www.improveyourself.cz
Studenti studentům Konečně učebnice angličtiny, která studentům rozumí.
Vyzkoušejte naši učebnici! V dnešní době se bez cizího jazyka téměř žádný člověk neobejde jak v osobním, tak pracovním životě. Rozhodli jsme se proto zhostit úlohy autorů a vydat vlastní komplexní učebnici angličtiny nazvanou Improve Yourself. Kdo jiný než student totiž dokáže nejlépe pochopit problémy studentů?
Nová učebnice angličtiny na úrovni B1-B2 podle CEFR, kterou napsali sami středoškoláci pro své spolužáky. Angličtina se dá učit i zábavnou formou, a to s využitím chytrých telefonů a internetu přímo v hodině! Improve Yourself Vás jako jediná učebnice provede kompletním středoškolským učivem, připraví na maturitu a dokonce i na mezinárodní certifikát!
Gramatika
Reálie
Konverzace
FCE a maturita
Gramatika? Jedině zábavnou formou! Velké množství svěžích gramatických cvičení shrnující nejdůležitější gramatické jevy obsahující společnou část maturitní zkoušky.
Britská a americká historie, Nový Zéland, Kanada, Austrálie a britská a americká literatura – součást školní části maturitní zkoušky. Široký výběr interaktivních cvičení, která nejen poučí, ale i zabaví! Reálie tvoří páteř učebnice Improve Yourself..
Idiomy, frázová slovesa, slang a akcenty jsou často opomíjenou součástí jazyka. Improve Yourself vás na základě reálných situací provede všemi zákoutími jazyka a naučí vás nebát se konverzovat!
Improve Yourself vychází vstříc trendům! Připraví vás nejen na maturitní zkoušku, ale seznámí vás s typovými cvičeními mezinárodně uznávaného jazykového certifikátu Cambridge English: First (FCE).
Improve Yourself vznikla jako Středoškolská odborná činnost dvou studentů třetího ročníku gymnázia. Dlouhodobý výzkum, spolupráce s univerzitami a soukromým sektorem otevřela nové obzory ve výuce anglického jazyka.
Ondřej Kočan
Jakub Jan Fiala
Partneři projektu
Improve Yourself do každé rodiny !
Využití moderních technologií. Doplňkové materiály a náměty na aktivity dostupné prostřednictvím QR kódů činí z Improve Yourself jedinou publikaci svého druhu.
Už žádná CD! Naprosto revoluční způsob testování poslechových dovedností s využitím autentických audiovizuálních prostředků otevírá nové obzory při studiu jazyka.
Kompletní středoškolské učivo v jediné učebnici, šitou studentovi na míru pro docílení úrovně B2.
V souladu s RVP a katalogem požadavků pro společnou část maturitní zkoušky.
Komplexní a univerzální průvodce středoškolským učivem.
Příprava pro Cambridge English: First (FCE).
Využívaní moderních technologií, QR kódů a sociálních sítí.
Atraktivní obsah, studentům blízká témata.
Vhodné nejen pro střední a jazykové školy, ale i pro všechny nadšence angličtiny a samouky!
Improve Yourself brings a lot of new things to learning English. The following navigation page will help you use Improve Yourself without any problem. Orientation in a book has never been easier! On the left side of the header, you can find the current chapter or lesson number. On the right side there is the name of the chapter where you currently are.
READING EXERCISE SPEAKING EXERCISE WRITING EXERCISE LISTENING EXERCISE
Our sidebars are probably the best thing you have ever seen. They are filled with many interesting facts, activities, QR codes, space for your notes, famous people quotes and even more! You will definitely love them!
USE OF QR CODE VOCABULARY STARTER GRAMMAR EXPLANATION
A special Sidebar is Your Notes Sidebar which provides you with room for your comments and remarks. Now, you don’t need any exercise book. Improve Yourself contains all you’ve ever wanted!
Are you searching for a tool that will help you pass the Cambridge English: First? Here it is! Still need something to help you with the Final Exam? Look for this icon and you will surely get better!
Oh God, what’s this? That’s a QR code! Using the QR codes makes learning more interesting. Do you want to get more information about a certain topic? We recommend you to download your own QR reader available for each mobile platform.
Whenever you see it, it is recommended to watch the video including the visual side.
This webpage opens new horizons to the world of English language! Here you can find supplemental materials to the exercises and actvities, interesting articles and a bunch of tips that will help you Improve Yourself! Here you can find the answer key of Improve Yourself.
Still need more? Our Facebook page will keep you informed about the news from the webpage. Here you book and share your experiences with other users of the book.
Follow us on Instagram and have a peek behind the scenes of our project!
Whenever you see it, it is recommended to use only the audio recording from the video.
