English What incredible stories

Pedagogical Module 5 have you heard?

Curricular Threads: Communication and Cultural Awareness,
Oral Communication, Reading, Writing, Language Through the Arts

Ninth Grade EGB

4 Legends, mythological creatures

Hi
st
or
3

y
Past progressive

La
ng
Oscar Wilde,
5

ua
Edgar Allan Poe

ge
2
ish

Simple past

an
d
gl

Li
te
En

ra
Unreal

tu
re
Will as future The meaning
1 World 6 of dreams

Ps
yc
ol
og
hy
Values

10 Critical thinking 9 Identity 8 Respect 7 Interculturality

Stories from The Past

Legends, fantasy stories, spooky stories; they are
all part of culture. Every legend or unreal tale has an
element that isn’t true, but it relates a little to reality.
These stories are known because older people
transmit them to younger generations, and in other
cases, younger people tend to create myths or new
stories based on their reality. These modern myths,
or urban legends, become popular on the internet
and social networks. Nevertheless, it’s absolutely
important to know about the origin of each tale, and
keep in mind that they are only a story, something
that isn’t true at all. These amazing stories are part
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of our identity. It’s great to know about them and

share them with other people.
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• What are the most famous legends in your city?

• What are you afraid of?

• Are you superstitious?

1
Lesson B

Communication and Cultural Awareness

Have you heard of “El árbol de Guayaba” folktale?

Ecuadorian Folktales
Read this article about a legend in the Galapagos Islands.

The Galápagos Islands are known for folktales. Their stories or legends
include pirates, treasures, curses and so on. From all the stories you may
have heard, there is one that should not be missed. On San Cristóbal Island,
there is a legend about “El árbol de Guayaba”. According to some local people,
it is believed that the “guayaba” is a fruit that was first introduced by Manuel
Julian Cobos in 1880. It is said that this man was so overprotective towards
this tree that he would not let anyone, except for his wife and himself,
touch it or taste its fruit. He was the owner of a huge plantation, called “El
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Progreso”, so he had more than 300 workers who were wanting to try that
delicious fruit because of the sweet smell it had. As a matter of fact, the
“guayaba”, whose scientific name is Psidium Guajava, is mainly characterized
by having fragrant glands on its leaves. Among the workers, there was a
World Fact
pregnant woman who had cravings for this “guayaba”, so her husband, who
Around the world, folktales was a worker too, stole one “guayaba” for her wife. Unfortunately, he was
are part of people’s identity caught and killed because of this. The pregnant woman was so angry that
and culture. In light of this she cursed this tree with a spell that involved turning the tree into a sort of
fact, thousands of folktales plague. From that moment on, “El árbol de guayaba” can be found all over
are passed down from the Galapagos Islands, and it is considered a problem because it does not let
generation to generation. So, other trees grow properly.
let’s read about an interesting
legend from the Galapagos
Islands! According to the reading, answer the questions below in complete
sentences using your own words.

1. Who was Manuel Julian Cobos?

Values: Identity

Don’t be afraid of telling folktales 2. Would you say that Manuel Julian Cobos was a bad person?
you have heard of. Be proud of Explain.
your culture and don’t let anyone
steal it from you!

Pair up and ask you partner the question below. Make sure to write
down their ideas in your notebook.

Vocabulary • Do you know an Ecuadorian legend?

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folktale. legend or myth • If so, where is it from? Who told you? What is your favorite part of
the legend?
curse. evil spell
• If you do not know a legend, do you think it is a good idea for people
pass down. be inherited to pass down folktales from generation to generation? Explain.

8
Language Through the Arts
History

Did you know that Latin America is popular because of the myths and legends every country has?

La Llorona
Read this interview. Two people are talking about a common myth known as,
“La llorona”.

Host Good morning Latin America. My name is Daniel and

today we have two people from two different countries,
Mexico and Ecuador. Both countries share a common
legend, “La llorona”, and we would like to compare the
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details of both stories, to see if there are more similarities

than differences. First, we have Antonio from Ecuador.
Antonio, tell us about “La llorona in Ecuador”.

