Ysern´sParrot

April, 2017

STOP THE POLLUTION IN THE AIR

Air pollution is a serious problem in our ecosystem, as it can lead to various diseases such as allergies, dermatitis or cancer. This pollution not only causes diseases and discomfort, but also causes a serious element that is the climate change. This contamination is caused by several reasons. One of the most important is the waste of gases and chemical products of industries from big cities. Another reason is the abusive use of cars or private vehicles. This movement of vehicles causes a great air pollution, and not only pollution in the air but also causes a noise pollution in the big cities, which causes a continuous discomfort in the population. To stop this pollution, we all must join in the effort, because if we all show a little interest we can make our world a better place. ALL FOR OUR PLANET! (Daniele Ricciardi Lara - 4º B)

BIG BEN (Rubén Gallego Gil- 2º A Bach.)

Known as Big Ben, the famous Houses of Parliament clock has become one of

London's most famous images, as well as one of the city's main symbols.

The tower, built in 1858 next to the new Palace of Westminster, is a peculiar

building of 106 meters high built in a Gothic style that houses four huge clocks on

their faces.

The truth about Big Ben

Although generally speaking of Big Ben we refer to the Clock Tower of the London

Parliament building, this denomination is not at all accurate, since Big Ben really is

a huge 14-ton bell that is inside tower.

A watch with English punctuality

The clock of the Tower of the Big Ben, composed by a clock of 7 meters of

diameter in each one of its faces, was put in march in May of 1859. Nowadays it

has become a symbol of the nation and its bells are Broadcast daily by the BBC

radio network.

It is one of the most reliable watches out there, as it is able to withstand the

inclement weather such as snow and wind, and even endured the German bombing

during World War II, keeping its punctuality intact. Although there are few

occasions in which Big Ben has suffered incidences in its punctuality, English

citizens there is no forget that New Year's Eve of 1962 in which entered with 10

minutes of delay in the new year due to some technical failures produced in the

Big Ben. (

You have to be careful with internet!

On the Internet we must use logic and common sense, as we would in real life. The consequences of bad use of the network go beyond the virtual plane, and can generate serious consequences

Not everybody is who they say they are on the Internet. Sometimes they use techniques, social engineering, among others, to obtain our most precious treasure, our privacy and personal data.

In our transactions and purchases by the network we will be cautious to make them from safe sites, avoiding ads cheating. As for the transactions with our bank we will always do it from a secure connection (https), distrusting any communication that reaches us by email (Spam and Phishing).

We will pay attention to the downloads we make, always making them from the official websites of the products we need, we will avoid being infected with malware camouflaged in fake antivirus

For all the services that need it, we will use robust passwords. Easy to remember for us but impossible to deduct for the cybercriminal. Avoid using the same passwords for all our accounts, and renew them from time to time. (Cecilia Guerra- 1º A- Bach.)

HOW DO YOU LEARN ENGLISH? Are you tired of your English routine? Do you think it is like a very difficult puzzle? If your answer is "yes", why don`t you try these skills? At first, you can break some old patterns, doing hobbies that interest you. Also, you can get the lyrics of your favorite English song and you can translate it. This is so soothing and helps you to improve your English. Finally, you can watch films or series that you had seen before. So if you want to get a good level of English you only need willpower, come on!!

(Raquel Manzanero - 1º A-Bach)

TORRIJAS

This “sweet” is traditionally eaten during Lent,

the 40-days before Easter. It is believed that

"torrijas" originated in Andalucian convents

during the XV century as a way to use up stale

bread. Today it is a popular breakfast food all

over Spain. The British call it bread pudding,

while Americans would probably call it

"French Toast." Although torrijas are popular

for breakfast, they may be eaten anytime. There

are many variations . The Spanish generally use a French-style baguette, as in the photo,

but white bread can be used, too.

MarcoPolo

(Venice, present-day Italy, 1254-id., 1324) Venetian explorer and

merchant. His father (Nicholas Polo) and his uncle, members of an

illustrious family of merchants from the prosperous Venetian

Republic, sought to trade with the Tartar people of the East. Both

brothers undertook an expedition to the East in 1255. When there

was news of the arrival of the merchants to the territory, the Mongol

emperor KubilaiKan sent them to call, since the presence of some

Latins was an extraordinary fact. For fourteen years they remained

among the Mongols. On the way back, the Polos acted as the

emperor's ambassadors and visited the Pope on his behalf to convey

to him KubilaiKan's desire that he send sages and priests to visit his

empire. In 1271 and with the blessing of Gregory X, the Polos,

including Marco, who was then seventeen years old, began their

second voyage through eastern lands. They crossed Israel, Armenia,

arrived in the regions of present Georgia and then to the Persian

Gulf. From there they traced north, crossed Persia, and then entered

the mountains of Central Asia, following the route of the silk road.

