great deal of

 

 

All the quantifiers can be used with “of” + the / my / these, etc. + noun / pronoun:

 

 

SPEAKING PRACTICE

Make sentences about people in Poland using the topics below and different quantifiers.

 

none    almost none    hardly any     a little/a few    some a lot of/many/much     far too much/far too many    all

 

 

live          spend holidays            eat            play          learn

 

buy           believe           worry about             work        have                watch             relax

 

 

 

EXERCISE 2

Cross out the incorrect quantifiers:

 

1. A few of / Hardly any of / A little of / All of the houses in our street have a beautiful garden.
2. Most of / Only few of / Hardly any of / Much of my friends have a full-time job.
3. Far too many / Some / Hardly any of / Little of kids watch a lot TV these days.
4. There is a little / many / too much / some traffic in the area where I live.
5. I usually put too much / too little / hardly any / several / few salt into my dishes.
6. I have hardly any / several / a little / a few / a lot of experience with customers.
7. My best friend has got no / hardly any / a few / a little / far too many qualifications.
8. Several / Far too many / Hardly any / Too much / A lot of students have part-time jobs.
9. Recently I`ve had a couple of / a few / a little / no / hardly any / some free time.
10. There are a few / several / hardly any / much / many things I have to do tonight at home.
11. I got to know a couple of / a few / very little / plenty of / hardly any interesting people last summer.
12. To my mind, Polish people earn far too much / a little / several / plenty of money.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

I’ d give up my right arm to be in his position. = I’d like to be in his position

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

wear sb out = make sb tired

build yourself up = make yourself stronger

nod off = fall asleep

 

 

EXERCISE 3

Match the sentence halves.

 

1. Going round the shops all day has             a. nod off during the day.
2. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables to             b. build yourself up.
3. I sometimes happen to                                 c. worn me out.

 

 

NEWS

 

“There is a Japanese term often used in Karate called mushin, meaning „empty mind.” This term does not strictly imply no thought, but rather no attachment to any one thought or emotion. To obtain this state of mind mushin, you must let go your fears, doubts, your ego, and any preconceived thoughts of action, or the mind will not react openly.

There is a famous Zen saying called mizu no kokoro that may help to clarify this term. This translates as A mind like water. Everyone understands how the water of a pond can be calm and clear. In this state, it will reflect all around it truthfully, much like a mirror. In Karate and in life we strive to have a calm mind that reflects everything around us accurately. Therefore, the mind must be clear like the glass surface of a still pond, reflecting everything accurately and without distortion. If the mind gets attached to any thoughts, this is analogous to throwing a large stone into the tranquil pond. The ripples that the stone creates (or thought) will interfere with the smooth surface of the pond making the reflection (mind) distorted. If your mind is cluttered with thoughts, how can it possibly react quickly in stressful situations? Only when the mind is clear and calm will you act instantly without hesitation or fear.”

 

GLOSSARY

 

imply – to suggest

preconceived – formed before you have a lot of information

pond – an area of water similar to a lake

distortion – a change that makes sth no longer true

cluttered – with too many facts, pictures, etc so that it becomes hard to understand

instantly – immediately

 

 

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