A Summer Job. Written mediation task

 

WRITTEN MEDIATION TASK

TOPIC: WORK

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Scenario:


One of your classmates, Daniel, is looking for a summer job in order to start making his own pocket money. He is a sociable teenager, very talkative, extremely organised, enthusiastic and responsible. He speaks English eloquently and writes it well too. He loves participating in sport and nature activities. However, he has never had a serious job before. He has only done babysitting for his neighbours. He asks you for some ideas. You find this infographic at your local youth club and think some of the jobs here are just meant for him. 

 
Task:

Select the jobs you find most suitable, explain to him why and expand on them. You can also say why you consider the others less appropriate. Finally, try to positively encourage him to choose one and strongly support him by telling him which aspects you value most about him.

Send him an email
Write about 120 words

 

Sample answer:

Hi Daniel! 

This morning I came across a flyer with summer job offers and believe me, one of the jobs is just perfect for you. It's the position of group leader in a summer camp.

First, they are looking for people who can speak English well, and you do. Secondly, they don't require any previous experience, so don't worry about this aspect. What’s more, you love nature and spending time outdoors, which is part and parcel of this post. 

I’m sure you will excel at it because you are really keen, remarkably energetic, extremely responsible and have an outgoing personality. So seize the opportunity and ask for an interview. You would be a great asset to an organisation like that. 

All the best,

Susan

 

More useful language:

The purpose of this email is to let you know that this morning I went to my youth club and I came across a leaflet with summer job offers. I immediately thought of you. As a matter of fact, several of them would be good for you.  

The only exception would be the position of beach lifeguard. The reasons are that you need to be at least 20 and you also need some experience in this field.

As for the other possible jobs, one of them is a post of Red Cross volunteer. In this job you would have to take care of people who have had accidents or who are homeless or needy. Although they don't ask for any previous experience, they are looking for people who can speak English well. I am sure you wouldn't have any problems in this area.

Another job that you could do is the public relations officer one. If you chose it, your duty would be to advertise businesses online and on the street. Even though they don't require that candidates have any previous experience, they look for people who can not only speak good English but also do public speaking and write very well. Again, these are all skills you are great at. 

That being said, I personally feel that you could apply for the position of group leader in a summer camp. Let me explain why. First and foremost, you will love this job since you will enjoy working with children. A second area to consider is that you fulfil the English requirement. I say that because you really have a flair for English. Don't worry if you have not done anything like this before as they don't require any previous experience. Having said that, you have sometimes told me that you often do babysitting for your neighbours' sons and daughters, therefore it goes without saying that you must have gained some valuable experience working with children. What's more, you must have learnt to be very patient with them. In addition, you always take part in the school sports and outdoor programme. Evidently, this experience will also come in handy.  If this were not enough, you are a punctual and responsible person. And on top of all that, I am sure you will excel at this job because you are really keen, remarkably energetic and have an outgoing personality.

All in all, I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity and ask for an interview. You would be a great asset to an organisation like that. You won't let them down.

All the best, 

Open World p 138. How to write a Review?

Sequence:



Firstly,...First,... In the first place,… To begin with,…To start with,… First of all,…
Secondly,... Thirdly,...
Then... In addition to that,… Apart from that,… Besides… Furthermore,... Moreover,... If this were not enough,.... On top of all this,... To make matters worse,...



Appearance and reality:



At first sight … but in fact…. 
Apparently…but they were really/actually...
The fact is that… 
As a matter of fact…



Cause and effect: 



Due to…  
Consequently,... 
As a result… 
In consequence,… 
For this reason… For these reasons… 
For one reason or another…



Contrast and concession: 



Although... Even though...
However,... Nevertheless,...
Despite... In spite of...
On one hand....On the other hand,...



Expressions to compare and contrast



Nowhere near as exciting as...
Considerably/much/far more thought-provoking than...
By far the most moving advert....
Bear a close/a striking/a strong/a slight/little/no resemblance to: e.g. Her latest novel, a tale of unrequited love, bears little resemblance to her earlier, more philosophical work.
There is little to choose between (hardly any difference between) the two CDs in terms of quality of production.
The plot of this advert develops along very different lines from that of last year's advert.
There are several obvious/striking similarities between the two adverts.
There is a world of difference between the two adverts, despite their shared Christmas influences.
What sets the advert apart from others of the same subject is its ability to make us laugh.
A considerable/huge/marked/slight difference
A close/remarkable/striking/ similarity
Be dissimilar from/to: E.g. Dissimilar from other adverts
Be very much alike
Be unlike another advert
One advert Differs from the other in one respect.
One thing compares (un)favourably/ well/badly with another
Develop in a different way from
Have a great deal/little/nothing in common with

