University"Alexandru Ioan Cuza", Iasi

College of Orthodox Theology "Dumitru Staniloae"

English Portofolio

Student:

Manolache Andrei

Social Assistance, 3-nd year

- Iasi -

2012

Exercises

Back to Basics

The following sentences do not make a par as they stand; re-oreder, rephrase and restructure them to make a sutable par beginning with a topic sentence;

I. (1) Thought changes in education come slowly, there is often a fairly quick recognition that school textbooks, should keep pace with modern expectations and conditions.

II. (4) New school textbooks can be very exciting for teachers and students alike.

III. (3) Choosing a new textbooks is a difficult decisions for teachers.IV. (9) Sometimes books are chozent for quiestionable reasons or by the

wrong people.V. (10) School directors often unfairly influence teacher choice.VI. (2) Teachers in Romania are currently facinf the problem of choosing

new textbooks for many school subjects.VII. (6) There are so many new textbooks on the market nowadays.VIII. (5) Many new textbooks are visually attractive but lack substantial

content .IX. (7) Publishers often promote books with expenses-paid weekend

programmes in nice hotels or free copies of books to techers, free posters or other attractive gifts.

X. (8) There is not a lot of guidance available to the ordinary classroom teacher choosing a book for his/her class.

Unit 6 – Discursive Essays

Ex. 5 / 40Fill in the gaps usig words from the table.

1. Some people support the view that the wealthier countries of the world should support the less developed countries.

2. One major drawback/disadvantage of using public transport is that it can get very crowded during busy periods.

3. Environmentalists advocate banning the use of cars in the city centre.4. Another negative aspect of keeping pets is that veterinary bills can be extremely

expensive.5. It is widely suggested/argued that nuclear weapons should be banued worldwide ro

eliminate the threat of nuclear war.6. A further advantage of owning a mobile phone is that one can contact others from

almost anywhere.

Ex. 9 / 40Fill in the gaps using words/phrases from the list. Some words/phrases can be used

more than once. up to a point, especially, indeed, this means, needless to say, in general, in fact, the fact that, obviously, example.

1. In general , people have mixed feelings about the effects tourism has on a country.2. Most people believe that computers always make life easier, but in fact, the opposite is

sometimes true since they often cause problems whem they break down. 3. Indeed testing produts on animals is cruel, but it is difficult to find a suitable alternative.4. A typical example of the benefits of country life is the fact that there is very little

pollution from traffic.5. The fact that more and more zoos are closing down shows that fewerpeople agree with

keeping animals in captivity and, therefore, do not want to visit them any longer. 6. Using public transport can be nuisance, especially when buses and trains are late during

rush hours periods. 7. Advances in medical asciences mean that cures have been found for many diseases.

Needless to say people live longer nowadays. 8. In general, most people agree that more effort should be made where the recycling of

material is concerned.

9. More and more women are going back to work after the birth of their children and this means they have to find someone to look after the children during the day.

Ex. 10 / 40Join the sentences using the linking words in the list below.

due to, in addition to, on the grounds that, therefore, with the intention of.1. The government has launched a campaign to promote new businesses in rural areas

with the intention of drawing people away from the large urban centres.2. In addition to being a highly entertaining medium, television can also be an excellent

educational tool.3. Freedom of expression is one of man’s basic inalienable right, therefore people should

be allowed to publish books containing all their beliefs and ideas.4. Consumerism is becoming more and more a part of modern societies due to advertising

and the mass media. 5. Many people object to smoking on the grounds that passive smoking can be extremely

harmful to one’s health.

