Reading & Writing

Student Worksheet
Task 1 – Long Reading:
Emotional Intelligence
Read the text below and answer the questions.
Emotional Intelligence
1. In a famous experiment, a group of four year-olds were left alone with
candy and they were told that they could not eat any until the adult
returned. Years later, when the children were grown-ups, the
researchers did a follow-up to the experiment. It turned out that
children who resisted the temptation became more successful later in
life. Traditionally, psychologists described intelligence in terms of
problem-solving and memory. This test shows the importance of
another kind of intelligence, so-called emotional intelligence. IQ tests
are only one way to see how successful someone may become in life.
Social and emotional abilities seem even more important.
2. Emotional intelligence is a buzz word that is often heard. So, what
does it really mean? The term ‘emotional intelligence’ was coined in
1990. Emotional intelligence has to do with knowing when to express
emotions and knowing when to control them. Empathy is a particularly
important part of emotional intelligence. This is basically the ability to
recognise other people’s emotions.
3. It is necessary though to make a distinction between emotional
intelligence and emotional competence. Let me illustrate this with an
example. We already mentioned empathy as the ability to understand
what someone else is feeling. Emotional competence would then mean
transforming this into a skill. Empathy can actually be used to
influence other people’s behavior. Obviously we are talking about
influence in a positive manner as opposed to manipulation.
4. Emotional intelligence is important for a successful performance at
work but how can it be promoted? First and foremost, the
competencies that are important are different from job to job, so it is
essential to know what these are for your field. Self-awareness is here
the core competence to develop. So employees should learn how their
feelings and behavior affect themselves and others. After that, look at
the individual and try to find out if they have the necessary social
skills for a particular job. Then, share this information with the
individual and when doing so, try to be as clear as possible. Always
conduct feedback in a constructive manner because then it is more
likely to be taken on board. Another advantage of constructive
criticism is that it minimizes defensiveness.
5. Hiring competent trainers is key. Good trainers have empathy and are
genuinely caring. They should adopt a step-by-step approach because
a change in behaviour is more likely to happen if it is manageable and
achievable. Trainers should provide ongoing feedback and help
develop the skill of self-reflection. If there is no follow-up training,
then the whole process is likely not to be taken seriously.
 Reading & Writing

A. Read the text quickly. Choose the best title for each paragraph
from A-F below and write the letter in the box. There is one
more title than you need.

Titles Paragraph
A. Turning emotional intelligence into a skill

B. Emotional intelligence in the workplace

C. Train the trainers

D. Cognitive and emotional intelligence

E. Choosing the right people

F. Its true meaning

B. What different words can be found for the following words and
phrases in the headings?
1. turning:
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
2. in the workplace:
……………………………………………………………………………………………….....
3. cognitive intelligence:
………………………………………………………………………………………............
4. emotional intelligence:
………………………………………………………………………………………............
5. choosing the right people:
…………………………………………………………………………………................
6. its true meaning:
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 Reading & Writing

C. Read the text again. Are the statements True or False?

Statements True or False?

1. There was no correlation between eating the
candy and later achievements.

2. Part of emotional intelligence is being able to

put yourself in someone else’s shoes.

3. We should distinguish influence from

manipulation.

4. People may get hostile when talking about

their job performance.

5. It is sufficient to give the employee

information about their performance since it is
their own responsibility to improve.

D. Complete the sentences with information from the text.

1. I’m very proud of myself as last night ………………….…………………….…

to smoke.

2. My manager likes using trendy words. Self-reflection seems to be

his new ………………………………………..at the moment.

3. He is obviously not able to ………………………………………………………. his

true feelings.

4. Drinking a lot of water is ………………………………………. if you want to

survive.

5. He seems to have …………………my advice …….……….. as he is a lot

more polite now.
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key
A. A3, B4, D1, E5, F2

B. 1. transforming
2. at work
3. problem-solving, memory
4. social and emotional abilities
5. hiring competent trainers
6. So, what does it really mean?

