HOW TO DESCRIBE A CARTOON

HOW TO DESCRIBE A CARTOON

The cartoonist may want to convey the idea that…

Its message might be that…

Perhaps the cartoonist’s intention is to show that…

The cartoon implies that…

At first glance one might think that… but a closer analysis shows that…

You could draw the conclusion that…

a speech bubble/ thought bubble

on the (visual) surface

X stands for/ symbolizes…

The aim of the cartoonist is to exaggerate certain character traits

This cartoon shows a satirical description (of)

to satirize sth.

to criticize the behaviour of ....

The cartoon is critical towards…

This cartoon is an outspoken critic (of)

to disapprove of sth.

The cartoonist’s intention is to make fun of/ to poke fun at sb./sth./ridicule sth/sb

to make a sarcastic comment (on)

Let's analyse a cartoon:

Step 2:
What is going on in the cartoon?

Use present continuous to describe

Step 3:
What is the message of the cartoon?

MEDIATION: HOW TO QUOTE

        

Lead-ins, also called signal phrases, introduce quotations.

l According to X, “. . .”

l In the words of X,  “. . .”

l As X puts it, “. . .”

Alternate signal phrase verbs:

Adds, admits, agrees, argues, asserts, believes, claims, comments, compares, confirms, contends, declares, denies, disputes, emphasizes, endorses, grants, illustrates, implies, insists, notes, observes, points out, reasons, refutes, rejects, reports, responds, suggests, thinks, writes.

l X points out that “. . .”

l X, (well-known scientist), argues that “. . .”

l X, (a professor at X University), admits that “. . .”

l X has concluded that “. . .”

l X reports that “. . .”

l X writes that “. . .”

l X stated in an interview that “. . .”

l “. . .,” remarks X, “. . .” .

l “. . .,” claims X

l X claims that “. . .”

1. To contend: assert something as a position in an argument. Spanish argüir, sostener

Example: She contends that the judge was wrong

2. Endorse: declare one’s public approval or support of. Spanish: aprobar, refrendar

Example: I fully endorse that opinion

3. Refute: refutar, rebatir. To deny or contradict ( a statement or accusation). Prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false; disprove

Example: these claims have not been convincingly refuted

4. Claim: asegurar, afirmar. State or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof

Example: The Prime Minister claimed that he was concerned about Third World debt

Assert: state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. Afirmar

EXPRESSIONS FOR MEDIATION

REFERRING TO THE SOURCE TEXT

·    I’ve read/looked at/listened to ……the leaflet/article/ad…… as you asked me to, and ..

CHOOSING AND REPHRASING THE CONTENT RELEVANT TO THE SITUATION/RECEIVER. SHOWING THAT YOU'VE CONSIDERED THE TASK INFORMATION

Since
Seeing as
Given that you ...
As is indicated here...
As far as you're / your situation is concerned, ...

Since /seeing as you have a dog/are a single parent …….. I consider the following options are the ones that best fit your requirements

REPHRASING CONTENT
· That is to say, …..
· In other words,
   What this basically means is .....
   In a nutshell, ....

  

EXPLAINING /COMMENTING

·         That’s why….

·         For this reason….

EXAMPLES

·         For example, …

·         For instance, ….

BRIDGING INTERCULTURAL DIFFERENCES THROUGH COMPARISON

·         X is similar to /very like/not unlike ……

·         X is a kind of ……

      Cocido is a kind of stew

OFFERING AN OPINION

· In my view, …
· From my point of view, …
· In my humble opinion, ….

GIVING ADVICE AND EMPHASIS TO HIGHLIGHT KEY INFORMATION

· If I were you, I’d…
· I suggest you + present simple
· I suggest+ verb-ing
· I recommend+ verb-ING
· I recommend that +subject+verb

  What I think you really need to pay attention to are/is (the dates, the place....)

