FACTS OF THE WEEK
Venus is the only planet that rotates
clockwise.
6 cans of Spam are consumed each
second.
Chalk is edible.
Most pandas in the world are on loan from
China.
GOOD WEEK FOR:
Skateboarding, as researchers at Exeter
University conclude that learning to
skateboard in middle age helps people
navigate depression, bond with their
children and cope with personal trials.
Older people who skateboard say it adds a
“spiritual meaning” to their lives.
14 January 2022
This week, the sun has been shining and we
have been enjoying seeing ‘Spearmint’, a
friendly seal who has taken up residence on
beaches in and around Plymouth.
As usual, we have been looking through the
media this week and here are some of the
stranger stories we found:
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Watch the adorable moment when a
premature baby gorilla is reunited with his
family - here.
QUOTATION OF THE WEEK
“Celebrate endings – for they precede new
beginnings” ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie
News and homework
14 Jan. 2022
© MAYFLOWER COLLEGE english@maycoll.co.uk
Cows, stuck inside for the winter, who
have been fitted with virtual reality
goggles to make them think they are
outdoors. The cows appear to be
happier and are now producing more
milk.
BAD WEEK FOR:
A woman, who took the wrong dog home
after a mix-up at the dog groomers. The
lady initially thought nothing of the fact
that ‘her’ dog looked a bit different when
she picked it up. It had just had its hair
cut, after all!. Eventually the mix-up was
sorted out.
A cat, who has been reunited with its
owners after getting stuck in a reclining
armchair that was donated to a charity
shop.
Paul Stevens - Director (based in San Diego,
USA)
Jill Tyler - General Manager (based in
Plymouth, UK)
MEANING: A final gesture or
performance given just before death or
retirement.
ORIGIN: The term originates from the
(false) legend that, while they are mute
during their lives, swans sing beautifully
just before they die.
This week's homework is called "Aviation
Economics". Many words associated with
planes and flying are used in economics.
PART A
Complete the sentences below using the
following words:
PLUMMETS, COLLISION, TURBULENCE,
NOSEDIVES, FREE-FALL, COURSE
1. If a plane ?????, it comes down very quickly
and is in danger of crashing.
2. When a plane falls into the sea, we normally
say that it ?????? into the sea.
3. If two planes fly into each other, they have a
mid-air ??????.
4. We are on ??????? for Plymouth and expect
to land in 45 minutes.
5. Some people take part in ?????? parachuting.
This involves jumping out of a plane and not
releasing your parachute until you are close to
the ground.
6. During a flight it is best to keep your seat-
belt fastened in case of ???????.
PART B - NEWSPAPER HEADLINES
Complete the following newspaper headlines:
COLLISION, GROUND, COURSE, NOSEDIVE,
SOAR
1. Stock-market joy as share prices ?????? (GO
UP VERY FAST)
2. Bank of England on ????? course with
industry (GOING TO DISAGREE STRONGLY)
3. Economy back on ?????? (GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION AGAIN)
4. Flotation fails to get off the ??????
(UNSUCCESSFUL START)
5. Stock-market panic as profits ?????? (GO
DOWN VERY FAST)
PART C - A LOT OF TURBULENCE
Complete the following sentences taken from
newspapers:
PLUNGING, CLIMB OUT OF, FREE-FALL, A LOT
OF TURBULENCE, SOFT LANDING, TAKEN OFF
1. There is ??????? in financial markets at the
moment.
2. We believe that the Government's "Back to
Work" programme has never ???????.
3. Several Asian currencies are ?????? to their
lowest levels this year.
4. The stock-market is in ??????.
5. Japan has proposed an aid package to help
Asian economies ????? recession.
6. Despite the present difficulties, economists
think the UK economy will make a ?????? in the
summer.
And the riddle for this week is:-
Sharp without a moving joint,
A stabbing pain, you get the point.
Without a shield, may feel alone,
A famous one found in a stone.
Best wishes
SWAN SONG
use: ‘I competed in the
winter Olympics, which
was my swan song’.
1. If a plane PLUMMETS, it comes down very
quickly and is in danger of crashing.
2. When a plane falls into the sea, we normally
say that it NOSEDIVES into the sea.
3. If two planes fly into each other, they have a
mid-air COLLISION.
4. We are on COURSE for Plymouth and
expect to land in 45 minutes.
5. Some people take part in FREE-FALL
parachuting. This involves jumping out of a
plane and not releasing your parachute until
you are close to the ground.
6. During a flight it is best to keep your seat-
belt fastened in case of TURBULENCE
1. There is A LOT OF TURBULENCE in financial
markets at the moment.
2. We believe that the Government's "Back to
Work" programme has never TAKEN OFF.
3. Several Asian currencies are PLUNGING to
their lowest levels this year.
4. The stock-market is in FREE-FALL
5. Japan has proposed an aid package to help
Asian economies CLIMB OUT OF recession.
6. Despite the present difficulties, economists
think the UK economy will make a SOFT
LANDING in the summer.
1. Stock-market joy as share prices SOAR (GO
UP VERY FAST)
2. Bank of England on COLLISION course
with industry (GOING TO DISAGREE
STRONGLY)
3. Economy back on COURSE (GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION AGAIN)
4. Flotation fails to get off the GROUND
(UNSUCCESSFUL START)
5. Stock-market panic as profits NOSEDIVE
(GO DOWN VERY FAST)
