Author Archives: Set Education

Các nếp nhăn xuất hiện ngày càng nhiều... Đừng trách thời gian "vô tình" mà hãy nhìn lại chính những thói quen không tốt của bạn tạo cơ hội cho tuổi già đến nhanh hơn.

1. Cả ngày nhăn mặt nhăn mày, cáu kỉnh

Mỗi ngày trôi qua bạn giữ cho mình bộ mặt” mướp đắng” cau có, khó chịu là nhân tố chính khiến cho tế bào da thiếu dinh dưỡng, da mặt khô ráp, từ đó hình thành nếp nhăn bao phủ toàn khuôn mặt vốn dĩ tươi trẻ, mịn màng của bạn.

Luôn nhớ rằng: “Một nụ cười bằng mười thang thuốc bổ”, tinh thần vui vẻ, ổn định có tác dụng quan trọng đối với sự cân bằng nội tiết trong cơ thể.

Do đó, muốn sở hữu một gương mặt tươi trẻ lâu dài hãy học cách khoan dung và giữ thái độ cởi mở hơn với những người quanh bạn.

2. Thức khuya

Thức khuya là kẻ  thù số một của làn da, thiếu ngủ sẽ  gây rối loạn các hoạt động điều tiết của tế bào da, ảnh hưởng xấu đến sức sống của các tế bào biểu bì ở da.ây
Do đó, mỗi ngày nên ngủ đủ, 8 tiếng/ngày, nếu vì lý do công việc hay bất kỳ lý do nào khác khiến bạn không được ngủ đủ giấc hãy tận dụng ngủ ở mọi lúc mọi nơi có thể.

Chất lượng giấc ngủ của bạn sẽ luôn được làn da trên khuôn mặt (đặc biệt là vùng da quanh mắt) phản ánh chân thực nhất. Một giấc ngủ ngon có thể xóa đi sự mệt mỏi cũng như cung cấp đủ dinh dưỡng cho tế bào da hoạt động cân bằng, làm chậm quá trình lão hóa da.

3. Thường xuyên đi nắng

Do tính chất công việc nên bạn thường xuyên phải ra ngoài dưới cái nắng chói chang của mùa hè, dưới sự ảnh hưởng của các tia cực tím, tia tử ngoại có hại, da bạn sẽ  đen hơn, khô ráp và thô hơn. Thậm chí có thể dẫn tới bệnh ung thư da.

Ánh nắng gay gắt đó cũng là một trong những kẻ thù nguy hiểm gây lão hóa da nhanh chóng. Bởi khi ánh nắng trực tiếp chiếu vào cơ thể, da sẽ là nơi nhận kích thích đầu tiên, bề mặt làn da cũng như các tế bào lớp trong biểu bì da sẽ bị tổn thương làm cho các sợi đàn hồi ở da hoạt động yếu, da sẽ lỏng lẻo, không săn chắc, không mịn màng và cũng có nghĩa nếp nhăn xuất hiện.

Vì vậy, hãy tạo cho mình thói quen sử dụng các loại kem chống nắng có chất lượng tốt để bảo vệ làn da.

4. Hút thuốc, uống rượu

Nicotin trong thuốc lá làm giãn huyết quản trong da, do đó làn da những người hút thuốc sẽ xuất hiện nếp nhăn nhiều hơn gấp 10 lần làn da những người không hút thuốc.

Đó là lý do tại sao những người hút thuốc lại trông có vẻ già hơn những người không hút thuốc cùng trang lứa đến 10 tuổi.

Rượu làm giảm lượng dầu bôi trơn da, làm da thiếu nước, khô ráp, gián tiếp ảnh hưởng đến chức năng hoạt động thường nhật của da (thoát mồ hôi, tiết chất nhờn nuôi dưỡng da).

5. Biểu hiện thái quá

Khuôn mặt là một” kênh” giao tiếp, truyền đạt cho đối phương những cảm xúc chân thật nhưng nếu luôn biểu hiện thái quá những động tác mạnh như: nhăn mày, nheo mắt, cười ngặt nghẽo, bĩu môi, mếu máo… sẽ càng tạo cơ hội cho nếp nhăn phát triển lan rộng và rõ nét hơn.