     

CONCLUSION
I hope this information is helpul/comes in handy
Let me know if I can do anything else
I hope to have been of service

LIST OF CONNECTORS, LINKS, TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES

Click here for a very useful list. These words will improve your mediations hugely 

SPECIFIC INFO FOR WRITTEN MEDIATION
- Avoid repetitions
- Try to express the same information in fewer words
- Highlight key information (using emphasis)
- Compare, contrast and draw conclusions . Emphasize the advantages expressed in the article, but should also make reference to the disadvantages and extract a final conclusion
- Adapt the message to the recipient by referring to cultural aspects
- Break down the information. Introduction, pros, cons and conclusion could be a good structure on some occasions
- Synthesize: by providing original ideas and opinions based on your previous knowledge and your interlocutor´s from different sources of information, including the text to mediate

-S   EXAMPLES OF MEDIATION:

  WRITTEN TEXTS
https://salondeidiomas.es/mediacion-linguistica-eoi /
https://englishadvancedc1.blogspot.com/2019/10/empower-p-61-summer-job-oral-mediation.html

SPOKEN TEXTS

MISTAKES TO AVOID

Books for free

https://english-e-reader.net/

MEDIATION, WHAT'S THAT?

What EXACTLY is mediation? 

Check out this presentation, which will cast light on what mediation is 

Further information on mediation:

Mediation is a technique used to express relevant aspects of a text in another language. In written exams you are most often asked to mediate a Spanish text into English. Do not translate literally!! You have to process the text. The task is given in a specific situation, e.g. you help a tourist to understand information in Spanish, you write an article for an American school’s year book using a Spanish source, etc. 

Step 1: Read the task carefully to find out what information your addressee needs. 

Step 2: Read the text given to get its meaning and intention. 

Step 3: Highlight or underline keywords. Don’t panic if the text is long and /or complex – Concentrate on the points relevant for the focus of the mediation / to the addressee and leave out the rest. 

Step 4: Take notes in English to process the relevant passages from the Spanish text. Use your own words. Sometimes it is useful to simplify or paraphrase important words or phrases. 

Step 5: Structure your notes according to the task – if necessary, rearrange the structure of the original text. 

Step 6: If there are passages in the text which need explanation to be clarified, add further information. Don’t forget to explain concepts that are typical of one culture but not of the other, e.g. “Abitur” (final exam taken at German schools for higher education). 

Step 7: Write your text summarising your notes. Adapt your language (style, register) to the task and addressee. In an article for a school year book, you use relatively formal language; in an email to a friend, you write more informally.

PAST PAPERS

As you know, there is only one 'liberado' past paper for this level. You can download a zip folder containing it at this link.  

Here is a sample of past papers that  belong to the old curriculum. 

http://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/educacion/certificacion-nivel-idiomas

Other regions' past exams:


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ddTWJOCiuFjoQmVg8Xs5JtouXxz_Z19m/view

SPEAKING/ ORAL Exam Task 1 (Monologue  4 -5 minutes)

These are the monologues that have appeared in the exam over the years. Write your name next to one of them to prepare and deliver in the class. The person who has prepared the topic will have to give his/her presentation after having submitted the text to the teacher for correction. Alternatively you may deliver your presentation on a topic of your choice, one related to your field of interest.

1^st: St prepares topic and outline. Time it and make sure you don´t exceed the time limit. Check pronunciation of new items

2nd: Give presentation and outline to the teacher. Teacher will correct it and give it back to student with feedback

3rd: Student practices at home. (make sure you know how to pronounce every Word)

4rd : delivery to the class (Ss gives presentation, using the outline)

4^th: Teacher emails monologue to all the class. Be prepared to answer your teacher's questions on your production. 

1.     Family: Changes in the last two decades. New type of family in the 21^st century. Having Children in the current social & economic situation. Parental authority. Ideal Parents: Qualities, Rights, Duties & Changing Relationship with Their Children. Leaving the nest vs living with your parents. Divorce in Spain: Social aspects. 