C. 1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False

D. 1. resisted the temptation

2. buzz word
3. express
4. essential
5. taken … on board

Original source:
http://www.eiconsortium.org
 Preparation activities for ISE II Reading & Writing

Student worksheet: The three Rs

The three Rs of the environment

People everywhere in the world produce a lot of rubbish but there is not enough space, and
landfills are filling up quickly. If we want to save our planet, then the so-called three Rs are essential
for learning how to deal with the waste we produce. The three Rs are reduce, reuse,
and recycle. Here are a number of tips on what you can do to save the environment.
Reduce
A good place to start is by buying things that don’t have a lot of packaging. Then there are items
you may not use very often, so you might as well borrow them from someone instead of buying
them. Nowadays, newspapers can be read online so buying the paper edition is not necessary. The
same goes for emails and hence it is usually not necessary to print them out. Generally, the use of
electricity can be greatly reduced by, for example, turning off lights that are not used.
Reuse
When you go shopping, refuse plastic bags and bring a bag with you instead. If you’re not buying a
lot, a bag is not necessary to begin with. Reusable bags should be heavier and more durable. If you
prepare your lunch at home, put it in a plastic lunch box. I always keep shoe boxes as they are great to
store stuff. Many cities have collection points for used clothes. If you have clothes that are still in good
shape, you can bring them to the collection points rather than throwing them away.
Recycle
Recycling is a process that makes it possible to create new products out of old ones. Paper,
aluminium, glass and plastic can often be recycled.
Glass has been used for thousands of years and is relatively easy to recycle. Aluminium can
be repeatedly recycled quickly and easily. Paper is recyclable but it cannot be recycled forever.
The small fibres in paper eventually become very weak so that they can’t be recycled into good
paper anymore. Also, not every type of paper is recyclable as some high-quality paper is too
expensive to recycle.

A. Read the text quickly. What are the three Rs of the environment?
B. Read the text again. Are the statements True, False or Not Given?

Statements True, False or Not Given?

1. The author suggests borrowing certain items rather than buying them.

2. According to the author, shoe boxes can be very useful to store things.

3. Used clothes can be donated.

4. It’s not possible to recycle aluminum over and over again.

5. Empty plastic bottles are relatively easy to recycle.

C. Complete the sentences with information from the text.

1. are almost to full capacity.
2. If possible, try to buy items with little or no .
3. Bring your own bag but make sure it is and .
4. It’s a waste of paper if you print your .
5. Many cities have where people can take used garments that are
then redistributed to people in need.
6. There is a limit to how many times paper can be recycled because it is made of .
Preparation activities for ISE II Reading & Writing

Answers: The three Rs

A. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

B. 1. True 2. True 3. True 4. False 5. Not Given
C. 1. Landfills 2. Packaging 3. Heavy, durable 4. Emails 5. Collection points 6. Small fibres
 Reading & Writing

Student Worksheet
Task 2 – Multi-text Reading:
Bullying

A. Read the four texts and decide which text each question refers
to – A, B, C or D.

Which text

1. shows how negative traits can become positive? Text:

2. mentions further steps to end the problem discussed? Text:
3. refers to a more modern variant of the problem mentioned? Text:
4. gives reasons and consequences of bullying? Text:
5. gives advice on how to deal with aggression? Text:

B. Read the text again. Tick () the five statements from 1-8
below that are true according to the information given in the
four texts.

Statements ?

1. Cyberbullying is a modern form of bullying.

2. A number of celebrities are hardened by their negative

experience.

3. Bullying can have a negative influence on someone’s

performance at school.

4. Christian Bale used to react violently to being bullied.

5. After having lost weight, Tyra Banks became successful.

6. Some comedic actors think they learned how to be funny thanks

to the problems they had with bullies.

7. Selena Gomez was bullied when she was a kid.

8. Lady Gaga set up a charity with her colleague Brittany Snow to

end bullying.
 Reading & Writing

C. Complete the summary notes below with suitable words or

phrases from the texts.