Unit 7 – Letters

Ex. 1 / 50Look at the different layouts. Which are used to write a formal, semi-formal or informal

letter? Which one would you use to write a letter to a) someone you know but are not on intimate terms with? b) a relative? c) a company manager whose name you know/don’t know? d) the authorities? A. B. C. Dear Margot, Dear Mr and Mrs Connelly, Dear Mr Ford

Love, Best Wishes, Yours sincerely, Chris Alberto Ponti Adam Clayton

D. E.Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Sirs,

Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully,Helen Perkins Jessica Collins

A – Informal letter

B – semi-formal letterC – formal letterD – informal letterE – informal letter

a) Bb) Ac) - know name – C

-unknow name - D

Ex. 2 / 50Read these extracts and say which is a) informal, b) semi-formal and c) formal. Then,

underline the characteristics which indicate the style in each extract. What is the purpose of writing these letters? Who are letters addressed to?A – formalB – informalC. – semi-formal

A. Formal language (advanced vocabulary, complex sentences, no abbreviated forms)B. Abbreviated forms , Informal language and style

Phrasal verbs Colloquial language Idioms

C. Respectful tone

Ex. 3 / 50Read the following writing task instructions and say what type of letter you would be

expected to write in each case.1. Semi-formal2. Formal3. Informal4. Formal5. Formal6. Semi-formal

Ex. 1 / 61Fill in the correct words/phrases from the list below. Try to include them in your letters.

inevitable, gift voucher, isolated incident, circumstances beyond our control, at your disposal, compliments, complimentary, oversight.

1. I assure you than this is an isolated incident (single occurrence which is unlikely to happen again).

2. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be able to offer an alternative venue for the concert. (something which we have no control over)

3. Failure to repair the equipment was due to an oversight on our part. (failure to notice something)

4. It is inevitable that our prices will rise periodically. (certain)5. We are delighted to enclose gift voucher tickets for our forthcoming concert, by way of

compensation. (free)6. A complete refund cannot be given but a complimentary for the amount has been

enclosed. (token)7. Please accept the enclosed with our compliments. (regards)8. In light of your previous experience, I would like to assure you that all computers will be

at your disposal. (available for use whenever you like)

Ex. 2 / 61Fill in the gaps with a suitable preposition.

1. This situation was due to an oversight, which resulted in a breakdown in communication and led to your losing the contract.

2. The company cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused as a result of bad weather.

3. Unfortunately, our client has no obligation to offer any compensation according to the terms of the contract.

Unit 8 – Reports

(a – assessment reports)Ex. 2 / 69

Read the model below and insert the following words and phrases in the appropriate spaces. Then list the positive and negative aspects of the sports centre in the table at the bottom of the page. also, especially, furthermore, however, in addition, on the other hand, particularly, to sum up, therefore.

1. Therefore2. However3. Particularly4. In addition

5. On the other hand6. Furthermore7. Also8. To sum up9. Especially

Good Bad- Easily accessible- Ample free parking- Olympic sized swimming pool- Large spectator area and ample

lacker space- Showers- Large, well-equipped gym- Acceptable price

- Limited direct services- No cafeteria- No restaurants within walking

distance

Ex. 3 / 70Look at the sentences below and identify which present positive aspects and which

negative ones. Then, match each positive point with the corresponding negative one, and join them into one sentence using linking words expressing contrasts.

1. a) positive – b) negativeAlthought this car is cheaper than others of the same size and performance, service and spare parts are expensive, and its fuel economy is poor.

2. c) positive – e) negativeIt is by far the best sports centre in the area in spite of the fact that is only open to the public in the evenings.

3. g) positive – d) negativeThe waiters at this restaurant are very pleasant and extremely polite. On the other hand service is slow and the menu is not very imaginative.

4. h) positive – f) negativeCommercial TV channels usually choose popular entertaining ahows, but commercial breaks can cause people to switch channels.

Ex. 5 / 70Read the model below, and fill in the appropriate sub-headings (Purpose,

Recommendation, Leadership, Qualities, Personal Qualities, Achievements). Then list the good and bad points mentioned.

1. Purpose

2. Qualities3. Leadership4. Achievements5. Recommendation

Good Bad- Enthusiastic- Pleasant- Considerate- Punctual- Reliable- Positive attitude- Wonderful rapport with children- Good leadership qualities- Assertiveness- Organizational skills - Innovative

- Tendency towards- timidity

(b - informative reports)Ex 2 / 71

Read the task instructions and the model below, and identify the topic of each paragraph then fill in the following sub-headings in the appropriate spaces.

