Academic Interactions 130

Spring 2015

IECP

Nikki Mattson

Agenda

• Conversation Starters

• Preparing reactions

• Summarizing and reacting (practice)

• Pie chart descriptions

Conversation Starter 130A

• Most people have been burnt in sometime

in his or her life; interestingly, people

employ many different treatments for

burns. Some people use medicine while

others prefer to use conventional ways

such ice, honey or toothpaste on the

affected part of the body. What do you

think is the best way to treat a burn?

(Biology, Zainab Almishaal,A130,A

Conversation Starter 130A

• Today, the process of designing buildings is dominated

by computers. Software tools used in the design phase

can automate repetitive calculations and drawing tasks.

All these applications help engineers to design a new

construction with a high degree of precision. These

software tools make the design process faster, clearer

and more effective. In your opinion, do you think these

software tools help engineers to will be more creative

when designing new buildings?

(Maryam Alsolami, Computer Sciences, A130)

Conversation Starter 130A

• The stomach contains digestive enzymes

and a strong acid called HCL. This acid

can burn the skin if touched. In your

opinion, how does the stomach protect

itself from being burnt by HCL? (Biology,

Zainab Bu Ali,130A)

•

Conversation Starter 130B

• Some lawyers like to keep

distance between themselves and their

clients, which means not all solutions are

available for a client, even it is his case.

Others may allow for his client share more

and to be involved with what the lawyer is

doing before the date of the case in the

court. Which way do you prefer and why?

(Mohammed ALfalhi, Law, B130)

Conversation Starter 130B

• With a degree in hand, your next step to

becoming a forensic scientist involves on-

the-job training. This training will depend

upon which specific sector of forensic

science you wish to work in. The training

sessions can last anywhere from 6 to 12

months. Does your major provide you with

any training sessions?

(Hassan Al-Obaidly, Forensic science,

130B)

Conversation Starter 130B

• Some design errors can cause buildings to

collapse and to be dangerous for people.

One example of a design error is an

inappropriate amount of space between

buildings. How much distance do you think

is necessary between two buildings which

are located in a crowded city?

(Vanny, Architecture, 130B)

Reacting to an Article

Below are some questions that you can use to guide your thinking as

you prepare your reaction/opinion to the article.

• 1. What did you agree and/or disagree with?

• 2. What did you find convincing? What were you suspicious of?

• 3. What surprised you?

• 4. How did you feel about what you read?

• 5. Do you have any experience that relates to the article’s content?

• 6. Is there any important information missing from the article? What

questions are left unanswered?

• 7. Did you notice any bias and/or stereotyping in the article? What

was the motivation for/purpose of the article?

Individual Preparation Time (10

minutes)• Prepare to give a 1-minute summary of

and 1-minute reaction to your article

Summary and Reaction

Practice

1. Partner 1 summary (1-minute)

2. Partner 1 reaction (1-minute)

3. Discussion about article 1 (1-minute)

4. Partner 2 summary (1-minute)

5. Partner 2 reaction (1-minute)

6. Discussion about article 2 (1-minute)

7. Repeat!

Describing Pie Charts

What do you already know?

http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/iel

ts-pie-chart.html

http://www.iel

tsbuddy.com/

ielts-pie-

chart.html

Practice

1. 75% is three-quarters.

2. 60% is three-fifths.

3. 40% is two-fifths.

4. 20% is a/one-fifth.

5. 50% is half.

6. 10% is one in ten/one-tenth.

7. 5% is one in twenty/ one-twentieth.

8. 66% is two-thirds.

9. 80% is four-fifths.

10.25% is a quarter.

Practice 2

• 1. 77% is just over three quarters.

• 2. 27% is just over a/one quarter.

• 3. 97% is almost all.

• 4. 49% is just under/nearly half.

• 5. 32% is almost/nearly a third.

• 6. 5% is a very small number.

• 7. 18% is just under/nearly a/one-fifth.

• 8. 68% is around two thirds.

• 9. 58% is approximately 60%.

• 10. 85% is a very large majority.

Partner Practice (Oral)

• Handout

Sample Response

HW

• Group Presentation DUE 4/10 (Box)

• Tutoring and Conversation Partner

(meeting 7 –last one) recording and

reflection DUE 4/12 (Box)