Based on the reading, in Ecuadorian Well the myth tells us about a housewife, also known as
your notebook, complete the
“Mariangula”. In my opinion, it is related to “La llorona”
following graphic by writing
differences and similarities. from Mexico because the legend says that a female ghost
used to annoy this woman by shouting: “Mariangula, give
Example: it back to me, give back what you have taken from me”.

Host Wow, why did that ghost use to annoy Mariangula? What
did she take from her?
La Llorona Similarities La Llorona
In Ecuador between In Mexico
both Ecuadorian Well, people say she was asked to make dinner for her
husband; however, she had this bad habit of constantly
tasting the food while cooking. One night, she ended
up eating all the steaks she had cooked and there was
nothing left for her husband. Since she used to live near
a cementery, she had noticed that a burial had just taken
place. So, she went over there, opened the grave and took
the meat out of the corpse. It was a really dark thing to do,
but people say it worked because when her husband got
home, she had already cooked the meat. Her husband was
so satisfied with the food, that he fell asleep. At midnight,
she started to hear some whispers. She woke up and she
saw right in front of her the female-ghost of the female
corpse that was in that tomb saying “Mariangula, give it
back to me, give back what you have taken from me”. She
tried to wake her husband up, but he was in a deep sleep.
Pixabay / Peter H

Host Thank you for sharing this legend with us! Now, let’s
continue with Mario from México.

Mexican In Mexico, there is a legend that also includes a woman but

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in a different context. The female-ghost, called “La llorona”,

Vocabulary has been seen on the roads. It is said that she tends to
cry because she is looking for her children, who she had
corpse. dead body actually murdered.

10
Reading
History

How are legends, myths and folktales part of people’s culture?

Oral Tradition
1. Read this article about story telling.

Story telling is one of the best ways to preserve culture because it gives
people the chance to pass down knowledge from generation to generation.
Folktales are also a way to preserve languages from an oral perspective,
because there are some languages that do not have a standardized written
system; and, therefore, no alphabet. Additionally, stories help children
develop imagination. As you can see, even if legends are only partially true,
there are many advantages when it comes to folktales and oral tradition. The
question is what happens when they are not passed down? Basically, part of
the culture itself will get lost. Because of this, you should try to document as
many legends as you can, so that they can be preserved for future generations.
So, the next time a relative or an elderly friend of yours wants to share a
legend with you, make sure to have something to document it!
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2. Based on the reading, decide whether the following statements are

True(T) or False(F).
Write down some possible
ideas to change the way a. Story telling does not help preserve culture.
people think about story
b. Folktales pass down knowledge.
telling from a positive
perspective. Share them c. Thanks to legends, languages can be preserved.
in class and discuss them
in detail. Work in small groups. d. Stories help develop children’s imagination.

e. Legends are always 100 % true.

f. Folktales can be partially true.

3. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. Are legends culturally accepted in your city?

b. In your opinion, is it important for people to tell legends? Support

your answer.

c. In your view, who knows more legends: children, middle-aged or

elderly people? Support your answer.
Vocabulary
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standardize. give something

formal rules d. Why should story-telling should be documented? Support your
answer.
document. written record,
register

12
Writing

What are some of the best legends you have heard about?

Writing a Legend
Tip
You are going to write a legend you have heard of. Your legend is expected
to be written in a paragraph. Make sure to be precise and use the past If possible, watch the “past
continuous and past simple. continuous tense vs past
simple: The Mysterious Stalker
Take the following legend as an example. (Suspense Thriller Short - ESL
Video)” video on YouTube,
so that you have a general idea
The Unknown Baby of the grammar involved.
Local people from where I live claim to have listened to a baby crying
at night. The interesting thing is that the noise is always heard in the same
place, which is, in the woods. Another creepy fact is that people who
have heard the noise had been all alone. People say they hear that noise
because many years ago a woman and her baby went missing one night in
the woods. As a matter of fact, yesterday I was walking back home, when Grammar Tip
all of the sudden I heard a baby, so I turned around but no one was there!
It’s just unbelievable! Past Progressive
(Subject + was/were + verb in
gerund –ing + Complement)
1. Now, it is your turn! Use your own information, be sure to use the past Yesterday I was walking back
continuous and past simple. home.
Longer action
Past Simple
(Subject + verb in past tense +
Complement)
When all of the sudden I heard a
baby, so I turned around but no one
was there.
Shorter action

2. Now, draw your legend! The past progressive is used

to point out a longer action in
progress in the past, where as the
past simple is used to mention
shorter actions that interrupt the
longer action. Both tenses are
separated by a comma.
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Challenge. Present a five-

3. After you have finished writing your legend, exchange notebooks with minute presentation about
a partner. Review their writing and discuss possible ways to improve your legend.
the legend.
13
Lesson C

Communication and Cultural Awareness

Where do legends come from?