Do vậy, tốt nhất hãy giữ tư thái và tinh thần ổn định, tránh những biểu hiện thái quá.

6. Không thích uống nước

Nước là nguồn sống quý giá do thiên nhiên ban tặng. Thiếu nước coi như sự sống không tồn tại. Do đó, kịp thời bổ sung nước cho cơ thể mới là phương pháp bảo vệ da hữu hiệu, là chìa khóa để sở hữu một làn da khỏe đẹp.

Nếu thiếu nước, lượng chất nhờn trong da sẽ bài tiết không đủ để nuôi dưỡng và bảo vệ da, da sẽ dễ dàng bị mất nước và trở lên khô ráp, khó chịu.

Mỗi ngày nên uống từ  6 – 8 ly nước lớn, đủ để cung cấp nước cho toàn cơ thể hoạt động cũng như sự hoạt động tích cực của làn da. Tránh uống các chất kích thích như: rượu, cà phê…

7. Lười vận động

Chế độ tập luyện hợp lý có thể đẩy nhanh hoạt động tuần hoàn máu, cơ bắp hoạt động co giãn nhịp nhàng trơn tru từ đó tăng cường độ mịn màng cho da, đồng thời tạo cơ hội tốt cho quá trình tiết mồ hôi ở da làm da khỏe mạnh, ngăn ngừa hiệu quả hiện tượng lão hóa da.

(trích từ nguồn sưu tầm - Theo TPO)

Phát hiện từ được nhấn mạnh và đoán trước được điều mà người ta sẽ nói là một kỹ năng quan trọng trong bài thi Nghe của kỳ thi IELTS.

{rokaccess guest} Đăng ký thành viên để xem nội dung chi tiết {/rokaccess} {rokaccess !guest}

1) Clip 1: Listening for Signpost Words

2) Clip 2: Vocabulary Exercise

3) Printable Documents

a) Notes for Study

IELTS Tip

Listen out for signpost words in the listening tasks.

They can help you follow the conversations, discussions and lectures more easily, and help you understand and predict what the speaker is going to say next.

Signpost words also serve as clues which are helpful in identifying answers.

 

LISTENING FOR SIGNPOST WORDS

In conversations, talks, discussions or lectures (the discourse forms used in the four sections of the IELTS listening test), speakers use words which help listeners understand the message being conveyed.

These words are called linking signals or signpost words. They are used to link or connect one idea with another, signal what is happening in a discourse, or show the

direction in which a conversation, talk, discussion or lecture is heading.

Recognising signpost words and using them to anticipate what a speaker will be doing next can help you follow the conversations and talks in the four listening passages more readily and identify answers more successfully. Practise using these signpost words in your conversations and discussions. Be careful though, because some signpost words are more appropriate for informal situations.

 

Functions and signpost words

Signpost words have a range of functions. The most common functions and the most frequently used signpost words are examined below.

Beginning
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• open a talk, lecture • take up a new topic • re-open an interrupted conversation • invite someone into a conversation	OK, okay, now, right, well
Example: lecture Now, are you all here? I suppose we should begin by looking at how to create a business plan.

 

Closing
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• concluding a lecture, talk • temporarily closing a topic • finishing a topic or conversation • showing you want to end a conversation	so, OK, okay, right, anyway great, good, fine, lovely (more informal – conversations)
Example: conversation Jane: And we can get some flowers to take to the hospital. Bob: Yeah. Jane: Some roses. Bob: She loves roses. Jane: Fine. Bob: Right. I’ll see you tonight. Jane: Okay. Lovely.

 

Gaining time (fillers)
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• indicating the speaker is thinking • initiating a conversation	you know, well, let me see, I mean, um, mmm, eh
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture Well, I think planes are the safest form of transportation and, you know, it’s the quickest way to get from A to B.

 

Summarising and generalising
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• leading into a summary of points • generalising on what was previously said	in conclusion, to conclude, to summarise, to sum up, overall (more formal choices) to sum up briefly, in a word, in all, in brief, altogether, in short, more generally, thus, then, in a nut shell
Example: discussion, lecture Was the experiment successful? In a word, no.