1.7
improve your grammar A Word Is The Key to The Heart of People Vocabulary Starter MATCH THE STATEMENTS TO THE CORRECT DEFINITION OF THE WORD. a sum of money that a person or organization owes to be given something
to extend to struggle
to have a good relationship with somebody
to split
a single thing or group of things on a list
guilty
to divide something into separate parts and share it between two or more people
to receive item
to try extremely hard to achieve something
debt
to make something bigger or longer
to get on well being responsible for behaviour that is morally or socially unacceptable
by the way
Here are examples of ending a letter: FORMAL, IMPERSONAL With gratitude, Kindest regards, Sincerely, Thank you, Regards, SEMI-FORMAL Best, Yours truly, Cordially, Yours respectfully, Wishing you well, FAMILIAR, INTIMATE Thanks, Regards, Best wishes, Take care, Until next time,
Reading - A letter WHY HAS B. BROWN WRITTEN HER LETTER? Dear Sir, I am writing in order to get some more information about the possibility of getting a summer job in your company as a teacher in the kindergarten. It sounds like a wonderful way of spending the summer from the description in the advertisement I saw. I’m really interested in knowing a bit more. I have attended some au-pair and babysitter lectures before. I would really appreciate if you give me a job description. In addition, would you mind telling me whether you need my curriculum vitae? Is there any chance to meet in your office to talk about the details? I know from your advertisement that accommodation is covered by the work agreement. Could you tell me if the food is included as well? If not, I would like to know, if there is a kitchen in the building or a reasonably priced restaurant nearby. Finally, I have not been able to find much information online about the kindergarten so I would also be pleased if you could tell me want you expect from me. I look forward to receiving your reply. Many thanks Sir. 96 Kind regards, Barbara Brown
What ending do you like the most? I look forward to seeing you tomorrow Whenever you use „I look forward to“, it must be with verb + ing form
1.7
improve your grammar Getting to know the grammar
by the way
The oldest letter on Earth was discovered In 2010 by Israeli archaeologists. It is a clay fragment emboldened with a letter apparently written in Jerusalem more than 3,300 years ago, believed to be the oldest example of writing ever found in the city.
Indirect Questions If we do not begin a question directly, but begin it with something like: Can you tell me
Do you know
I wonder if
Would you mind telling me
I have no clue
I have no idea
I can’t tell you
I’m not sure
The word order is the same as in an affirmative statement. Direct question: What is he doing? Indirect question: Do you know what he is doing? Direct question: Where have they been? Indirect question: I wonder where they have been?
The letter written from the court of a king in Jerusalem to his counterpart in Egypt could prove the Jerusalem mentioned in ancient writings actually existed in the same location as the modern city. WHY TO LEARN INDIRECT QUESTIONS? There are 2 ways of asking directly and indirectly. Both have the same meaning but we use indirect questions when we want to be more polite, more formal or less confrontational.
If a direct question contains the auxiliary DO, we leave it out in the indirect question. Direct question: What do you want? Indirect question: Can you tell me what you want? Direct question: When did she leave? Indirect question: I wonder when she left? In yes/no questions, if or whether is used. The word order is the same as in reported questions. Direct question: Have you seen my dog? Indirect question: Can you tell me if you have seen my dog?
EXERCISE 1 TALK WITH YOUR PARTNER. IMAGINE YOU ARE A PARENT. READ THE INFORMATION YOU WANT TO ASK YOUR DAUGHTER ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN SHE IS DATING. MAKE INDIRECT YES/NO QUESTIONS. Example: is a good student > Can you tell me if he’s a good student? • • • • • •
has a job has nice friends is always positive lives alone lives in the same town gives you a lift
• • • • • •
is polite drives carefully is older than you works hard is nice to you does any sports
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improve your knowledge EXERCISE 7 The East Coast vs. The West Coast THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RIVALRY BETWEEN THE EAST COAST AND THE WEST COAST. DO SOME RESEARCH ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR CLASSMATES. IN QUESTIONS 3 AND 4 GIVE YOUR OWN OPINION. 1. How different are people on the East Coast from people living on the West Coast? 2. What cities and states are on the West/East Coast? 3. What caused people to move from the East Coast to the West Coast? 4. Give 5 reasons to live on the East Coast/West Coast. 5. What internet sources did you use to answer question 1?
2.3.4 by the way We can divide the United States into 5 regions: Northeastern region Mid-Atlantic region Southeastern region Mid-Western region Western region DID YOU KNOW…? The hottest temperature recorded in the United States (and in North America) was in Death Valley, California on July 10, 1913. The temperature measured 56°C (134°F). Do you know where the coldest temperature was recorded?
EXERCISE 8 General Overview of California PUT THE WORDS FROM THE BOX IN THE CORRECT GAP. major, mild, Rocky, computers, prison, Pacific Ocean, South-West, mountain, film stars, 4222, desert, neighbour, states, Gold Rush California is one of the most visited (1) _______________ of the United States and it is situated in the (2) _______________ of the country. The state is nicknamed The Golden state because of the (3) _____________ period. San Francisco and Los Angeles are the (4) _______________ cities and Hollywood is famous for its (5) _______________. Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico in the south are (6) _______________ states. It has a long coastline bordering the (7) _______________. That‘s why the climate is (8) _______________. Geographically speaking , it is a land of contrasts: in the North, the eye discovers the (9) _______________ mountains - the highest (10) _______________ is Mount Whitney reaching (11) _______________ metres - whereas in the south, a huge (12) _______________ is stretching out. Alcatraz is a well-known (13) _______________ reserved to tough gangsters and murderers. Finally , let us not forget The Silicon Valley, the place where Apple started making (14) _______________ a few years ago.