2.     Winners or Losers in life: Personality, Education, Luck. Becoming successful at a young age 

3.     Crowdfunding. Advantages & disadvantages. Other ways to get funds. The role of the Internet to get a job.

4.     Productivity and how to improve it in Spain. Unemployment: Causes & solutions. Youth unemployment. 

5.     Learning English: Type of learner; learning process through the years, English compared to Spanish. Learning Languages. Dealing with problems/difficulties involved in learning.

6.     Important People Who Have Influenced Your Life

7.     Your Other Half. Dating agencies, meeting online, social interaction on the internet. Other ways to meet people in our society. 

8.     Another kind of conflict: Bullying. Causes. Effects. Solutions.: Youngsters: Discipline vs. Freedom; role of the media; responsibility

9.  Spanish Legal System & Crime Rates In Spain. What could your government do to reduce crime? Street crime

10.  Ubiquity of music: Reasons for; right to silence; importance of music in your life.

11.  Big cities. Public transport in big cities; advantages and disadvantages; strengths and weaknesses (Madrid). Travelling by train. Self-driving cars

12.  Self-help books: Reason for their success.

13.  Royalties: Illegal copying/downloading, future of books, films & music. Why. Possible solutions. Intellectual property. Problems faced by artists. Protecting copyright.

14.  Having a good sense of humour. Importance of humour. Pursuit of Happiness, The. What makes us happy. Role of money in happiness.

15.  Shopping habits. Small vs. large shops; evolution of shopping; future of shopping.

16.  Charities, money handled, and their role in society. Aid or Business. Working for a charity and raising funds for charity in the current economic climate. What type of events are the most popular? Is fund-rising widespread in Spain? 

17.  Health & Beauty: Trends. The perfect body. Obsession. Cult of Body, The. Physical appearance. Role of the media. Plastic Surgery: Obsession with looking good.

18.  Mass Media: ICTs (Information & Communication Technologies). The future of the media. No more paper: Consulting information in the digital age.

19.  Social Networking: Friends or Audience? Facebook, Twitter, Tuenti and modern communication. Social relationships: Popularity of networking websites; advantages/disadvantages of online relationships; Meeting people & keeping in touch in the future. Computer Skills: Acquired by teenagers and young people. Internet dependence. Video games (positive and negative features)

20.  Neighbourhood Problems: Drugs, Filth, etc. Street crime. Street Drinking & Anti-social behavior associated with it. Solutions. CCTV: Security vs. privacy; threat of police state; Other forms of surveillance. Concern about security

21.  School Homework. Is it necessary? Importance of free time and creativity. Schools: State vs. private. Home schooling. Bilingual education in Spain. Drop-outs. Current Problems of our education system. Importance of having a university degree. Education & Exams. How to increase motivation. Poor school results. Measures to improve the present system. Free to choose: practical vs. vocational studies 

 22.  Graffitti. Urban art?

23.  Alternative medicine & commonly-held beliefs about health & medicine. Healthcare System & the economic recession in Spain. Maintaining the National Health System. Health in the 21^st century (lifestyles, anxiety disorders…) 

24.  the post-holiday syndrome. Bank holidays. Number of holidays in our country- too many or not enough?

25.  Tourism In Spain and abroad. Ecotourism (vs. Mass Tourism). Being Eco-friendly

27.  Animals and us. Services they provide to humans today. Animal Rights: Should bullfighting be banned? El Toro de la Vega, etc. 

28.  Taxation: Pros & cons of paying higher or lower taxes. How taxes should be spent. Taxing fattening food (a good idea?)

28.  Importance of manners. Generational differences. Worldwide. On The Dot: Punctuality & Arriving Late. Political Correctness: Necessary or not?

29.  Culture Shock: Comparison between different cultures. Shocking aspects.Immigration: Current Situation in Spain. Pros & Cons of Emigrating. Integration of Immigrants. Multiculturalism: Multicultural classrooms. Immigration trends. Future of multicultural societies. Working Abroad due to Spanish recession. Opportunity or Necessity. Living and working abroad. Reasons.