Bullying: Summary Notes

 Celebrities are often the victim of cyberbullying which means constant

(1) ………………………… through social media

 Some deal well with this perhaps because of being bullied as a child

 Bullying can have an impact on schoolwork and (2) …………………………,

often psychological problems in later life

 T. Banks and M. Phelps were bullied because of their appearance but

ironically later thanked their (3)…………………………. to it

 Ch. Bale and Ch. Rock didn’t use (4) ………………………… in response to
their bullies

 S. Gomez and Rihanna became stronger because of the experience

 Lady Gaga wants to give hope to her fans and B. Snow started a (5)
………………………… to end bullying
 Reading & Writing

Reading Text
Bullying

A. Bullying is of all times, but a more recent phenomenon is

cyberbullying in which the bully uses email, text messages, twitter and
other social media or online forums to hurt the victim. It is no
surprise that celebrities who are constantly in the public eye are
cyberbullied relentlessly. Celebrities are critized literally for every
move they make. A lot of the comments are about looks. Celebrities
need to have a thick skin to deal with this constant stream of criticism.
Some seem to do fine though. This may have to do with past
experiences as surprisingly many celebrities have been the victim of
bullying when they were young. Bullying is a serious problem to such
an extent that many children and teenagers are afraid to go to school.
The main reasons for becoming a victim of bullying are appearance
and social status. Bullies attack their victims physically and
psychologically. Bullying can have terrible effects on its victims.
Schoolwork may suffer, but also health. Research suggests that
victims may suffer from mental health problems later in life such as
depression, low self-esteem and anxiety. This doesn’t have to be the
case though. Many famous people have been bullied as a child and
despite this experience have become very successful.

B. We cited appearance as a major reason for being bullied. Ironically,

the exact reason for being bullied has made some celebrities
successful. Supermodel Tyra Banks for example was made fun of for
being so thin. This exact thin physique helped her to have a very
successful career as a model. Athlete Michael Phelps was bullied in
school for his long arms. Later he won several medals at the Olympic
Games and those long arms will certainly not have been at his
disadvantage.
 Reading & Writing

C. Batman actor Christian Bale used to be beaten up a lot when he was a

kid. He feels that it has made him stronger. It was for him a lesson for
life. Christian didn’t hit back. Violence often makes things worse as
you don’t know what the bully’s response will be. Using violence could
in the end have brought him more trouble. Holding the anger cannot
be easy but perhaps humor can be thrown in to fend the bully off.
Comic actor Chris Rock for example claims he developed his quick wit
as a response to being bullied.

D. Actor and singer Selena Gomez was bullied all the way through
elementary and middle school. She said that it was her energy and
focus that made her a target. Ultimately, the experience has made her
a stronger person. A similar story we hear from colleague singer
Rihanna. She also got bullied in school but now she is even grateful as
the teasing has made her tough. Extravagant pop star Lady Gaga
went even further as she actively uses her experience of being bullied
to reach out to her fans and this way tries to give them hope. Singer
and actor Brittany Snow also used her negative experience for
something positive by setting up a non-profit organization that seeks
to put an end to bullying.
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key
A. 1. B
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. B

B. True statements: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7

C. 1. criticism
2. health
3. success
4. violence
5. non-profit organisation

Original sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/celebrities-who-survived-
bullying_b_3367046.html
http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/bullying/bullies.html
 Reading & Writing

Student Worksheet
Task 2 – Multi-text Reading:
National Customs

ISE II Reading practice

Part 1
Text A

Wedding Customs
(Insert image of wedding)

There are a great number of traditional wedding customs across the world
and they are all equally fascinating. Of course, not everyone follows them
nowadays but it is interesting to learn about them.

In England, brides traditionally wear a white or ivory-coloured dress. There is

a little saying that they should also wear ‘something borrowed, something
blue, something old and something new.’ In the Middle East and the Indian
sub-continent, the female relatives and friends from both the bride’s and
groom’s families decorate their hands and feet with beautiful intricate designs
using deep red henna paste. In India, the bride and groom exchange garlands
of flowers after the religious ceremony to cement their relationship. In
Germany, when a little girl is born, several trees are planted which are later
sold to pay for the wedding. One of the customs in Greece is to bring old
crockery and smash it to attract good luck. In China, auspicious dates are set
by expert astrologers to ensure the union remains secure. Brides do not see
the grooms before the actual wedding day as it is seen as bad luck.
 Reading & Writing

Text B

Birthday Celebrations
(Insert image of birthday party)

Different countries around the world celebrate birthdays in a variety of ways.