1. Purpose2. Performing Artists/Groups3. Venue, Facilities and equipment4. Catering and Ticket Sales5. Projected Costs6. Conclusion

Ex. 3 / 73A property developer is building a retirement complex. There is some extra space, so

they have surveyed prospective residents as to which facility they would like included. Look at the results of the survey, then fill in the sentences below with the vocabulary provided. number, majority, per cent, percentage, one in four

1. They majority of those questioned wanted a swimming pool built.2. A very small percentage of the people surveyed were interested in having an arts and

creftscentre.3. A reasonably small number of those who responded wanted a bowling green ar library.

4. Twelve per cent of the people who responded to the survey wished to have a gym included in the facilities.

5. Nearly one in four of those questioned wanted a bowling green installed.

Religious terms

Excomunicare- Excommunication is the act of discipline where the Church breaks fellowship with a member who has refused to repent of sins. Matt. 18:15-18 is generally used as the model of procedures leading up to excommunication. Those excommunicated are not to partake in the Lord’s supper.In the Bible, serious offenders of God’s law, who were supposed to be Christian, were "delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh," (1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20). However, upon repentance, the person is welcomed back into fellowship within the body of Christ.

Apocalipsa – (Apocalypse)The word apocalypse comes from the Greek word for "revelation," or "unveiling." It is synonymous with Armageddon and refers to those future things dealing with the return of Christ and the great battle of Armageddon.

Logos - Cuvântul grecesc pentru "cuvânt". Menţionat doarî nscrierile lui Ioan. Ioan1:1 spune: "La început era Cuvântul [logos], şi Cuvântul [logos] era cu Dumnezeu şi Cuvântul [logos] era Dumnezeu." Logosul este uneori folosit cu referire la a doua persoană a Sfintei Treimi ca Fiul în formă de pre-întrupat. Isus este cuvântul [logos] făcut trup(Ioan 1:1,14)

Letter of complaint

Dear Sir/ Madam

I am sending you this letter in order to announce you that for several weeks I have been bothered by a subscriber of your company who sends me messages at late hours. If my opinion means something I think that the number of this subscriber should be blocked so further incidents will not occur.

The main issue is the late hour that I am receiving these messages. I have tried several times to contact this person through messages and calls but the subscriber does not answer. This thing leads me to the idea that these messages are being send with ill will and with the purpose to disturb me. Most of the times the messages do not have any content, but when they do it is a gross one or a difficult one to understand.

It is possible for you to take into consideration the idea of giving a warning to this person, but I do not think that this would change the situation. A persons who sends messages at 3 AM and who does not answer in order to offer explanations dosen’t deserve attenuating circumstances because he has proved himself mean and ill intended. This case is not the only one, I know people who have been in my situation but who haven’t been bothered for such a long time. A direct attitude form your part would lead to stoping these incidents.

I hope you will take into account my opinion and you will act in order to stop these disturbing events.

Yours sincerely,

Andrei Manolache

Semnele Sfarsitului lumii

Pr. Serafim Rose

O expresie care m-a izbit si care ni se pare foarte simpatica. Spune parintele Serafim Rose: „noi traim intr-un paradis al nebunilor”. Un paradis al nebunilor, de ce? Pentru ca – este foarte evenghelica expresia- pentru ca nu ne deosebim prea mult de nebunul din evanghelie caruia i se spune: „Nebune, in noaptea aceasta voi cere de la tine sufletul tau si cele ce-ai agonisit ale cui vor fi?” ni se propune si avem, deci, aceasta nebunie. In Psalmi se spune: „Zis-a cel nebun in inima lui: Nu exista Dumnezeu”. In pilda celor zece fecioare, la fel, cinci dintre ele erau nebune.