30.  Football celebrities: Overpaid jobs. Money is killing sport. Limiting sportspeople’s earnings. Celebrities & The Right To Privacy.

31. Gender issues. Gender equality: Toys & games; traditional jobs for men/women; reverse discrimination. The situation of women in Spain. 2016 

32. Global warming. Mankind’s effect on nature. Natural Resources. Protecting the environment: Saving energy, Consumerism. Alternative sources of energy.

33.  Reality shows & the reasons for their success. Influence of television on our daily life. Trash TV: Gossip programmes

34. Globalisation and its effect on developing countries.

35. Meritocracy. 

We will mark your presentation following these criteria:

-        Range of vocabulary and grammar

-        Accuracy

-        Organisation (Cohesiveness, signposting, …)

-        Register and appropriateness  (giving enough information, varied and relevant...)

Signposting

Section of presentation	Signpost language
Introducing the topic	The subject/topic of my talk is ... I'm going to talk about ... My topic today is… My talk is concerned with ...
Overview (outline of presentation)	I’m going to divide this talk into four parts. There are a number of points I'd like to make. Basically/ Briefly, I have three things to say. I'd like to begin/start by ... Let's begin/start by saying that/commenting on ..... First of all, I'll... … and then I’ll go on to … Then/ Next ... Finally/ Lastly ...
Finishing a section	That's all I have to say about... We've looked at...
Starting a new section	Moving on now to … Turning to... Let’s turn now to … The next issue/topic/area I’d like to focus on … I’d like to expand/elaborate on … Now we'll move on to... I'd like now to discuss... Let's look now at...
Analysing a point and giving recommendations	Where does that lead us? Let's consider this in more detail. Why is this important?
Giving examples	For example,... A good example of this is... To give you an example,... To illustrate this point...
Summarising and concluding	To sum up ... To summarise... Right, let's sum up, shall we? Let's summarise briefly what we've looked at... If I can just sum up the main points... Finally, let me remind you of some of the issues I've covered... To conclude... In conclusion ... In short ... So, to remind you of what I’ve covered in this talk, … Unfortunately, I seem to have run out of time, so I’ll conclude very briefly by saying that ….. I'd like now to recap...
Paraphrasing and clarifying	Simply put... In other words....... So what I’m saying is.... To put it more simply.... To put it another way....

More interesting vocab and structures to be successful when delivering your monologue

YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT

First... In the first place... To begin with...First of all... I'd like to start by giving my opinion on the impact of tourism on the environment (it's a good idea to rephrase the issue)

To start with... let me express my view on the pros and cons of working as a teacher (use synonyms whenever possible)

Then.... In the second place... Besides, I'll move on to the issue of whether video games are dangerous... (Use an indirect question)

I'd also like to answer / deal with the question of how new technologies have changed our daily life in the past ten years. (Use an indirect question)

EFFECTIVE OPENINGS

In order to grab the attention of the audience you may employ one or two of the following devices:

- Rhetorical questions: 

Can crime really be prevented?

Has the role of teachers changed in the past years?

- Interesting facts:

According to an article I read recently,...

Did you know that...?

I’d like to share an amazing fact / figure with you.

Have you ever heard of...?

- Starting with an anecdote:

Let me tell you what happened to me.

- Problems to think about: (use conditional type 2 or 3)

Suppose / Supposing you wanted to... 

Imagine you had to...

Have you ever wondered what would happen / would have happened if...?

- Quoting a well-known person

As X once said,...

To quote a well-known writer,...

To put it in the words of...

INTRODUCING A POINT 

When delivering a monologue on a particular subject it is important to introduce the key points first.

You may use one of the following phrases:

First of all I'd like to point out...

The main problem is...

The fact is that...

The question of...

Speaking of... 

OR YOU MAY BEGIN BY STATING SOMETHING AS A FACT

As everyone knows...

It is generally accepted that...

There can be no doubt that...

It is a fact that...

Nobody will deny that...

