Speaking about self-reliance

Discuss the topic of self-reliance with a partner.

  1. What is self-reliance?
  2. How can you become self-reliant?
  3. Do you agree that it takes “time and hard work”?
  4. What are the 3 steps mentioned in the film trailer about becoming self-reliant?
  5. Are you self-reliant when it comes to your study and learning?
  6. What are your strengths in the way you study and learn?
  7. What areas can you improve in being more self-reliant?

To learn more about writing about yourself go to Autobiography.

The Shallows – film trailer

Fill in the missing words as you watch and listen to the film trailer.

“__________ how to ___ self-reliant takes _____ and _____ work. These are the ______: assume __________, know _______ you are ______, make ______ own __________.”

“Yes sir.”

“It’s ______ work to _________ self-reliant. Every one of us _______ use a bit more than we ______. If you’re _____ self-reliant you’ll ______ do any more than ______ get ____. A ______ dose of self-reliance can do _______. Now you may ______that’s the ______ of the story, _______ it’s only the _________.”

Answers:

"Learning how to be self-reliant takes time and hard work. These are the steps: assume responsibility, know where you are going, make your own decisions. "

"Yes sir. "

"It’s hard work to become self-reliant. Every one of us could use a bit more than we have. If you’re not self-reliant you’ll never do any more than just get by. A little dose of self-reliance can do wonders. Now you may think that’s the end of the story, actually it’s only the beginning."

For more listening activities go to Listening to Lectures.

Write about the Olympic Games

Write about the Rio 2016 Olympic Games using these questions as a guide.

  1. What were the highlights for you in these Olympic Games?
  2. Which sports did you enjoy watching?
  3. Which sports do you not enjoy watching? Why?
  4. What special moments did the athletes have that you remembered?
  5. What do you think may happen to the Rio Olympic stadium in the future?

Use your answers to these questions to write a paragraph about the Olympic Games. Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence, then write supporting sentences on your topic and finish it with a concluding sentence.

Go to Paragraph Writing for more help and activities on how to write a paragraph.

Olympic Games 2016

Have a look at these Haunting Photos of Abandoned Olympic Venues From Around The World. Read through the introduction and work out what these numbers are referring to.

TO GO WITH STORY BY RUSMIR SMAJILHODZIC - A picture taken on February 5, 2014 shows Sarajevo's abandoned Sarajevo's bob sleigh track near Sarajevo. Built and used as an Olympic venue during Sarajevo's 1984 Winter Olympic Games, the track was heavily damaged during Bosnia's 1992-95 war. It was never rebuilt and it's large concrete fragments remain standing as a memento of past and training ground for young generations of graffiti artists. AFP PHOTO ELVIS BARUKCIC (Photo credit should read ELVIS BARUKCIC/AFP/Getty Images)

206 =
28 =
120 =
1896 =
1894 =
1900 =
34 =
2 years =
Answers: 206 nations, 28 sports, 120 year history, 1896 first modern Olympics held in Athens, 1894 Baron Pierre de Coubertin presented the idea of the modern Olympics, 1900 original thought to unveil the modern Games in Paris, 34 countries with delegates, 2 years a city hosts either the summer or winter Olympics.
“Billions of dollars, thousands of hours of labor, and years later, this is what remains…”

Now look at the 12 photos and take notes on what has happened in each place:

1.      Ski Jump Tower, Cortina D’ampezzo, Italy, 1956 Winter Olympics Venue
2.      Bobsleigh Track, Sarajevo, 1984 Winter Olympics
3.      Swimming Pool, Berlin, 1936 Summer Olympics Venue
4.      Olympic Village, Athens, 2004 Summer Olympics Venue
5.      Ski Jumping Tower, Grenoble, France, 1968 Winter Olympic Games
6.      Beach Volleyball Venue, Beijing, 2008 Summer Olympics
7.      Tennis Court, Atlanta, 1996 Summer Olympics Venue
8.      Soviet Venue, Tallinn, 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics
9.      Cinema In The Olympic Village, Mexico City, 1968 Summer Olympics
10.   Olympic Rings Monument, Sarajevo, 1984 Winter Olympics Venue
11.   Mural, Mechanicsville, Atlanta, 1996 Summer Olympics
12.   Roads With Huge Potholes, Sochi, 2014 Winter Olympics

Go to Unit 6 – Scanning, Skimming and Note-taking if you need help with how to take notes effectively.