E foarte dura aceasta expresie, dar traim intr-un paradis al nebunilor. Pentru ca, daca cineva ne-ar propune sa ne despuiem de ceea ce avem, adica de titluri, de un statut oarecare, social, de avere, nu stiu ce-am putea sa fim. Nu stiu ce suntem. Sa cugetam la aceasta optiune pe care o au cei care se convertesc, cum este cazul Parintelui Rafail sau al Parintelui Serafim Rose, sa cugetam la aceasta retragere intr-o pustie care nicidecum nu pustieste, ci este o pustie care aduna acel nisip al timpului care pustieste intr-o clepsidra care curge spre vesnicie. (pag. 139)

Signs of theEnd of the World

An expression that amazed me and that seems very nice. Father(priest) Serafim Rose says at one moment; ,,We live in a Heaven of crazies". A Eden of crazies, why? Because - the expression is very evangelist- because we aren't very different from de insane man in the Gospel, to whom it is said: ,,Mad man, tonight I will ask for your soul and what you have gathered will remain to whom? “. It is proposed and we have this insanity. In Psalms we are told: ,,Said the crazy in his heart : ,,It isn't GOD". In the story of the ten virgins, likewise, five were crazy.

This expression is very harsh, but we live in a paradise of insane people. Because, if someone would propose us to leave all that we have, meaning every

title, every status, social, fortune, we would not know what to be. Let's think about this option that is given to those who convert like in the case of priest Rafail or priest Serafim Rose, let's think about this retreat into a void that doesn't empty, but a void that gathers that sand of times who emptys into a hourglass that flows to eternal life.

CONFESSING THE TRUSTH IN LOVE(Trinitas, iasi, 2001)

Joy in the midst of struggle,Confessing Christ in a Contradictory World

Ecumenism’s ultimate goal

Today, the main obstacles and threats to ecumenism in Europe in general are, on one hand, aggressive proselytism and exaggerated confessionalism and, on the other hand, theological liberalism and ethical relativism.

In the past, during the difficult times of the Communist regime in Eastern Europe, ecumenism was for us one of the rare ways of keeping in contact with Churches and Christians of Western countries. This was a sort of “ecumenism under the “Cross”.

Today, ecumenism finds itself in the space freedom. Therefore it needs a different and deeper motivation and a more spiritual recognition of its ultimate goal: reconciliation for mission and salvation. If, during Communist times, the main existential question was “How do we get freedom?”, today the main challenge is “How do we use freedom?”

Bucurie in mijlocul luptei, A crede in Dumnezeuintr-o lume contradictorie

Scopul suprem al ecumenismului

Astazi, principalele obstacole si amenintari fata de ecumenism in Europa sunt, pe de o parte, prozelitismulagresiv, confesionalismulexageratsipede alta parte, liberalismul teologic si etica relativista.

In trecut, in timpul regimului Comunist, in Europa de Est, ecumenismul a reprezentat pentru noi singura modalitate de a mentine contactul cu Bisericile si Crestinii tarilor Vestice. Acesta a fost un soi de ecumenism sub ,,cruce".

Astazi, ecumenismul se gaseste in spatial liberatatii. Asa ca are nevoie de o motivatie diferita si mult mai profunda si de o recunostere spirituala a celui mai important scop al sau: reconcilierea pentru indatorire si salvare. Daca in timpul vremurilor Comuniste, principal intrebare existentiala era: ,,Cum sa obtinem libertatea?”, astazi, principal provocare este :,,Cum folosimlibertatea?".

Humanities controversy-summary-

The Humanities controversy is an essay on the issue of what should be tought in the humanities course. The author of the essay, Robin Jensen, presents the opinion of two distinct group: the traditionals and the multiculturalists, while the this argue that the students should be taught the culture of Western Civilization, the former claims that on the century the students should be tought other cultures.

Furthermore the traditionalist suggest that university, no longer teach the traditional humanities curriculum which is essential to a culturally literate.

The multiculturalists, on the other hand think that universities should teach the culture that are reforming the cultural identity of the western civilisation and that are challenging it’s basic assumption.

Althrough each side presents valid arguments to support it’s position, they both fail to what is really at stake in this are controversy: the question of how students learn.

There are also suggested two possible ways of solving the controversy, but both of them have their short commings. The first solution is to teach separate version of curriculum, while the second is to combine the two curriculums. Either way, the problem of the student remains unsolved.

Both groups see the students as a passive and powerless child who needs to be given lots of information. According to Jensen, justice of trying to cover centuries of cultural achievement, teachers should invite students to be active, to engage in a conversation and this could solve the problem of the student.