 

Reformulating ideas
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• explaining ideas more clearly • modifying ideas • expressing things more clearly • refining something that was said	in other words, I mean, or rather, so to speak, in a manner of speaking, strictly speaking, well, that is to say (that’s to say) to put it simply, to put it bluntly/to put it mildly (more informal)
Example: more formal expression Strictly speaking, a tomato is not a vegetable but a fruit.

 

Explaining, giving examples
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• giving an example • expanding on a meaning	for example, for instance, in other words, in particular, that is to say (that’s to say), that is say (informal)
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture There are many physical activities they can do after school. For example, they can play soccer, swim, ride their bikes, play tennis and even mow the lawn.

 

Resuming
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• continuing after an interruption • restating a diverted topic	so, anyway, as I was saying, where was I?, what was I saying?, where were we? oh yes
Example: discussion A: More and more young people are being encouraged to take out private health insurance. The cost of providing free medical care for all is just too great for governments. B: Insurance these days is really expensive. I had to renew my insurance on an old car and it was almost double what I paid last year. House insurance wasn’t any cheaper. A: As I was saying, young people and professionals in particular earning a good salary should be responsible for their own health cover.

 

---

Changing the subject
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• introducing a digression • changing the topic • diverting the subject	incidentally, by the way, come to think of it, talking of …, speaking of …, that reminds me, oh
Example: conversation Speaking of movies, did you see that new film about vampires?

 

Sequencing
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• indicating the order in which things occur • signalling how one thing follows another • organising	A B C (using letters of the alphabet), and, and then, for a start, next, going back to, in general, afterwards, on top of that, in the first place, lastly (more commonly used in spoken language) first (firstly), first of all, second (secondly), finally, lastly
Example: discussion What we really need to discuss is A, the timing of junk food advertisements on TV and B, what we’re going to do about it.

 

Adding something
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• adding to something that has been said previously	also, again, besides, what is more (what’s more), then, too, as well (as), further, on top of this/that, likewise (more commonly used in spoken language) in addition, additionally, further, furthermore, moreover, equally (more formal choices)
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture Winning the trip to Europe was a dream come true but, on top of that we got two thousand dollars cash to spend.

 

Contrasting
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• showing a difference between two or more people or things • opposing	instead, conversely, then, on the contrary, but, on the one hand … on the other hand, alternatively, however, yet, although, though, unlike
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture Travelling the world is always exciting but nothing can beat the joy of coming home.

 

Concession
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• being prepared to accept part of an argument which has been stated earlier • surprising or unexpected statement in light of what has been said earlier	while, (al)though, however, nonetheless, nevertheless, notwithstanding, still, yet, in any case, at any rate, in spite of, despite that, at the same time, even if
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture There’s little chance Paul will be selected for the Olympic team. Nevertheless, we’ve got to be hopeful.

 

Cause, reason, result, consequences
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• expressing causes, effects, results, consequences	accordingly, as a consequence, as a result, consequently, in light of this/that, therefore, hence, because, because of, due to, on account of, owing to
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture Classes were cancelled because of the snowstorms.

 

Timing
Function	Signpost words and phrases
• linking of events in time	afterwards, meantime, in the mean time, meanwhile, eventually, subsequently, then, after that, then
Example: conversation, talk, discussion, lecture Your car can’t be repaired until Monday but, in the meantime, we’ll give you a courtesy vehicle.

 

---

b) Learning Activities

Practise and consolidate your learning about signpost words by completing our activities.

Remember to refer to the Study Notes for this episode if you need help.

The answers for all activities are on page 3.

ACTIVITY 1

What information is being conveyed in each sentence based on the signpost words used? Choose the appropriate function from the choices in the box below. You may use any function more than once.

A         resuming                   D         gaining time B         summarising           E         intensifying C         timing                       F          reformulating ideas

  

1. The report had too many errors. His manager was, to put it mildly, annoyed.

2. The doctor can see you tomorrow. Meanwhile, take some aspirin and rest in bed.

3. In a nut shell, the construction of the day care centre is ready to go.

4. As I was saying, there just isn’t enough support for the office restructure.

5. There are high levels of pollution in the city. The government, you know, is going to restrict the number of cars entering city centres.