The Origin of Legends

Legends. Where are they from? What was the first legend ever told?
It all started out in the 8th century BC with the mythological story of
Homer’s Odyssey, which introduces the so-called Cyclopes. Since then,
thousands of legends that include folklore, oral traditions and even
strange animals (or monsters) have been told. Therfore, it can be said
that what makes legends special has to do with the fact that they share
similar storylines. Moreover, according to Michael Witzel, a linguist
from Harvard University, many myths do have a common origin,
which is a rather complex point of view because not every single culture
around the world has had the chance to be in contact with each other
due to geographical reasons. Nevertheless, does this mean that human
beings share the same spiritual origins just because most of the legends
k
epi

share some common features? What do you think?

Fre

1. Read the article again. Answer the questions. Use your own words.
World Fact

Every city or small town a. What was the first legend ever told?
has its own legend, or more
recently, urban legend. The
question is: How did some
legends really begin? To find
b. What kind of mythical creature was introduced in Homer’s Odyssey?
out the answer, let’s read this
interesting paragraph!
c. What is Michael Witzel’s theory about?

d. Do you agree with Michael Witzel’s theory? yes/no. Support

your answer.

Pair up and ask you partner the question below. Make sure to write
down their ideas in your notebook.

• Do you know an urban/local legend?

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Vocabulary • If so, who told you? What is your favorite part of the legend?

urban legend. a strange, • If you do not know a legend, do you think it is a good idea for people
somewhat contemporary story to come up with a legend just to pass it down from generation to
that is not completely true generation? Explain.

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Oral Communication

Have you ever heard of “La Torera”?

She Did What?!

Values: Critical thinking

It is important to support
your point of view as long as
you provide valuable reasons!
You don’t have to agree with
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everything people say nor

disagree with everything they
say. Just think before speaking.

1. Research La Torera and decide whether the following statements are

True(T) or False(F).

a. La Torera was from Quito.

b. La Torera was a bullfighter.

c. Ana Bermeo wore fashionable 1950’s women’s clothes.

d. People in their 30’s recall her.

2. After your research, answer the following questions in complete

sentences.

a. What is your opinion about Ana Bermeo?

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rnejo/F
lia Co
©Eula

b. Have you ever heard of someone similar? Describe the person.

Imagine that you are living in the time of La Torera. In groups of three Vocabulary
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students, one of you is La Torera and the other two are people who
meet her on the street. What would you ask her? What would she say? bullfighter. a person who
participates in a bullfight
Write a conversation with five lines per person to perform in front of
the class. recall. remember

19
Reading

Have you ever heard of Ernesto Albán?

Don Evaristo Corral y Chancleta

When it comes to stories from Quito, Ernesto Albán, commonly known

as Don Evaristo Corral y Chancleta, is a legend! Ernesto was born in Ambato
in 1912, and he started his career as a singer as well as an actor. What is
Wikimedia Commons/ David Adam Kess
interesting about him is that he was greatly influenced by Charles Chaplin,
so he was into comedy. Furthermore, Don Evaristo was so famous that he
used to appear in Quito’s tv commercials. Moreover, he used to be the main
character in plays such as “Estampas de mi Ciudad”. The way he used to speak
is what Quiteños know as “la sal Quiteña”. Therefore, there is a statue that
portrays him as Don Evaristo which is located in La Plaza del Teatro. Next time
you visit Quito, make a stop at this place and take a picture of yourself with
Don Evaristo!