ENUMERATION OF POINTS

If you want to provide several reasons, factors or arguments in a row, you have to organize them in the logical way. In order to structure your answer properly enumerate the main points using one of the suggested phrases:

First of all... In the first place... To begin with...To start with... I'd like to say / to mention that...

Second... Secondly... In the second place... In addition to that... Apart from that... Besides... 

Moreover,...

Furthermore,...

Another example of this is...

Finally,... Lastly... Finally, and perhaps most importantly,...

In conclusion... All in all... All things considered... 

MOVING TO THE NEXT POINT

This leads directly to my next point.

This brings us to the next question.

Let’s now move on / turn to...

After examining this point, let’s turn to...

Let’s now take a look at...

GOING BACK

As I said / mentioned / pointed out earlier,...

Let me come back to what I said before...

Let’s go back to what we were discussing earlier...

As I’ve already explained...

GIVING YOUR OPINION

• I think / feel / believe that...

• As far as I'm concerned....

• As I see it...

• To my mind...

• In my view / opinion...

• From my point of view...

• I tend to think that...

• It seems to me that...

• To my knowledge

• I have the impression that... 

• I reckon...(informal) 

• For my part...

Note: We use from my point of view to express how we see something or how it affects us personally. When we are expressing our beliefs or opinions, we use in my opinion or in my view. E.g. From my point of view, driving is not a good option. I get very tired if I drive more than about two hours. I spent two months working in England. From my point of view, that was the easiest way to learn English. (How the speaker is personally affected by something) In my opinion/In my view, in 100 years’ time people will still be wearing jeans. In my view, everyone should stay in school until they are 18.

GIVING A STRONG OPINION

• I'm absolutely convinced that...

• I'm sure that...

• I strongly believe that...

• I have no doubt that...

• There's no doubt that...

• My own view is that...

• I'm absolutely certain that...

• If you want my honest opinion...

• To tell you the truth / to be honest / frank

EXPRESSING UNCERTAINTY

• I definitely doubt if that...

• I'm uncertain / not sure that...

• As far as I know...

• It is very doubtful whether...

• I don’t know about you, but I ... 

GIVING OPINIONS USING IMPERSONAL LANGUAGE

It is vital that more is done to prevent the illegal trade in wild animals. ◇ (Compare: We have to do more to stop people trading wild animals illegally.)

Journalists play a vital/crucial/essential role in educating the public.

The ability to write well is essential for any journalist.

The Internet has become an indispensable /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/ tool for reporters.

In journalism, accuracy is paramount. / ...is of paramount importance.

It is imperative that journalists maintain the highest possible standards of reporting.

This case emphasizes/highlights the importance of honest communication between managers and employees.

It should be noted that / It is important to remember that / An important point to remember is that ...

I would like to draw attention to the role of listening in effective communication.

MAKING AN OPINION SOUND LESS DEFINITE

Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways.

Phishing is perhaps/possibly/probably the best-known example of this.

It seems/appears that the more personal data which organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this data to be lost or stolen.

It seems clear that introducing national ID cards would do little to prevent identity theft.

It could be argued that the introduction of national ID cards might actually make identity theft easier.

It is possible that/It may be that the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases.

GIVING REASONS AND MAKING A POINT

There are several reasons why I think that...

The reason for this is that / why I say that is....

I base my argument on...

I tell you all this because...

What I'm basically saying is...

The point I'm trying to make is that...

Let me put it this way:...

INDICATING THE END OF YOUR MONOLOGUE

Well, this brings me to the end of what I wanted to say about ....

That covers just about everything I wanted to say about...

As a final point I'd like to say / add that...

Finally, I'd like to highlight one final / key issue.

My final comments concern....

I would like to finish by mentioning...

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMING UP

The obvious conclusion is...

Last but not least...

The only possible solution / conclusion is....

In conclusion I can / would like to say that...

To cut a long story short...

All things considered...

Let me summarize by saying...

Briefly said,...

In short,...

To recap what I've said so far...

To sum up,...