Birthday cakes have increasingly become popular across the world with many
bakers producing brilliant works of art. There are many customs unique to
different cultures which are also fun. In China, long noodles signify longevity
and the person celebrating their birthday needs to slurp a super-long noodle
before biting into it.

In many countries in Europe, people often have two birthdays – one for the
name of the saint they are named after and their own. In Mexico, the piñata
is popular at birthdays. A piñata is a form made of papier-mâché filled with
sweets and chocolates, moved around to be chased and broken open by
guests using a stick. In Vietnam, everyone celebrates their birthday on the
New Year as it is considered unlucky to celebrate the actual birthday.
 Reading & Writing

Text C

Customs about Money

(Insert image of money)

 In the Czech Republic, some people believe the custom of placing fish
scales under the dinner plates or table cloth at the Christmas dinner table
is said to bring wealth to the home. Some people apparently carry a fish
scale in the wallet to generate money.

 Some Turkish people believe that if the first customer throws silver coins
onto the floor of a business, it will attract more people.

 Some Indian shop-owners will not let the first window-shopper of the day
leave without buying something, even if it is only a button or a pin, as it
is considered unlucky for the rest of the day.

 Other people in India and Pakistan kiss money and press it against their
eyes for good luck.

Text D

Customs about Plants

(Insert image of plant)

 Finding a four-leaf clover is considered to be lucky by many people in the

UK and Republic of Ireland.

 In some Mediterranean families, a pot of the herb basil kept on the

window-sill or on the balcony is said to prevent bad luck and illness. Pine
needles are sometimes burnt with juniper and cedar to purify the
atmosphere.

 Garlic is used to keep away insects and evil spirits.

 Thyme is supposed to give courage

 A sprig of dried rosemary is used to protect the home.

 Reading & Writing

Part 2 - Reading Multiple Texts

In this part there are four short texts for you to read and 15 questions for
you to answer.

Questions 1-5 (1 mark per question)

Read questions 1-5 first and then read Texts A, B, C, and D.

As you read each text, decide which text each question refers to. Choose
one letter – A, B, C or D – and write it in boxes 1-5. You can use any
letter more than once.

Which text refers to Text

A. customs in some businesses 1

B. beliefs about the health properties of vegetation 2
C. traditions about nuptial ceremonies 3
D. different attitudes to personal anniversaries 4
E. colours for a special occasion 5

Questions 6-10 (1 mark per question)

Choose the 5 statements from A-H below that are TRUE according to the
information given in the texts above. Write the letters of the TRUE
statements in the boxes provided (in any order).

A. In some countries, people celebrate birthdays on one day.

True
B. Certain types of flora are believed to be dangerous.
Statements
C. Parts of a fish are considered to be good luck by some
people.

D. Some people celebrate two birthdays in the year. 6

E. In Greece, guests bring old plates and cups to smash at

7
weddings.

F. Flowers are not needed at Indian weddings. 8

F. Some British brides like to wear someone else’s jewellery on

9
their special day.
G. Indian shopkeepers are determined to sell to their last
10
customer.
 Reading & Writing

Questions 11-15 (1 mark per question)

The Summary Notes below contain information from the texts about
national customs. Find a suitable word or a phrase in the texts to
complete the missing information in gaps 11-15. Write your answers in
the spaces provided and you can use up to 5 words.

Summary Notes:
Wedding and birthday customs:

 In England, brides usually wear a white or (11) __________ dress.