1. Based on the reading, decide whether the following statements are

Write a paragraph about True(T) or False(F).
an icon you have in your city
or town. Share it with the a. Ernesto Albán played Don Evaristo.
whole class. Did you and your
partners write about the same b. Charles Chaplin was influenced by Ernesto Albán.
person? Explain.
c. Ernesto Albán was a singer.

d. Ernesto Albán was an actor.

e. Ernesto Albán was born in Quito.

f. Ernesto Albán influenced “la sal Quiteña”.

2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. Are there any legends similar to Don Evaristo in your city?

b. In your opinion, is it important for people to have icons like Don

Evaristo? Support your answer.
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c. In your view, who knows more about icons like Don Evaristo: children,
Vocabulary middle-aged or elderly people? Support your answer.
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statue. three-dimensional
sculpture, often of a person

portray. represent, depict

20
Writing
What is the strangest legend you have ever heard?

Writing a Legend in a Different Style

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You are going to write the same strange legend two different ways. The
first version will be how you normally write. To make the second version
more dramatic, use the tips below.

• Replace “a or an” with this, and replace “some” with these.

• Also change the past tense to the present simple.

1. Look at the examples below.

Normal Legend - The Unknown Baby

Some people from where I live claim to have listened to a baby crying at
night. The interesting thing is that a noise is always heard in the same place,
that is, in the woods. Another creepy fact is that people who have heard
the noise had been all alone. People say they hear that noise because many
years ago a woman and her baby went missing one night in the woods. Last
night, I was with my girlfriend walking back home and she said: “Did you
hear that?” and I answered: “Is it a baby?” and then she said: “The legend is
true. No one else except for us is here…”

Dramatic Legend - The Unknown Baby

These people from where I live claim to have listened to this baby crying
at night. The interesting thing is that this noise is always heard in the same
place, that is, in the woods. Another creepy fact is that people who hear the
noise are all alone. People say they hear that noise because many years ago After you have finished
a woman and her baby went missing one night in the woods. Last night, I writing your legend, exchange
notebooks with a partner.
am with my girlfriend walking back home and she says: “Do you hear that”?
Review their writing and
and I answer: “Is it a baby?” and then she says: “The legend is true”. No one discuss possible ways to
else except for us is here… improve the legend.

2. Now, it is your turn! Write two short paragraphs so that you notice the
difference in the style.

Normal One

Prepare a short presentation

about your legend. See which
paragraph sounds more
dramatic.

Dramatic One
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21
Language Through the Arts

What are some legends that include giants?

Mythological Creatures
Read this interview with 2 researchers. One of them believes giants existed,
the other one thinks they were not real.

Host Good morning Ecuador. My name is Daniel. Today

we have two remarkable researchers who are going to
defend their thesis statements regarding the existence
or nonexistence of giants. First, we have Efraín from
Ecuador. He believes that giants existed, so please tell
us about that.

Efraín Well the the truth is they existed because of the fact that
there are ancient writings that confirmed the existence of
giants. Moreover, there are some archeologists who have
Pixabay / Prawny

found giant 6,500 year-old skeletons in Bulgaria. Other

ones have been found in Rome. They are between 6 and 8
feet tall.

Host Thank you for your answer.

Who do you agree with?
Why? Discuss your answer Efraín No problem.
with a partner.
Host Next, we have Israel, who does not believe in giants. So,
please tell us why you think giants don’t exist.

Israel Well to begin with, it is a myth, so, as you know, a myth is

not always 100 % true. Second, some discoveries have been
proven to be fake.

Host Interesting! Thank you for your answer.

Israel It was a pleasure.

Read the article again. Write if the sentences are True(T) or False(F).

a. According to Efraín, giants were fake.

b. According to Efraín, there are giant skeletons in Germany.

c. According to Israel, giants were fake.

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d. According to Israel, some discoveries were fake.

Vocabulary e. There have been some archeological findings.

nonexistence. absence

22
Lesson B

Communication and Cultural Awareness

What is the weather like in your city?

How is the Weather?

