Transcript and Answers: Polish prisoners put paint to paper creating religious art

A steady hand and a lot of patience are required to paint a picture like this. But these artists aren't short of time; they're all inmates at the Bialystok prison in the east of Poland. And prisoners like Malgorzata -- sentenced to 24 years in jail -- have uncovered some hidden talents. 

"I never knew how to paint. It wasn't my cup of tea. And now, I'm starting to make progress, I can see it myself and I'm happy with how I'm doing." Malgorzata's sentence was cut by a third owing to good behaviour - but she still has another eight years to serve. The idea behind the programme is to help the prisoners before they re-enter society, developing confidence and exploring the spiritual history of the paintings. 

"At the start most inmates come to kill a bit of time, so that it passes more quickly, to try something more interesting. Some also do it to earn good behaviour, but at the end of the classes everyone wants to have their paintings blessed and keep them." 

In a predominantly Catholic country, the Bialystok region is the stronghold of the Polish Orthodox Church.

"It calms me down and brings me peace, I have a lighter heart and my faith is strengthened. I already pray to the picture of the Virgin Mary that I created." The prison currently only runs two workshops - but if more funding’s provided it's hoped other inmates will have the chance to put paint to paper. 

Answers:

1. b

2. b

3. a

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Phrasal Verbs with Answers: to dry

This week,'to dry' is the verb used to make our phrasal verbs.  Do you know what they mean?

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Common Mistakes 6

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Comprehension: Family Love Awaits Weary New Year Traveller

AFPTV follows one migrant worker as she travels 1,000 miles across China to spend the Lunar New Year holiday with her family. 

Watch the video below and answer the following questions. Are they True or False?

1. The Lunar New Year Holiday migration is the biggest in the world.

a. True

b. False

2. The Chinese New Year holiday is the only time Chen spends with her family every year.

a. True

b. False

3. Chen spends 40 days with her family before returning to Beijing.

a. True

b. False

For transcript and answers see below or go to: http://eflexlanguages.blogspot.fr/2013/02/transcript-and-answers-family-love.html

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Transcript and Answers: Family Love Awaits Weary New Year Traveller

Chen Guolan has almost 48-hours of stressful travel ahead of her, but this is the day she’s been looking forward to all year. The 50-year-old domestic worker is joining the world's largest annual migration ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. The journey will take her from China's capital Beijing to the quiet backwater she calls home, an epic 1,000-mile journey. 
"Right now my heart is so excited. I’m returning to my family's home. I’ve worked so hard all year and now I’m coming home." 
An estimated 220 million train rides are made during the 40-day travel season. Chen is one of hundreds of passengers spending the next 30 hours cramped on this service to the south-western city of Chongqing. Meanwhile, at her family home in Sichuan province, her son and husband are preparing for her return. 
"Chinese New Year is so important because every year the family will be able to spend time together."  "I am so happy in my heart. My wife is returning home." 
It's 3am, and finally the moment the family have been waiting for. The following day, Chen welcomes a steady stream of relatives. For her, and all of China's 236 million migrants, this is the only time of year they spend with their family. 
"The best thing about New Year is being with family. The old, the young, everyone, I’m so happy." 
It's now time to relax in Chen's small town, a world away from her life in the metropolis. Until, that is, she makes the journey back to work in three weeks' time. 

Answers:

1. a

2. a

3. b


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Comprehension: Indian appetite grows for meat

More and more Indians are driving a demand for meat in a country with a traditionally low intake. A survey in 2006 showed 40 percent of the population were vegetarian, while for many others meat used to be a luxury. But as lifestyles change and the country rapidly urbanises, Indians are opting for a fleshier menu.

Watch the video below and answer the following questions. Are they True or False?

1. Cafe Ridge only serves vegetarian dishes.
a. True
b.False

2. Environmentalists are happy that more livestock is being raised.
a. True
b. False

3. It is more economical for a farmer to rear chickens than anything else.
a. True
b. False 

For transcript and answers see below or go to:
http://eflexlanguages.blogspot.fr/2013/02/transcript-and-answers-indian-appetite.html

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Transcript and Answers: Indian appetite grows for meat

It's barbecue time in Mumbai. India's booming middle-class is propelling a rise in eating meat, known here as "non veg". The country has a strong tradition of vegetarianism, held as an ideal by some of its religious groups. But as disposable incomes rise, scenes like this are becoming more common. 

"Earlier it used to be mainly at home; people would never trust eating non-vegetarian food outside their house." 

"Multi cuisines are coming down to India. Spanish is coming, French is coming. They serve very less vegetables, so to try a different cuisine you need to be open to eating non-veg and trying different global cuisines, if they want to try." 

In this affluent part of south Mumbai, many shops, restaurants and even apartment blocks remain meat-free. But even here, Cafe Ridge store does a brisk trade with carnivores, who often pick up new eating habits abroad. 

"Things like Thanksgiving, which was never celebrated over here in Mumbai is now being celebrated every year. Like we have people ordering for turkey, and yes, even for Christmas also we have some people even asking for goose, duck. So yes, things are changing." 

India's poultry industry is booming. Diverting grain, land and water to livestock has environmentalists worried. The country faces huge pressures as the population and meat demands grow. But for those in the business, rearing chickens makes sense. 

"You have self-employment, you require a small space. In a small space you can do a lot of business. See a farmer who has say half an acre of land, he can't make really any sort of money, but if he puts up a shed of say 2,000 square feet, 5,000 square feet, he makes much much more." 

While the meat keeps coming, the new generation's appetite shows no sign of shrinking. 

Answers

1. b

2. b

3. a

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http://www.eflexlanguages.com/

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