 In the Middle East and Indian Sub-continent, brides and female
guests decorate their hands and feet with (12)_____________henna
tattoos.
 In Germany, trees are planted when baby girls are born and sold to
raise money for weddings
 In China , long noodles mean (13)__________________
Extension Activities:

Vocabulary development
Plants:
 Basil is said to prevent bad luck and illness.
 Four-leaf clovers are considered to be lucky
 Purify the atmosphere by burning (14) ___________________.
 Garlic is used to keep away (15) ______________ and evil spirits.
 Reading & Writing

Extension Activities
Task A: Similar meanings
Find synonyms from the texts for these words:

1 very fine; elaborate A intricate

2 extra important B
3 long life C
4 unfortunate D
5 create E
6 casual observer F
7 stop G
8 cleanse H

Task B: Opposite meanings

Find antonyms from the texts for these words:

1 modern A traditional
2 lent B
3 trainee, novice C
4 poverty, penury D
5 disliked E
6 pollute F
7 attract G
8 harm H

Task C: Grammar

Complete these sentences using the correct from of the verb in brackets:

1. In Turkey, it is believed (believe) that if the first customer ______

(throw) silver coins on to the floor of a business, it will _________
(attract) more people.

2. In China, long noodles ____________ (signify) longevity and the person

celebrating their birthday needs _______________ (slurp) a super-long
noodle before biting into it.

3. Thyme ___________ (supposed) to give courage and a sprig of dried

rosemary _________________ (use) to protect the home.
 Reading & Writing

Further Support Activities:

Task A – Synonyms:
Match the words with the correct meanings.

1. borrowed A. Extremely important

2. exchange B. safe

3. auspicious C. A lot of money

4. secure D. To stop
Use something belonging to another
5. wealth E.
person with permission
6. prevent F. To give and take something in return

Task B – Antonyms:
Find the words in the box which have the opposite meaning in the list.
There are two extra words which you will not need.

novice - attract – protect- unacceptable –brilliant – unfortunate - reckless

1. keep away
2. harm
3. dull
4. lucky
5. expert

Task C – Grammar
Choose the correct word in brackets to complete the sentence.
1. In Vietnam, everyone _____________ (celebrated; celebrate; is
celebrating) their birthday on the New Year as it is ___________
(consider; considering; considered) unlucky to celebrate their actual
birthday.
2. Some Indian shop-owners will not _______ (letting; be letting; let)
the first window-shopper of the day leave without buying something, even
if it ___ (be; are; is) only a button or a pin, as it is considered unlucky
for the rest of the day.
3. Pine needles are sometimes _______ (burning; burn; burnt) with
juniper and cedar to ___________ (purifies; purify; purified) the
atmosphere.
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key (Reading multiple texts)

1. C
2. D
3. A
4. B
5. A

6. A
7. C
8. D
9. E
10. F

11. ivory coloured

12. intricate

13. longevity (long-life)

14. pine needles ,juniper and

cedar
15. insects
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key (Extension Activities)

Task A: Similar meanings

1 very fine; elaborate A INTRICATE

2 extra important B AUSPICIOUS
3 long life C LONGEVITY
4 unfortunate D UNLUCKY
5 create E GENERATE
6 casual observer F WINDOW-SHOPPER
7 stop G PREVENT
8 cleanse H PURIFY

Task B: Opposite meanings

Find antonyms from the texts for these words:

1 modern A TRADITIONAL
2 lent B BORROWED
3 trainee , novice C EXPERT
4 poverty , penury D WEALTH
5 disliked E POPULAR
6 pollute F PURIFY
7 attract G KEEP AWAY
8 harm H PROTECT

Task C – Grammar

1. throws ; attract
2. signify ; to slurp
3. is supposed ; is used
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key (Further Support Activities)

Task A - Synonyms

Match the words with the correct meanings.

1. E
2. F
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. D

Task B – Antonyms

1. prevent
2. protect
3. brilliant
4. unfortunate
5. novice

Task C – Grammar

Choose the correct word in brackets to complete the sentence.

1. celebrates ; considered
2. let ; is
3. burnt ; purify
 Reading & Writing

Student Worksheet
Task 3 – Reading into Writing:
Family Business
Text A

The continued growth of family businesses

Family businesses today are a very important part of the economy as they
account for 65% of all private enterprises and for 40% of all private sector
employment. But how successful are they?

It is claimed that family businesses are more effective than other businesses
because they are more concerned with the long-term future of the company as
they want to transfer the business to the next generation. They also would like
to extend the family’s reputation locally, nationally, or even internationally.
There is usually little disagreement as to the financial benefits each family
member should take from the business.