Culture
1. Read this article about the weather in Quito.
How to dress for Quito,
Ecuador? Since the weather is Until the 2000s, Quito and Ecuador in general used to have predictable
so unpredictable, what do you weather in light of the fact that the two constant seasons, summer
think people who visit Quito (also known as dry season) and winter (also known as wet season),
for the first time should know never happened at the same time. However, in the last few years, people
regarding clothing? in Quito don’t know what to wear, due to the fact that you never know
This unpredictability is whether it is going to be chilly or sunny. Regardless of where you are
because of changes in the and what the weather looks like, take into account that Quito is still
atmosphere. Some of them a conservative city; therefore, it is socially acceptable to dress fairly formal
are because of deforestation. and carry a light coat with you. People also say it is a good idea to carry
a small umbrella just in case.

2. According to the reading, answer the questions below in complete

sentences using your own words.
a. How was the weather in Quito and Ecuador in general back in the
2000s?

b. How has been the weather lately?

3. Pair up and ask you partner the question below. Make sure to write down
their ideas.
What do you wear during the week? What do you think people should
Value: Responsibility always carry due to the unpredictable weather? Why has this climate
change happened?
Before blaming others for
the climate change, accept
your moral responsibility for it,
and do something about it!
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Vocabulary

conservative. resistant
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to be changed or modified

8
Language Through the Arts
Language and Literature

Have you ever heard of Ernest Hemingway? What do you know about him?

Ernest Hemingway
1. Read this biography about Ernest Hemingway.

It’s not new that the weather has inspired great masterpieces
like songs, books and paintings. Ernest Hemingway’s masterpieces
are some of these examples. He won The Nobel Prize in Literature
in 1954. He was born in Illinois and was very famous for novels
such as ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, ‘The Sun Also Rises’, ‘A Farewell
Pixabay / Antonio Salgueiro

to Arms’, ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’, ‘The Nick Adams Stories’
and ‘To Have and Have not’. Interestingly, he wrote in the bedroom
of his house! Once in an interview, he said that rainy days inspired
him the most. He used to sit down in his house, and look through
the window… Ideas came to him, and the result was amazing literature
masterpieces. What about you? Do you have a diary or something like
that? Do you like writing when you are in your bedroom? Why don’t
you start writing on a daily basis? Maybe you could be the next Nobel
Prize winner.

2. Circle the correct answers based on the reading.

• Ernest Hemingway won:

a. The Oscar b. The Nobel c. The Emmy

Award Prize Award

• Ernest Hemingway was born in:

a. Toronto b. London c. Illinois

• Ernest Hemingway was a:

a. singer b. actor c. author

3. According to the reading, why did he win a Nobel Prize? Would you like
to win one? If so, what would be your book about? What do you think
you need to accomplish that goal?

Vocabulary
4. Get into groups and talk about a similar author. Does he or she have
masterpiece. an extremely something in common with Ernest Hemingway? If so, what are the similar
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excellent piece of art, features? If not, what makes them different from each other? Brainstorm
particularly in literature as many ideas as you can. Then, share your ideas with the whole class.
and painting

on a daily basis. everyday

10
Reading

How reliable do you think weather forecasts are?

Weather Forecast Reliability

1. Read this weather forecast.

Weather forecasting is a method to predict the weather. According

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to the BBC News, Admiral Robert FitzRoy created a way to predict

the weather in the 1860s. He was the first who used the word “forecast”
to refer to weather predictions. He was a sailor, and he observed
the clouds and bird’s behavior to predict rains.
However, in real life, everything said by forecasters does not always
It is a sunny day happen. There is proof that they are not always accurate. What they
present is not 100% accurate but around 80%. It is interesting that it
all started by using people’s naked eyes. In all honesty, people have
always used their eyes to predict the weather and it has surprisingly
worked out. So, next time you watch the weather forecast, don’t rely
on everything they say, be wise and take some precautions in case
the day turns out to be sunny, cloudy, rainy, stormy, windy, cold,
It is a cloudy day It is a rainy day snowy, foggy or hot. You never know.

2. Based on the reading, decide whether the following statements are

True(T) or False(F).

a. A sailor invented a way to predic rainy weather.

It is a stormy day It is a windy day
b. Weather forecasting has been scientifically proven.

c. Weather forecasting is always correct when predicting.

d. Some people use their naked eyes to predict the weather.

e. Always rely on everything forecasters say.

It is a cold day It is a snowy day

3. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a. How accurate is weather forecasting in your city?