It is in their thematic content that the two adverts resemble each other most. Both focus on the topic of Christmas.
Also common to both adverts is the fact that we witness the spirit of Christmas

To point something out:



In particular… Especially… Above all… . Let alone... Not to mention…  In other words… In any case… 



Referring to someone or something:

With regard to… In regard to...  As regards... Regarding...As for... As to... As far as adverts are concerned

Descriptive language:

Positive descriptions

It has a catchy slogan
The advert offers alluring images of
It’s fairly entertaining
I found it very absorbing. 
The ad is completely engrossing from start to finish.
I found the storyline so intriguing – I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next.
The advert has a gripping storyline.  It is gripping to the very end and also brilliantly acted.
You’ll love the ad – it’s riveting stuff. The boy gives a riveting performance.
I find adverts like these compulsive viewing.
I found the advert very compelling.
It is hands down (easily and without any doubt) the best ad this year.
The kid gives a compelling/ memorable/ stunning performance.
Her performance is mesmerizing. 
The acting is very convincing.
The advert is intense and exciting from beginning to end.
The acting is excellent and it is beautifully filmed with close-ups of...
It is both entertaining and educational.
It is highly enlightening/inspiring/
Nevertheless, it's an original, thought-provoking advert and certainly worth seeing.
It is food for thought.
The advert provides a fascinating insight (understanding,vision) into the lifestyle in small villages. 
No wonder the film has captured the imagination of audiences all over the world.
It's a deeply moving advert.
I admire the outstanding performance of the kid.
The ad conveys a powerful message
It's an innovative ad.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in human values.
One particular strength of the advert is...
The design/production/ performance/ advert is second to none (the best). 
I would strongly advise you to see it. 
Do not be put off (to make sb lose interest in or enthusiasm for sth. Sp. Desanimar)by the topic/critics/song. 
It will have you roaring with laughter (laugh very loudly). 
Hats off to the kid who gives a stunning performance. He is remarkably convincing 
For me, The strength of this ad lies in its powerful acting and mundane (ordinary) realism.
This ad is a definite must-see. 
You won't be disappointed.
I would urge you to watch it.
Don't miss it!

As a Christmas fan...
Being a mad Christmas enthusiast... 
I am especially pleased with... 
The highlight for me is...
What catches my attention in particular is...
It is certainly worth seeing.
It's well worth a watch.
It certainly made me look at Christmas in a different way!



Negative descriptions

The only drawback is...
I feel less happy about...
It doesn't live up to expectations
It probably won't appeal to...
I found the advert rather underwhelming
It's a clichéd /ˈkliːʃeɪd/ Christmas ad.
There are two versions of this excruciating /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/ ad.  
The ad is excruciatingly boring.
Implausible: Not seeming reasonable or probable; failing to convince; not believable. Sp. Inverosímil. E.g. A rather implausible story.
Overhyped: promoted or publicized to excess exaggerating its good qualities, in order to get a lot of public attention for it: Influencers overhyped the ad.
Sentimental: producing emotions such as pity, romantic love or sadness, which may be too strong or not appropriate; feeling these emotions too much. Sp. Sensiblero: a slushy, sentimental story
Slushy: stories, films / movies or feelings that are considered to be silly and without value because they are too emotional and romantic. Corny. Sp. Sensiblero: e.g. a slushy Christmas ad
cheesy:  
1. not very good or original, and without style, in a way that is embarrassing but amusing. E.g. a cheesy ad. That’s the cheesiest storyline I’ve ever seen.
2. too emotional or romantic, in a way that is embarrassing. E.g. a cheesy love song. a cheesy ad.
drippy: boring, stupid and weak or sentimental. E.g. her drippy boyfriend. A drippy advert.
 
Tedious: lasting or taking too long and not interesting. Boring. E.g. A very long and tedious advert.
Unconvincing: not seeming true or real; not making you believe that sth is true: e.g.
I find the characters in the ad very unconvincing.
However, I found the plot rather predictable/disappointing.
I felt dissatisfied and slightly depressed by the advert's message.
I found the plot a little too simple.
The girl's character is too over-the-top to be convincing.
The advert has an unusual and rather old-fashioned message.
One particular weakness of the film is...
The music is not its best feature 
I would strongly advise you not to see it. 
I would definitely give it a miss (decide not to do sth.)
Don't waste your time! 
 