However, there are drawbacks to family enterprises too. The head of the family
business may want to give relatives a chance when there are other people
outside the family who are better qualified to do the job. It is also rare for more
than one family member to have the required skills to drive the business in an
increasingly competitive environment.
 Reading & Writing

Text B

We asked members of the public if they would like to work in a family

business.

Frederic I think it would be really nice. We would all have to take

responsibility to create something we could be proud of
as a family.

Ling I wouldn’t really like it because I think it would be pretty

boring. I want to meet lots of different people in a large
and dynamic workplace.

Cathy We could never get away from work. Some people say
they couldn’t work with families, but I couldn’t work
without them.

Adam @ Ling

I used to work in a big company and it is not as

stimulating as you might think. Colleagues you thought
were friends aren’t always!

Sanjit I want to be an international lawyer so to achieve this is

not so easy with a family business. Besides, I would
rather have my own independence and be able to pursue
my own career path.
 Reading & Writing

Text C

Wednesday, 26th June

I am so excited! Tomorrow Mum and I will go and see our first

customers. I can’t believe it is only 6 weeks ago since I suggested to Mum
the idea of starting up our own wedding planning business. All because
my friend Sandy wanted to organise a different sort of wedding and she
couldn’t find anyone to help her to do it. And we helped her realise her
special day. She was so happy with the venue, food, flowers, everything!

It is essential we do a really good job with these first few customers so

we can build up a good reputation. Dad told us having your own business
isn’t as easy as we might think. He said it’s far more time consuming
than we could imagine, but the sense of satisfaction can be amazing.

I should sleep now as it’s already 1am. I’ve just realised I spent 3 hours
researching stuff for tomorrow!

Text D

Longevity of Family Businesses

 Reading & Writing

Questions

Read questions 1-5 first and then read Texts A, B, C and D below
the questions.
As you read each text, decide which text each question refers to. Choose
one letter - A, B, C or D - and write it in boxes 1-5. You can use any
letter more than once.

Which text

1. talks about the prospects for a new business she is Text

starting? 1.
2. analyses the long-term success of family businesses?
2.
3. expresses personal feelings about working in family
3.
firms?
4.
4. outlines some of benefits and weaknesses of a family
business? 5.
5. compares the economic importance of family
businesses with other businesses?
 Reading & Writing

Questions 6-10

Choose the 5 statements from A-H below that are TRUE according
to the information given in the texts. Write the letters of the TRUE
statements in the boxes provided (in any order).

A. Family businesses employ more people than other types True Statement
of businesses.

B. Family relatives are often not as qualified as outsiders to 6.

work in family businesses.
7.
C. Adam thinks Ling should be careful of colleagues she
chooses to be friends.
8.
D. Sanjit thinks he can achieve his ambitions within a family
business structure. 9.

E. The diary writer doesn’t believe that she would have had
10.
the idea for a business if her friend Sandy hadn’t had a
problem.

F. The diary writer was surprised how quickly the time had gone.

G. The majority of family businesses are passed onto a second

generation.

H. There is a steady decline of the success of family businesses with each

passing generation.
 Reading & Writing

Questions 11-15

The Summary Notes below contain information from the texts. Find a
suitable word or a phrase in the texts to complete the missing
information in gaps 11-15. Write your answers in the spaces provided and
you can use up to 3 words.

Notes on aspects of Family Businesses

Advantages of Family Businesses:

 Very important for the economy

 Family members have the 11) ___________ of the company at

heart.

 Everyone wants to build on the family’s reputation.

 Usually little disagreement among family members.

 Great 12) _______________ to build up your own business.

Drawbacks of Family Businesses:

 May employ family members when “outsiders” might be 13)

____________.

 Often only one family member who is the real driving force behind
the company

 Can have few opportunities to meet a wide variety of work

colleagues

 Less independence if you want to follow your 14)

________________.

A great challenge for future generations:

 The 15) __________ of a family business is not high as 70% of

family businesses do not make it past the first generation.
 Reading & Writing

Reading into writing task

Task

You have just heard a family friend wants to leave the family business.
Write an email of 150-180 words to him/her trying to persuade him/her
not to leave the family business. (Remember to use information from
all four texts to help you write your answer).