6. As a matter of fact, there are no restrictions on the goods.

7. The shopping complex eventually opened for business two years after the fire.

8. Bungy jumping was quite an experience, or rather a terrifying experience.

9. In short, I’m glad I went to my high school reunion.

10. Let me see, autumn is probably the best time of year because the weather is very pleasant.

 

ACTIVITY 2

Choose the best ending based on the signpost word used in each sentence.

1. We were hoping the weather would improve so

a. it wouldn’t be cold.

b. we could go on our picnic.

2. There are some good movies that are worth seeing. Alternatively,

a. you could go to the cinema in the city.

b. you could take in some of the night life.

3. Despite being good at maths,

a. Hilary couldn’t get a teaching position.

b. Hilary was offered a teaching position.

4. It’s really convenient to take the overnight train. As a matter of fact,

a. we wouldn’t advise doing that.

b. that’s what we did.

5. There are many tasty dishes, in particular

a. the roast duck with steamed vegetables.

b. the ones served in the Thai restaurant.

6. The electrical storm caused a black out. In the meantime,

a. we lit a candle and used a battery-operated radio.

b. there were no lights or radio transmission available.

7. They left the party early on account of

a. the impending storm.

b. the time.

8. I’m glad I’m studying accounting because

a. my father chose the subject.

b. I like working with numbers.

9. I really did well in the sciences and languages but

a. failed history and geography.

b. passed history and English.

10. It’s best to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables because

a. your risk of heart disease can improve.

b. your risk of heart disease can decrease.

ANSWERS ACTIVITY 1

1. F

2. C

3. B

4. A

5. D

6. E

7. C

8. F

9. B

10. D

 

ANSWERS ACTIVITY 2

1. b

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. a

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

 

---

c) Transcript

Hello, and welcome to Study English, IELTS Preparation. I'm Margot Politis.

In this episode we'll look at signpost words. These are words and phrases that help the listener follow what someone is saying, and work out what they are about to say.

Listen to this woman talking about Chinese New year in Melbourne:

Well, she's visiting from Vietnam, and we're just here to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I guess it's more quieter here. I mean, it's pretty noisy today, but over in Vietnam, it'd be, like, much bigger, yep. There'd be a lot more people around as well.

When she says 'I mean', the listener knows she is about to explain more about her statement. Listen again:

Well, she's visiting from Vietnam, and we're just here to celebrate the Chinese New Year. I guess it's more quieter here. I mean, it's pretty noisy today, but over in Vietnam, it'd be, like, much bigger, yep.

Recognising signpost words and anticipating what the speaker will say are important skills for the IELTS Listening Test.

In the test a speaker may use a technical term you don't know, but if you are listening carefully you might also hear a definition of it.

In the next clip the speaker is talking about the problem of running out of fuel.

Listen for the technical term and its definition:

This is a worldwide problem – increasing traffic – not only because it's clogging our roads but because of the fuels it uses. And whether vehicles use petrol or diesel or liquefied petroleum gas, it all comes from under the ground and we're running out of it, which is why researchers are now turning to biofuels – fuels that can be grown instead of mined.

There are a number of signpost words here. When the speaker says 'not only because' and 'but because' the listener knows he is about to give two reasons why increasing traffic is a problem. Listen again:

This is a worldwide problem – increasing traffic – not only because it's clogging our roads but because of the fuels it uses.

He also uses the words 'whether' and 'or'. This tells the listener he is about to mention two alternative scenarios:

And whether vehicles use petrol or diesel or liquefied petroleum gas, it all comes from under the ground and we're running out of it.

Finally, he uses the word 'instead'. That shows he is going to give an alternative to the first kind of fuel mentioned. Listen:

… which is why researchers are now turning to biofuels – fuels that can be grown instead of mined.

Biofuels are 'fuels that can be grown instead of mined'. So now as you follow the talk you would be listening for something that is grown:

They're researching how to extract biofuel oils not from canola and other seed crops, but from tiny plants called microalgae.