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Learn more about the most ridiculous laws in the United States:
Use the Internet and find out the visa conditions to travel to the US. Share suggestions with your classmates.
2.3.4 by the way
This short documentary describes many interesting facts about the US-Canadian border.
DID YOU KNOW…? The state of Alaska is 429 times larger than the state of Rhode Island but Rhode Island has a significantly larger population than Alaska does.
improve your knowledge EXERCISE 9 Yellowstone National Park FIRST READ THE TEXT BELOW, THEN FIND THE MISSING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE THINGS WE CAN FIND IN YELLOWSTONE AND WHICH MAKE YELLOWSTONE AS WELL-KNOWN AS IT IS, THEN COMPARE AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR CLASSMATES. Yellowstone is the first established national park in the world and the oldest in the United States. This National Park has a unique history. It was created in the year 1872. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. The beautiful natural landscape has a lot of to offer and will surprise you at every step. Yellowstone National Park is a great example of natural diversity and beauty. It is jewelled with many amazing natural sights such as: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ along with an abundant wildlife which include: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________
EXERCISE 10 The island of Alcatraz is also known as “the Rock”. From the 1934 until 1963, Alcatraz was one of the most secured places in the United States. Today, Alcatraz is one of San Francisco’s most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions.
PUT THE NAMES OF THE NATIONAL PARKS WITH THE CORRECT PICTURES. THEN CHOOSE ONE PARK AND FIND INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT IT. DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR CLASSMATES. National Parks 1. Yosemite 2. Everglades 3. Grand Canyon a)
b)
4. Death Valley
c)
d)
135
improve your speaking Everyday English Phrases When students visit an English-speaking country, sometimes they can be confused by some phrases. Sometimes the problems are because pronunciation is different in spoken English, and sometimes the problems are because English speakers use idioms that cannot be translated literally into another language. When you are learning everyday phrases, it is important to learn if they are formal, informal or slang. We can provide you an introduction!
3.1.3 by the way
Discover a new phrase each day to improve your English!
EXERCISE 3 FILL IN THE CORRECT HEADINGS FROM THE LIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. 1.___________________________________________________ This phrase is a little formal. People will often say more informal: They all mean pretty much the same thing really; the speaker wants to know if you’re OK. Technically, “going good” is incorrect grammar; you should use “going well”, so “It is going well.” is the proper response.
What does 24/7 mean in English?
You might also hear “What’s happening?” or “What’s up?” 2.__________________________________________________ Of course that’s fine, but people will usually say, “Thanks” You may also hear “Cheers” or “Ta” (especially in British English). 3.__________________________________________________ Sometimes you will come across these in spoken English. They are shortened forms of “going to,” “want to,” “could have,” “should have” and “would have”. 4.__________________________________________________ It’s a kind of nice, happy way of saying goodbye to someone and it is often used if you don’t know someone very well. 5.__________________________________________________ This phrase is probably the most used word in the English language. The best way to say something is awesome or great. a)“GONNA”, “WANNA”, “COULDA”, “SHOULDA”, “WOULDA”, “GOTTA”, “DONNA” b) “HAVE A NICE DAY!” c)“HOW ARE YOU?” d)“COOL” e) “THANK YOU!”
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What can be open 24/7? Discuss with your classmates. THE QUOTE OF THE DAY “Writing in English is like throwing mud at a wall.” - Joseph Conrad
3.1.3
improve your speaking LISTENING 1 YOU WILL WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT USING FILLER PHRASES. WRITE DOWN ALL THE PHRASES YOU HEAR. THEY WILL HELP YOU SOUND MORE NATURAL AND POLITE WHEN ANSWERING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. THEN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING TOPICS USING FILLER PHRASES.
your notes • • • • • • • •
Do you have a positive or negative image of immigration? Would you report an illegal immigrant to the police? Do you think all world leaders are intelligent? What do you think of intelligence tests? Do you think they are accurate? What images spring to mind when you hear the word “racism”? What’s the best way to stamp out racism? Is religion always a good thing? Do people who follow a religion have a better time than those who don’t?
EXERCISE 2
by the way
There are so many useful everyday phrases in English that no single article will be able to help you with all of them, so just listen and practice what you can.
CHOOSE ONE OF THE DIALOGUE STARTERS BELOW. DIVIDE INTO PAIRS AND CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE USING AS MANY ENGLISH PHRASES AS YOU CAN. • “What a beautiful dress. Where did you get it?”
• “I’ve been looking forward to this party all week.”
• “What is the craziest food you have ever tried?”
• “I have to share what happened to me today.”
• “Did anything interesting happen to you today?”
•
“Would you like to grab coffee sometime soon?”
THE QUOTE OF THE DAY “Have no fear of perfection you’ll never reach it.” - Salvador Dali
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První studentská učebnice anglického jazyka Improve Yourself právě v prodeji!
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Jakub Jan Fiala +420 605 899 695
Ondřej Kočan +420 607 425 427
[email protected]