Plan the draft to the writing task here:

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Now complete the reading into writing task here:

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key
1. C 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. A
6. B 7. C 8. E 9. F 10. H

11. long term interests

12. sense of satisfaction
13. better qualified
14. career path
15. longevity

Model Answer

Dear Santiago
I have just heard that you want to leave the family legal business to go
and follow your own career.
As you know your family are upset with this decision as they had always
thought it would be you to carry on the family firm. I know the family
business takes up so much time. It must be tempting to go and do your
own thing so you can feel more independent and meet more people in a
larger workplace.
However, have you really considered the advantages of continuing the
family firm? It’s wonderful to be able to work with those nearest to you
that you can really trust. Also there is a real sense of pride and
satisfaction in keeping up the family reputation.
Did you know that 65% of all businesses are family ones but only 3% of
these businesses make it to a fourth generation? Just imagine how proud
you would be if you could pass on the business to your children!
I hope I can persuade you to change your mind.
Your friend
Esmeralda
(words 180)

Original Source (pie chart)

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=family+business+graph&biw=1366&
bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=30NaVcXLDKTW7Aapt
4HwCg&ved=0CCAQsAQ#imgrc=zQpAm8exuhHxMM%253A%3BHQehqWe
fBs_c_M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiq-search.net%252Fwp-
content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F09%252FFamily-
Infographic1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fiq-
search.net%252F%253Fpage_id%253D55%3B680%3B299
 Reading & Writing

Task 3 – Reading into Writing:

Endangered Animals
At a glance
Level: ISE II

Focus: Task 3 – Reading into writing

Aims: To read information about endangered animals, to answer questions

about the information and, to write an email expressing preference about
one endangered animal

Objectives: Speaking and reading about endangered animals, expressing

preferences and giving reasons for the selection of one animal

Skill: Skimming, deducing meaning from content, identifying information,

paraphrasing and summarising and synthesising information in texts in order
to write and express preferences and justify opinion

Topic: Endangered animals

Language functions: Expressing preferences, justifying choices and

making comparisons

Lexis: Lexis related to animals

Materials needed: Board, pens, access to internet and student worksheet

Timing: 60 minutes

Procedure
Preparation

1. Copy one study worksheet per student.

2. Find pictures of a leopard, a blue whale and an elephant. The
following websites are useful:
http://www.defenders.org/elephant/basic-facts
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/leopard/
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/blue-whale)

In class
1. Explain to the students that today’s lesson is preparation for Task 3 –
Reading into writing for the ISE II Reading & Writing exam. Write
‘Endangered Animals’ on the board and elicit what this means and
ask which animals the class thinks are endangered? Put some ideas
 Reading & Writing

Reading Texts – Endangered Animals

Text 1

LEOPARD

Leopards are graceful and powerful big cats closely related to lions, tigers,
and jaguars. The leopard is so strong and comfortable in trees that it
often pulls what it kills up into the trees. Leopards can also hunt from
trees, where their spotted coats look like leaves. They hunt at night and
go after other animals like antelope, deer, and pigs, hiding and walking
slowly and silently in tall grass. When human settlements are present,
leopards often attack dogs and, occasionally, people.

Leopards are strong swimmers and happy in water, where they

sometimes eat fish or crabs. They live in Africa, Asia, India and China.

Text 2

Blue Whale
POPULATION 
 10,000-25,000 individuals
SCIENTIFIC NAME 
 Balaenoptera musculus
WEIGHT
 Close to 200 tons
LENGTH
 80-100 feet
HABITATS
 Oceans

The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, weighing as much as
200 tons (approximately 33 elephants). The blue whale has a heart the
size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Its stomach can hold one ton of krill and it
needs to eat about four tons of krill each day. They are the loudest
animals on Earth and are even louder than a jet engine. Their calls reach
188 decibels, while a jet reaches 140 decibels. Their low frequency
whistle can be heard for hundreds of miles and is probably used to attract
other blue whales.

PLACES 
 Southern Chile, Gulf of California, Coral Triangle

HABITATS
 Ocean Habitat
 Reading & Writing

Text 3

GIANT PANDAS

The giant panda has a huge appetite for bamboo. Pandas will sometimes
eat birds or rodents as well.