Conclusion:



Finally,... Lastly,…To sum up,... All things considered,... All in all,…(with everything considered) In conclusion,... In general,… On the whole…



Expressing personal opinion:



For my part,...  In my view… As I saw it,... To my mind,...

Open World p 138. Ad Review: Sample Answer. Extra Cloze

 An international film magazine wants readers around the world to contribute a review to a special edition entitled The Art of Advertising: Selling Products through Film. You decide to write a review of a particularly memorable advertisement. In your review, you should evaluate the visual impact of the advertisement, outline its other features, and assess how much influence such advertisements have on us.
Sample answer
It is true that advertising has become an art form in its own 1_________. Nowadays, some of the very best film directors are employed to produce a visually impressive fifty or sixty seconds of footage 2________ we will remember and associate ever afterwards with the product being sold. My own favourite is a recent Guinness advert, which lives 3__________ to the high standards set by earlier adverts for this dark beer from Ireland.
The product becomes part of a visual extravaganza, 4_________ somewhere in South America or the Caribbean. 5_________ the outset, you are unsure what you are witnessing. Tension is in the 6_________ and you realise that a race is about to start – incredibly, a snails’ race! Each snail lines 7__________ in its own lane, with a number on its 8_________, and bets are taken 9_________ which one will be the winner. Snails being what they are, the race gets 10__________ to a slow start, but then, one snail finds its way into an almost-empty glass of Guinness, takes 11_________ the necessary sustenance 12__________ streaks home, to the wild cheers of the crowd.
One striking image follows another and special effects are judiciously 13_________ to accentuate the snail’s speed. The film is also shot from unusual angles – a snail’s eye 14_________, you might say, where human faces become slightly distorted and more unusual. At the end, we are almost participants in the vibrant celebration, which is fuelled 15_________ Guinness and exudes 16________ good humour and love of life.
Characteristically of a Guinness advert, busy scenes alternates 17__________ stillness. There is no need for a voice-over, which would only labour the 18_________. The overwhelming 19___________ created is that you are watching something utterly unique, a message that you will then associate with the product itself.
In general, I believe adverts have a huge effect on our lifestyle and aspirations. If they didn’t, far 20__________ money would be spent on them.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NzRSCIKUlk

KEY

1. right
In your own right: because of your personal qualifications or efforts, not because of your connection with somebody else. As a result of your own ability, achievements, qualifications etc and not because of anyone else. E.g. She sings with a rock band, but she's also a jazz musician in her own right. Her father's a well-known author, but she's an excellent writer in her own right.



2. that/ which
Footage: /ˈfʊtɪdʒ/ part of a film showing a particular event. E.g. Old film footage of the moon landing. People see live footage of the war at home on their televisions.



3. up
Live up to: to do as well as or be as good as other people expect you to. E.g. He failed to live up to his parents' expectations. The team called ‘The No-Hopers’ certainly lived up to its name.



4. set 
set something + adverb/preposition to place the action of a play, novel or film/ movie in a particular place, time, etc. E.g. The novel is set in London in the 1960s.
 
Extravaganza: /ɪkˌstrævəˈɡænzə/ a large, expensive and impressive entertainment. Sp. Gran espectáculo. E.g. A musical extravaganza. A five-day extravaganza of art, music and dance.



5. At
At/from the outset (of something): at/from the beginning of something. E.g. I made it clear right from the outset that I disapproved.



6. air
in the air: felt by a number of people to exist or to be happening. E.g. There's romance in the air.



7. up
Line up: to stand in a line or row; to form a queue/line. E.g. Line up, children! Cars lined up waiting to board the ship.



8. shell



9. on
bet: an arrangement to risk money, etc. on the result of a particular event; the money that you risk in this way. E.g. to win/ lose a bet. Bet on something We've got a bet on who's going to arrive first. He had a bet on the horses. They all put a bet on the race. I hear you're taking bets on whether she'll marry him.



10. off
Get off to a slow start: slow beginning.
be/get off to a good/bad/slow etc start used for saying that something begins in a particular manner, especially a race or a competition. E.g. She got off to a slow start in her election campaign. The Games are off to a flying start with a new world record in the women's marathon
Get off to a flying start/ get off to a flyer: to make a very good start; to begin something well. E.g. She's got off to a flying start in her new career.
Get off to a good start: begin with success. E.g. In Math, it's important to get off to a good start. I tried to get off to a good start with my new job.