It is a foggy day It is a hot day

b. Do you think forecasters are fully reliable?
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4. Do you like to talk about the weather? If so, do you think it is one of the
best ways to start out a conversation? If not, why? Share your answers
Vocabulary with your partners.
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to predict. to say what will

happen in the furture

accurate. exact or precise

12
Writing

Has the weather been crazy in your city lately? Why?

Weather Blog
1. Write a paragraph about how crazy the weather is. Your paragraph
is expected to include the following information:
a. What was the weather like yesterday?

b. What has the weather been like lately?

Take the following paragraph as an example. Make sure to focus on the

present perfect that is in italics font and the simple past that is underlined.
Read this weather forecast.

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Yesterday, the weather was crazy because in the morning I enjoyed
a beautiful sunny day, but in the afternoon everything changed all of
the sudden. It started to rain and lasted for two to three long hours!
Lately, the weather has been so unpredictable, in the last five months
I have changed my outfit in the same day three times.

2. Now, it's your turn! Use your own information, be sure to use modal verbs.

Grammar Tip

Present perfect:
(have/has + verb in past
participle)
3. Once you are done, hand in your book to your classmate and give It is used to talk about recent
yours to your partner as well. Check your classmate’s paragraph by past events that are not
providing feedback. Make sure to verify your partner answers the finished. Therefore, the time
questions provided. Improve your paragraph by following your partner’s is unspecified. It is also used
suggestions. to talk about repeated actions
in the past until now, and,
as seen in the context of this
lesson, it is used to focus
on the change over time.
The time expressions that
are used are the following:
4. Prepare a five-minute presentation about your paragraph. During your
Today, this week, this year,
presentation, you may ask some questions to be sure everyone is paying
this year, so far, until now,
attention. recently, lately, already, since,
just, yet, ever, never, how long
(once, twice, three times, etc.)
Simple past: (verb in past
form: regular and irregular
verbs)
It is used to talk about
a specific finished event
in the past.
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13
Lesson C

Communication and Cultural Awareness

Is there such a thing as a recycling culture in your city? Is recycling worth it?

Culture Recycling
1. Read this article about recycling.
In some countries in
the world, recycling is
mandatory. Even in schools, All around the world, recycling campaigns have been promoted
children learn how to recycle. to do something about pollution and global warming. However, despite
This good habit is not new, living under these circumstances, few countries have decided to recycle
but not everybody does it and some others have tried to, but all in all, there is a lot of work
because of many reasons. One to be done on that subject. For example, Ecuador has started to recycle
of them is lack of information metal junk and plastics, among other things. Nevertheless, few people
or interest. People used to take this matter seriously. On the other hand, there are other countries
waste a lot, and that is one of like Switzerland where recycling is a must and part of their culture.
the causes of pollution. It’s For example, waste sorting is seen everywhere you go in Switzerland.
easy to recycle and the planet
will be thankful.

Value: Natural environment

conservation

Pixabay / mohamed_hassan
Every time you finish drinking
a bottle of water, think carefully
of placing it in the correct place!
Remember, it is up to all of us
to take care of the planet we
all live on! Stop killing our
2. According to the reading, answer the questions below in complete
beautiful planet!
sentences using your own words.
a. In general terms, is there such a thing as a recycling culture in Ecuador?

b. What has been done regarding recycling in Ecuador?

3. Pair up and ask you partner the question below. Make sure to write down
their ideas.
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Vocabulary a. Do you recycle? If so, what do you recycle? Do you think people
should recycle? What can you do to make Ecuador a better place
on that subject. about
the particular topic to live by means of recycling?

18
Reading

What does recycling involve? Is it possible to recycle anything?

Do you like recycle? If so, What on Earth Is Recycling?

what do you think is one 1. Read this article about recycling materials
of the best ways to start
recycling? If not, why?
Share your answers with The key to recycling has to do with sorting materials. Once they are
your partners. sorted, the idea is to turn them into new products. Therefore, from this
point of view, recycling keeps us from greenhouse gas emissions which
affect our planet dramatically. Now, one could wonder, is it possible
to recycle anything? In theory, it is possible, but in practice there are
some materials such as Styrofoam which is reduced to almost nothing
after being recycled. Consequently, there isn’t enough material left
to start making new products. Simply put, recycling these kind
of materials ends up being a waste of energy which goes against
the recycling principle itself. As it happens, recyclable materials can
include paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and glass. Overall, recycling
reduces the amount of waste accumulated in landfills.