Wild pandas live only in remote, mountainous regions in central China.

These high bamboo forests are cool and wet—just as pandas like it. Giant
pandas like to live alone. They have a highly developed sense of smell.

There are only about 1,000 giant pandas left in the wild. Perhaps 100
pandas live in zoos, where they are always among the most popular
attractions. Much of what we know about pandas comes from the study of
these zoo animals, because there are so few of their wild cousins.

Text 4
ELEPHANTS
Habitat loss Areas where they live will become
hotter and drier. Elephants will not
be able to find enough food and this
will threaten the survival of the
baby calves.
Human contact Humans are taking over elephant
habitats. Poaching for ivory is
becoming more common.
Behaviour Form deep family bonds. They live
in groups, (herds), led by the oldest
and largest female.
Extremely intelligent. Long
memories. Show signs of joy, anger
and sadness.
New discovery Elephants can communicate in
messages that travel over the
ground for long distances. Other
elephants get the messages
through their feet and trunks.
 Reading & Writing

Task 2 Language for the e-mail

Look at the incomplete phrases/ sentences below. Complete them

with words/ phrases from the box.

to support - not in favour of - prefer

I’d rather we - due to the fact that - need

because - support - rare

reason - believe

the largest - should - wouldn’t

1. I’d__________to save elephants.

2. The best animal__________is the leopard.

3. __________saved the blue whale.

4. The animal I__________we__________support is the giant panda.

5. This is__________it is__________animal on earth.

6. My__________is that pandas are__________.

7. This is__________elephants are very special animals.

8. I__________support a charity for leopards because they can attack

humans.

9. I am__________supporting a charity for elephants because humans

may__________ their habitat to live in.
 Reading & Writing

Task 3

Your school/ work-place has decided to support a Charity for one of the
animals you have read about. Write an email in the box below.

Write to the Charity Committee saying which animal you want to support
and why. Write about why you do not want to support the other animals.
Use the sentences you wrote before to help you with your email.

Write between 130-150 words

NEW MESSAGE

To : Charity Committee

From:

Subject: Charity Choice

Dear Charity Committee,

With best wishes,

____________
 Reading & Writing

Answer Key
Task 1

1. Elephants and blue whales can communicate over long distances.

Elephants get messages through their feet and trunks. Blue whales
have a very, very loud call and a whistle.
2. Leopards sometimes kill people in settlements. People are taking over
elephants’ habitats and poaching ivory.
3. Giant pandas like to live alone. Elephants live in groups (herds).
4. Leopards eat antelope, deer, pigs, sometimes dogs and people, crabs
and fish; blue whales eat krill; giant pandas eat bamboo, birds or
rodents; elephants -no information given
5. Trees (leopard)/ ocean habitat (Blue whales)/ mountains/ bamboo
forests (giant pandas) / elephant habitats will become hotter and
drier.

Task 2

1. I’d prefer
2. to support
3. I’d rather we
4. believe…. should
5. because…. the largest
6. reason………rare
7. due to the fact that
8. wouldn’t
9. not in favour of…..need
 Reading & Writing

Model Answer

NEW EMAIL

To: Charity Committee

From: Barbara Plum

Subject: Charity Choice

Dear Charity Committee,

I’d prefer to support a Charity for Leopards. Leopards are amazing and
beautiful animals. They can run extremely fast, are wonderful hunters and
manage to catch smaller animals by hiding in the trees at night. They are
powerful. I’d rather support leopards because they are related to animals
like lions and tigers and only sometimes hurt people. They can survive in
water and eat fish, so I think it is easy to help them.

I am not in favour of supporting a charity for Giant Pandas or Elephants

due to the fact that Giant Pandas and Elephants get a lot of publicity in
the world. There are many charities for Elephants and Pandas and zoos
look after pandas and many people go to the zoo and give money for
pandas. I wouldn’t support Blue Whales because they eat tons of krill and
this means that other ocean animals have less food.

With best wishes,

Barbara Plum

Original Sources:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/leopard/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/blue-whale)

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/giant-panda/

http://www.defenders.org/elephant/basic-facts