The crossing of the Pamir led them to the dominions of the Great

Khan. After surpassing the deserts that surround Lob Nor they

arrived at Kancheu, the first really Chinese city, where they

established contact with a civilization practicing a religion almost

unknown for the West, Buddhism. They resumed their journey,

accompanied by an escort sent by the Great Khan to drive them to

the northeast of Beijing, where the emperor had his summer

residence. Soon the sovereign took Marco Polo under his personal

protection, showed absolute confidence, and began to assign all

kinds of missions: for example, he entered the diplomatic corps of

the court and became governor for three years from the city of

Yangzhou. His father and his uncle were engaged in business, while

acting as military advisers to KubilaiKan.

(Jorge Alberto Pérez - 2º A-Bach).

Book review

Draculais the most famous novel by the Irish writer Bram Stoker and it

was written in 1897 in the Romantic Age. Dracula is a gothic novel, set in

the darkness and mystery of the Victorian Age, the novel takes place between

the lost places of Transilvania and the city of London. The narration is done

through objetive letters between the main characters. It is also one of the

classic terror tales and marks the first appearance of Dracula in literature.

The plot revolves around Jonathan, a simple-minded lawyer who travels to

Transilvania to meet Dracula. On his way, the people from nearby villages

tell him that Dracula is a demonic man, but Jonathan doesn´t care and

goes to visit him. The Count takes Jonathan as a prisoner, Dracula wants to

go toLondon to get together with Jonathan´s fiancé so the Count travels to

London by boat. Dracula has to travel buried in a coffin full of dirt from

Transilvania because he is a vampire and it is the only way he can leave the

land where he had died.

One of the things more remarkable in this novel is its dark and mysterious

aesthetic which lends to a sinister atmosphere. Another remarkable thing is

the character of the Count because he is an evil, rutheless vampire, and that

is unusual in a main character.

I believe it to be the most outstanding vampire novel written to date, with

a spectacular setting in the Victorian Age.

(María García Fernández- 2ºA- Bach)

University in the UK

United Kingdom has one of the most prestigious educational systems in the world. So much so, that four of its

universities are ranked in the top 15 of the world, including University College London, Imperial College London,

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. This might be shocking at first, and most of Spaniard’s

students see them as a far-fetched fantasy, although studying there may not be that hard.

First of all, you must know what to do in order to apply to any institution in this country, and the source needed

is called UCAS. Once you register and introduce your personal information here, you will have to select what

degree you want to study and where to study it. This is probably the hardest choice since each university offers

something different and there is a huge variety of choices, as well as degree ‘supplements’ (i.e. one year

working and studying on a professional place, or an integrated master).

Moreover, you will have to investigate whether or not your degree choice requires a specific exam (LNAT for

Law or UKCATL/BMAT for Medicine), that you will have to do prior to be considered. By the way, be quite sure on

your choices, because you can only apply to five universities!

On the other hand, not all the colleges require the same ratings so do not desperate if do not achieve the entry

requirements of one university, because you will fit in on another’s.

Other important topics that you must look at before applying are deadlines (15th October for the most demanding

colleges/degrees and 15th January for the rest), tuitions and fees (9.250 pounds might be scary, but with loans

and scholarships it can be affordable), and the level of English needed (between B2 and C1 usually).

One of the last things of your application is your personal statement (written by your own), and your reference

letter (written by a tutor). These short letters will open you the doors of any of these gigantic universities as

long as you get to highlight.

The last thing for me to do is to wish you the best of luck on your application, and keep in mind that you will not

achieve it if you do not try it.

(Sergio Álvarez Lara - 2º A-Bach.)

(Oxford) (London)

Find five words related to the weather

B S H Y A O P M V D

L I G H T N I N G G

I A V E O D M W P A

Z A E Y F L O O D A

Z C A S O B V J R E

A T N M N P A O E G

R U C I O Z T E D N

D I A A P K O D A C

N R N I Y U I G H M

I S A N S T E U S O

(Sara and María Ortiz Planchuelo – 1º A-Bach)