IB English Language B

Reading2/9/2014

Optional – Science and Technology

Review: Quick Quiz - 2 minutes!

1. What is renewable energy?

2. What is non-renewable energy?

3. Which is better? Why?

4. What do you think is going to happen to the types of energy we use in the future? Why?

Page 329: Renewable Energy

Answer the questions:

a. Everyoneb. Great impact on everyone / people feel it, even if they don’t drive.c. To inform and to debate the advantages of biofuelsd. The need to lessen the impact of rising fuel costs and the need to

replace fossil fuels, which are depleting fast.e. There is little or no need to modify your car’s engine. Also better

for the environment as less emissions are produced and are made from renewable supplies.

f. Should biofuels be used for fuel or reserved for use as food. g. Hopefully these problems can be resolved…

Page 329: Renewable Energy

Choose a word or phrase that could meaningfully replace the word from the text:

a. Reliableb. Running outc. Well-suited for themd. Agente. Mixedf. Adjustmentsg. Dischargeh. Usuali. boost

Back to the board

Writing: Describing a processprocess writing sample answer• The diagram presents the manufacture of five different types of tea. It is

immediately apparent that although all the teas are produced from the same leaf, the differences in the manufacturing process result in five different types of tea.

• The first three stages of manufacture are the same for all of the five teas. The leaves are grown, they are then plucked, and following this withering of the leaves occures. The final stage is also the same, which sees all the leaves dried in an oven. However, in the stages in between this, differing methods of production are employed.

• To begin, white tea is unique as it involves no other processing. In contrast, green, oolong and large leaf black tea are all rolled as part of the process. However, while green tea is steamed before being rolled but is not fermented, the other two teas are first rolled and then both fermented (oolong only slightly but large leaf black completely). Finally, small leaf black tea is neither steamed nor rolled, but is crushed before being fully fermented.

Describing a process

It is easy to follow as it discusses each tea in turn, but it also groups similar processes together and identifies the differences. For example:

Similarities:The first three stages of manufacture are the same for all of the five teas.…green, oolong and large leaf black tea are all rolled as part of the process.

Differences:…white tea is unique as it involves no other processing.However, while green tea is steamed before being rolled but is not fermented, the other two teas are first rolled and then both fermented.

Describing a process• The appropriate voice is also used in the description, which is the

passive.

• When we write about a process, we are interested in the actions, NOT who is doing them. In this case we use the passive voice. Here are some examples of the passive voice from this writing sample process:

• ...the teas are produced from the same leaf

• The leaves are grown, they are then plucked

• ...differing methods of production are employed

Describing a processIt may not always be possible, but if you can you should also try to use synonyms:

• For example, ‘completely’ fermented is used instead of ‘fully’.

• Make sure you also make use of a mix of ‘time’ transitions to guide the reader through the description:

• …they are then plucked, and following this withering of the leaves occurs.

• …the other two teas are first rolled and then both fermented

• …white tea is unique as it involves no other processing.

• …while green tea is steamed before being rolled but is not fermented,

Describing a processThe candidate also demonstrates the ability to accurately use a mix of complex structures:

Noun Clauses: • It is immediately apparent that although all the teas are produced from the

same leaf...

Relative Clauses:• The final stage is also the same, which sees all the leaves dried in an oven.

Adverbial Clauses:• …although all the teas are produced from the same leaf

• …white tea is unique as it involves no other processing.

• …while green tea is steamed before being rolled but is not fermented,

Page 330: Individual Oral

Choose one of the photographs and prepare to talk about it. Before you start answer the questions first:

1. Can you identify the English B option and it’s aspect / subtopic?

2. What vocabulary do you need to describe the pictures?

3. What can you say about the caption that goes with the picture?

Page 330: Individual Oral

Homework

• Write at least 150 words on the diagram on Page 329 Exercise 4.