Composition 03:'' Advantages and disadvantages of using Internet''

 Composition 03

Nowadays, most of the people use Internet to search for information, shop online or do online work. There is no doubt that Internet has made our life become easier and more convenient. But, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using Internet?

On the one hand, we can use the Internet to communicate with people around the world, making new friends and learning about different cultures, without having to leave our house. What’s more, the Internet is very useful for students because they can use it to search for information for their school projects or learn new things about the subjects they are interested in. Another advantage is online shopping, which is very popular nowadays. It’s an easy and fast way to shop, compare prices online and get very good deals.

However, the Internet has its dark side, too. Spending a lot of time on the Internet can be very addictive, especially for teenagers. There are lots of video games on the Internet that contain violence and that may have a negative influence on young people. Moreover, cyberbullying is another issue to consider.

In conclusion, I think that Internet is very useful nowadays, but we should use it wisely. It is very important to control children when they surf the Internet in order to avoid Internet addiction or cyberbullying.

Comment 17: ''He' ll still be there, as usual !''

Comment 17

Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked world No.2, after Novak Djokovic, in men’s singles tennis by the ATP. There is plenty of evidence that Nadal is unstoppable on clay and he proved that again recently, winning his 13th Roland Garros title.

From a very young age, Nadal was passionate about sports and played both football and tennis. His uncle, Toni Nadal, has been his tennis trainer since he was 4. At the age of 8, he won an under-12 regional tennis championship which made his uncle intensify training and encourage him to continue playing tennis instead of football. At age 12, Nadal won the Spanish and European tennis titles in his age group. In 2004, he was a member of the Spanish National Team that won the Davis Cup and a year later, he won his first Roland Garros at the French Open. In 2016, in his hometown of Manacor, Rafa Nadal inaugurated his own academy, where he aims to share everything he has learnt over his career with the young students.

This last Sunday, we could watch Nadal winning his 13th Roland Garros in Paris. With his incredible victory against Djokovic, Rafa has now broken a list of records in the tennis history books. What’s more, he has now equalized Roger Federer’s record of 20 grand slams.

To sum up, Rafael Nadal is one of the best tennis players of the 21st century and is considered a hero because of his tennis achievements. I think he is an excellent example for young sportsmen to determine goals and achieve them. He is a great champion, a master of clay!

Composition 02: ''Advantages and disadvantages of following a diet''

 Composition 02

Nowadays, many people around the world suffer from overweight or obesity. Many of them try different diets in order to lose weight. Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of following a diet?

On the one hand, following a diet can improve our health reducing our blood pressure and cholesterol. Moreover, it improves our confidence, as we become more attractive after losing weight. What's more, following a diet is not only about losing weight, but it is also about eating more healthily.

On the other hand, sometimes following a diet can be hard because you may no longer be able to eat your favorite food and it may imply a continuous feeling of hunger. Furthermore, some dites can be unhealthy since we lose many nutrients of our body. Another disadvantage is that we can gain more weight after the diet if we don't exercise.

In conclusion, we have seen that there are advantages and disadvantages when following a diet. I think we should all have good nutritional habits and a balanced diet, along with doing exercise in order to be healthy and fit. 

Composition 01- A narrative: ''My first date''

Composition 01 

Last week, I was invited to a party at John's house. There, I met an incredible girl called Mary and, after a short speech, I immediately asked her out. As soon as she accepted my proposal, we decided to meet at the local park the next day.

I was so nervous that day that I nearly arrived late. I decided to wear my best clothes and, the previous day, I had gone to the hairdresser to have my hair cut. When I arrived, she was sitting on the bench waiting for me. Then, we walked around the park talking about ourselves. The weather became worse, and we decided to go to a pub afterwards. There, I invited her for a drink and we had a nice conversation, where we learned a lot more about each other. Later on, we danced. We had a great time at the pub, so we agreed to meet again at the weekend.

Once we left the pub, I called a taxi and I took her to her house. Just before she left the taxi, I asked her for her phone number and she gave it to me. When I got home, I called her to make sure she had my phone number, too. I wished her goodnight and I told her I was really looking forward to meeting her again.