11. in
Take sth in: to absorb something into the body, for example by breathing or swallowing. E.g. Fish take in oxygen through their gills /ɡɪlz/ (Sp. branquias).



12. and
Sustenance: /ˈsʌstənəns/ the food and drink that people, animals and plants need to live and stay healthy. Sp. Sustento. E.g. There's not much sustenance in a bowl of soup. 

Streak: /striːk/ to move very fast in a particular direction. E.g. She streaked home in under 54 seconds.

Home: a place on a sports field that a player must try to get to in order to score a point in some sports. Sp. Meta. E.g. He was four fences from home.



13. used
Judiciously: /dʒuˈdɪʃəsli/ carefully and sensibly; showing good judgement. E.g. A judiciously worded letter.



14. view 
a bird's-eye view (of something) a view of something from a high position looking down. E.g. From the plane we had a bird's eye view of Manhattan. 



15. by
Fuel: /ˈfjuːəl/ to increase something; to make something stronger. E.g. To fuel speculation/rumours/fears. Higher salaries helped to fuel inflation.



16. only
Exude: /ɪɡˈzjuːd/ if you exude a particular feeling or quality, or it exudes from you, people can easily see that you have it. Sp. Emanar, irradiar. E.g. She exuded confidence.

Humour: (uncountable) 



17. with
Stillness: /ˈstɪlnəs/ the quality of being quiet and not moving. Sp. Quietud, calma, tranquilidad. E.g. The sound of footsteps on the path broke the stillness.



18. point
Labour the point: to continue to repeat or explain something that has already been said and understood. Sp. Insistir, machacar. E.g. I understand what you're saying—there's no need to labour the point.



19.  impression

overwhelming impression

one's overwhelming impression is of heat Sp. lo que más impresiona es el calor 
Overwhelming: very great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react. E.g. The evidence against him was overwhelming. The overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of the plan. An overwhelming sense of loss. She had the almost overwhelming desire to tell him the truth. You may find it somewhat overwhelming at first. There was overwhelming support for our policies.



20. less

Open World p 138. All in the Mind. Word formation

The real-life struggle of brilliant minds with paranoid schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease may not sound like the ingredients of an (1)____________ (ENTERTAIN) afternoon's (2)__________ (VIEW). But Russell Crowe's (3)_____________(STUN) (4)______________ (PERFORM) as (5)______________ (MATHS) genius John Nash in A Beautiful Mind and Judi Dench's (6)_______________ (MOVE) (7)_____________ (PORTRAY) of (8)___________ (PHILOSOPHY) and (9)_____________ (NOVEL) Iris Murdoch in Iris, will have you rushing out to buy the books on which these two (10)______________ (OSCAR) films are based.
It is in their (11)________________ (THEME) content that the two films (12)____________ (RESEMBLANCE) each other most. Both focus on the (13)_____________ (WITHDRAW) of the protagonists into their own (14)___________ (IN) world and the effect this has on their long-suffering but devoted marital partners. Also common to both films is the fact that we witness the two (15)_____________ (ACADEMY) in their youth and old age. Hats off here to Crowe's make up team- he is (16)_______________ (REMARK) (17)______________ (CONVINCE) as the sixty-six-year-old Nash receiving his Nobel Prize in 1994.
Iris (18)__________________ (DIFFERENT) from A Beautiful Mind in this respect, (19)____________ (RELY) instead on other actors to play the (20)____________ (VIVACITY) young Iris - a very (21)_____________ (CREDIBILITY) ( Kate Winslet- and her (22)_____________ (STUTTER) (23)________________ (COMPANY) John Bayley. In addition, (24)_____________ (LIKE) the more linear American film, (25)____________ (FLASH) are used to good effect to switch (26)_______________ (BACK) and forwards between the two (27)___________ (CONTRAST) stages of Murdoch's life.
The (28)____________ (STRONG) of Iris lies in its (29)___________ (POWER) acting and mundane (30)____________ (REAL), with the novelist seen doing the (31)____________ (SHOP), or watching children's TV in her (32)__________ (CLUTTER) Oxford house. However, if, as I do, you (33)____________ (FAVOURITE) something more (34)____________ (VISUAL) (35)______________ (APPEAL), but no less (36)___________ (PLAUSIBILITY), then A Beautiful Mind is a (37)___________ (DEFINITELY) (38)_______________ (SEE).