He says 'not from seed crops but from tiny plants called microalgae'.

So microalgae are tiny plants. 'Called' is the signpost word – when you hear it, you will get a name or term you might not be familiar with.

And he uses the word 'but' to introduce the contrast between seed crops and tiny plants. Listen again:

They're researching how to extract biofuel oils not from canola and other seed crops, but from tiny plants called microalgae.

Another common signpost phrase that signals an unusual name is 'referred to as', used here by someone talking about hemp:

Inside the stem is the pith, which is referred to as the hurd fibre. And this is the white part there.

What's the signpost phrase in the next clip?

Grampians national park is commonly known as Gariwerd as well which is the Indigenous term used.

'Known as' – Grampians national Park is known as Gariwerd as well. It's another name for it.

Sometimes a speaker may use an abbreviation as in the next clip about a motorcycle engine. Notice that he signposts this by saying 'what's called a':

We've taken one of these engines and we've put it in an environment where it's very dynamic. You've got centrifugal acceleration, you've got the bike leaning, so we had to make some modifications. What we chose was what's called a CVT, a continuously varying transmission, the sort of transmission that you see on many scooters.

He uses the abbreviation CVT and follows with the full form of the word 'a continuously varying transmission'. He also provides an explanation of CVT – the sort of transmission that you see on many scooters:

What we chose was what's called a CVT, a continuously varying transmission, the sort of transmission that you see on many scooters.

Recognising these signposts alerts you to the use of technical terms or abbreviations in a talk or tells you that the speaker will follow with a definition or explanation.

---

The next clip is of a man talking about a grand house. What words indicate a cause of something?

Martindale hall was built in 1879. It was built for a 21 year old sheep farmer, a young man called Edmund Bowman Junior who had a rather inflated impression of his importance in the world and decided he wanted to live a lifestyle with servants and a grand house. He unfortunately lost the place after a decade, about 11 years due to a drought.

'Due to a drought'. A drought is a severe lack of rain, which meant that he couldn't make any money. 'Due to' means 'because of' or 'as a result of'. Like these phrases, it signals an explanation or a cause.

What word in the next clip tells the listener the speaker is about to talk about a result or outcome?

We treat it as our home and the guests treat it as their home therefore it's just like a house that you live in. It responds and stays happy.

Therefore. The guests treat it as their home therefore it's just like a house you live in. It's not like a museum.

'Therefore' is an important word to listen for in more formal contexts such as lectures. It tells you that the statement you are about to hear is a result, or caused by, the first statement.

The less formal word 'so' can be used instead of therefore. Listen for it in this clip:

Diesel engines are more fuel efficient so you'll go much further on a tankful of diesel than you would on a tankful of petrol.

We could also say 'you'll go further on a tankful of diesel because diesel engines are more efficient.' Notice the different order.

Some signpost words tell you that more is going to be added to what is first said.

You can say 'in addition':

In addition to our TV show, Study English has a website.

Or you can say 'as well as':

As well as a TV show, Study English has a website.

Listen for another phrase like these:

Not only is it a museum during the day but when we shut we then have house guests who come and use all the artefacts.

The house is a museum and a guesthouse.

Not only is it a museum, it is also a guesthouse.

It's important to know when a speaker is about to give an example. Often they'll say 'for example', but they can also say 'for instance', like this:

Being a private nature reserve we've got all sorts of critters that live here in the wide range of habitats that we have. So for instance come night time there's the possums, owls, bats.

Let's listen for one more signpost word, even though.

It's used in the next clip to talk about stick insects and needle bugs:

Even though they live in different places and eat different things, they look very similar because they both use the same trick to survive.

Even though. Even though they live in different places, they look the same.

This phrase is used to show that what follows is surprising, or unexpected.

For instance, you could say 'even though the weather was bad, we still enjoyed ourselves'.

That's all for now.

To find more information about signpost words, visit our Study English website.

The address is: australianetwork.com/studyenglish.

Good Luck with your studies.

 

(Nguồn UTS: Insearch and Australia Network)

{/rokaccess}