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2. Based on the reading, decide whether the following statements are
True(T) or False(F).

a. The key to recycling has to do with classifying materials.

b. The recycled materials are not used to make new products.

c. Theoretically speaking, anything is recyclable.

d. In practice, not everything is recyclable.

e. Styrofoam is a material that can be easily recyclable.

f. Paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard cannot be recycled.

Vocabulary g. Waste in landfills is reduced thanks to recycling.

to sort. to classify 3. Answer the following questions in your own words.

to wonder. to ask yourself a. How many people recycle in your city?
styrofoam. foam
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simply put. in other words

b. How does recycling help the environment?
cardboard. carton

landfill. waste disposal site

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Writing
Why should beople be interested in recycling? How can they start?

Giving Advice on How to Recycle

Grammar Tip
1. Write a paragraph about how to recycle. Your paragraph is expected
to include the following information: Will: (will + verb in base form)
• What will you do in order to recycle? It is used to talk about the
future based on instant
• What materials are you going to recycle? decisions and promises.
2. Take the following paragraph as an example. Make sure to focus on the use Expressions such as “I think”
of will that is underlined and going to that is in italics. and “maybe” are commonly
used.
From now on, I will recycle plastic • I’ll go to the party with you.
bottles. It's a decision and a promise • She’ll come here as soon as
I'll keep for the rest of my life. In order possible.
to do this, I have to plan how I am going • They’ll bring the food and the
to do it. In August, I am going to start drinks.
college, and from the very first day
Notice that the modal “will”
of class, I am planning to keep every single
is the same for all the subject
plastic bottle I use daily in order to put it
pronouns.
the right recycling container. I will do it
for at least 8 days, so it becomes a habit. Going to: (going to + verb
I think, I will sell some plastic bottles too. in base form)
I will do my best to support and promote
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It is used to talk about future

recycling.
plans.
• I’m going to call you when
I get home.
Now, it is your turn! Use your own information, be sure to use modal • She’s going to travel abroad
verbs. next year.
• • We’re going to organize
a party.
•
Notice that the only verb
• that you congujate is the verb
to be.!
•

3. Once you are done, hand in your book to your classmate and give yours
to your partner as well. Check your classmate’s paragraph by providing
feedback, that is, opportunities to improve the paragraph itself. Make
sure to verify your partner answers the questions provided. Then,
return the books. Improve your paragraph by following your partner’s
suggestions.

Prepare a five-minute presentation about your paragraph. During your

presentation, you may ask some questions to make sure everyone
is paying attention.
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Language Through the Arts

What do you think dumpster diving means?

Dumpster Diving
1. Read this article about dumpster diving.

As you could imagine, dumpster diving involves more than

just looking for items of value through the trash, for it is seen as
part of the culture in some developed and developing countries.
Moreover, it is an activity that takes a lot of patience and time,
because one never knows what is going to be found. As a matter
of fact, it is said that sometimes people are not aware of what they
throw in the trash. Aside from making some money by selling
the things they might find, dumpster divers help the environment
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in the sense that they do a sort of recycling-related activity. However,

it is not an easy task because one cannot randomly go to a dumpster and
start diving. Before doing that, people not only need to be sure to wear
protective clothing but also be sure what kind of dumpster they have
in front of them and what kind of garbage it contains.

2. Circle the correct answers based on the reading.

• Dumpster diving basically involves:

b. saving c. looking for items of

a. swimming
money value in the garbage

• Dumpster diving is done in:

a. developing b. developed
c. both
countries countries

• In order to perform this activity, one should:

a. wear protective
b. be confident c. be fearless
clothing

3. According to the reading, why do you think people perform this kind
of activity? Would you say these people deserve the same respect
for what they are doing as in any other way of making a living?

4. Get into groups and talk about dumpster diving as a way people earn
a living. Brainstorm as many ideas as you can. Then, share your ideas
with the whole class.
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Vocabulary

fearless. not to be afraid

of anything

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