 

KEY

1. entertaining

 

 

 

2. viewing 

 

 

 

3. stunning 

 

 

 

4. performance

 

 

 

5. mathematical

 

 

 

6. moving  

 

 

 

7. portrayal

theatrical representation of [sb]. Sp. representación, interpretación, actuación. E.g.   His portrayal of the great fighter won him an Oscar.   Sp. Su representación del gran luchador le hizo ganar un Oscar.

 

 

 

8. philosopher  

 

 

 

9. novelist 

 

 

 

10. Oscar-winning 

 

 

 

11. thematic /θɪˈmætɪk/

connected with the theme or themes of something

• the thematic structure of a text

 

 

 

12. resemble

 

 

 

13. withdrawal 

 

 

 

14. inner 

 

 

 

15. academics 

 

 

 

16. remarkably 

 

 

 

17. convincing 

 

 

 

18. differs 

 

 

 

19. relying 

 

 

 

20. vivacious

vivacious: /vɪˈveɪʃəs/ (especially of a woman) having a lively, attractive personality. Sp. vivaz.

• He had three pretty, vivacious daughters.
• She appeared to be her old, vivacious self again.
• Olga has a vivacious personality and is full of energy
  

vivacity noun   /vɪˈvæsəti/     [uncountable] (approving)      ​the quality of being lively and attractive. E.g.       He was charmed by her beauty and vivacity. The photograph captures the vivacity of the children.

 

 

 

21. credible

 

 

 

22. stuttering

 

 

 

23. companion 

 

 

 

24. unlike 

 

 

 

25. flashbacks 

 

 

 

26. backwards 

 

 

 

27. contrasting 

 

 

 

28. strength 

 

 

 

29. powerful 

 

 

 

30. realism

/ˈriːəlɪzəm/ a way of seeing, accepting and dealing with situations as they really are without being influenced by your emotions or false hopes

• There was a new mood of realism among the leaders at the peace talks.

 

 

 

31. shopping 

 

 

 

32. cluttered 

 

 

 

33. favour (prefer) 

 

 

 

34. visually 

 

 

 

35. appealing

attractive or interesting

• Spending the holidays in Britain wasn't a prospect that I found particularly appealing.

 

 

 

36. plausible

plausible adjective   /ˈplɔːzəbl/       ​(of an excuse or explanation) reasonable and likely to be true. Sp. creíble, verosímil. E.g.         Her story sounded perfectly plausible.         The only plausible explanation is that he forgot. 

OPP: implausible

plausibility noun   /ˌplɔːzəˈbɪləti/  [uncountable]      ​the quality of being reasonable and likely to be true. Sp. credibilidad, verosimilitud. E.g.         This new evidence lends plausibility to the theory that she was murdered.

 

 

 

37. definite   

 

 

 

38. must-see 

TEXT WITH EXPLANATIONS:  

 

The real-life struggle (a hard fight in which people try to obtain or achieve sth, especially sth that sb else does not want them to have. Sp. Lucha) of brilliant minds with schizophrenia /ˌskɪtsəʊˈfriːniə/ and Alzheimer's /ˈæltshaɪməz/ disease may not sound like the ingredients of an entertaining afternoon's viewing.
Russell Crowe's stunning performance as mathematical genius John Nash and Judi Dench's moving portrayal of novelist Iris Murdoch will have you rushing out to buy the books on which these two films are based.
It is in their thematic content that the two films resemble each other most. Both focus on the withdrawal (the act of moving or taking sth away or back. Sp. Retirada) of the protagonists into their own inner world and the effect this has on their long-suffering but devoted marital partners. Also common to both films is the fact that we witness the two academics in their youth and old age. Hats off here to Crowe's make up team- he is remarkably convincing as the sixty-six-year-old Nash receiving his Nobel Prize.
Iris differs from A Beautiful Mind in this respect, relying instead on other actors to play the vivacious (having a lively, attractive personality) young Iris - a very credible Kate Winslet- and her stuttering (having difficulty speaking because he cannot stop himself from repeating the first sound of some words several times; stammering) companion. In addition, unlike the more linear American film, flashbacks are used to good effect to switch (change from one thing to another) backwards and forwards between the two contrasting stages of Murdoch's life.
The strength of Iris lies in its powerful acting and mundane (ordinary) realism, with the novelist seen in her cluttered (full of a lot of things and untidy) Oxford house. However, if, as I do, you favour something more visually appealing, but no less plausible, then A Beautiful Mind is a definite must-see.