Comment 16: ''Time to leave Britons!! Brexit is here.''

Brexit is an abbreviation of “British exit,” and refers to the UK’s plan to leave the European Union. It’s the first time a member officially decides to leave the EU.

The Brexit process began with the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union in a referendum in 2016. At 11pm GMT on 31st January 2020, Britain officially left the EU after 47 years of membership. Specialists say that leaving the EU will allow Britain to re-establish itself as a truly independent nation.

Nobody knows how the Brexit will turn out yet. The majority say it may have a negative impact on the economy, on jobs, homes and trade relationships with other countries. However, supporters of Brexit think that it would be in the best interest of other European countries to re-establish free trade.

To sum up, the UK is no longer an EU member. Being the first country to exit the EU, it is yet to be seen the consequences that this will have for the country and its citizens.

Comment 15: '' INDEPENDENT or living with your parents???''

 

Millions of young adults around the world have to live with their parents because they are jobless. Since the financial crisis started in Spain, in 2008, thousands of people have left the country and others have been forced to live in their parents’ house.

On the one hand, living with your parents can be a positive and comfortable option. For instance, you don’t have to pay bills or rent, you don’t have to cook or do domestic work. What’s more, you can spend a lot of time with your parents and family, in general. Family support and company is always important.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages, too. For example, most people live in small apartments, so there isn’t so much personal space. You can say goodbye to your privacy and the concept of having your own space! Besides, you have to obey the house rules always if you don’t want to live in a continuous disagreement with your parents. Moreover, you can forget about calling your friends over or hosting parties.

To sum up, living with your parents being a young adult can have both advantages and disadvantages. Living with your parents and living by yourself is like living in two different planets. I think it’s important to find a good job once we finish studying in order to become responsible people, socialize, face the real world and be independent.

Comment 14: ''Mysterious craters appeared in Siberia''

 

Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer below Earth’s surface which consists of soil, gravel, and sand. Permafrost can be found on land and below the ocean floor, where temperatures rarely rise above freezing. That is why permafrost is often found in Arctic regions such as Greenland, the U.S. state of Alaska, Russia, China, and Eastern Europe.

There are two types of permafrost. One is from glacier ice, left over from the last Ice Age, and the other one is ice that has formed in the ground itself. An area can have continuous, discontinuous, sporadic, or isolated permafrost. The part of Russia known as Siberia has continuous permafrost, which means that there is a continuous sheet of frozen material.

A Russian TV crew flying over the Siberian tundra this summer spotted a massive crater 30 meters (100 feet) deep and 20 meters wide. Although scientists link it to climate change, they are not sure exactly how the huge hole formed.

Permafrost, which amounts to two-thirds of the Russian territory, is a huge natural reservoir of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and recent hot summers in the region may have played a role in creating these craters. Studies show that gases, mostly methane, can accumulate in the upper layers of permafrost and create pressure that is strong enough to create a crater.

In conclusion, it is shown that global warming is causing an important impact on our planet due to the release of high quantities of CO2 of the permafrost melting. As the global temperature keeps rising, I think scientists must research the crater formation phenomenon urgently to prevent possible disasters.

Comment 13: '' Influencers in our society''

Influencers are people who can influence the decisions of their followers as they have the power to persuade us to buy things they advertise in different areas, such as fashion, beauty, gaming, technology, travel, cooking, etc. Social media influencers are very popular among teenagers nowadays.

To begin with, it is estimated that about 40% of the world’s population uses social media. Teenagers spend a large part of their time watching, giving likes to influencers' posts and commenting on them. One of the biggest platforms is Instagram and influencers use it to post about their everyday life, stay connected with their followers, or promote different kinds of products. Teenagers choose to follow the influencers for entertainment, information or advice. Depending on how many posts they make and how many likes they get, influencers can win a lot of money.

On the other hand, the impact of social media influencers on teenagers may have negative consequences, too. There are lots of influencers who practise bad habits, such as smoking, drinking or using inappropriate language. What’s more, influencers’ content may also affect teenagers’ psychological well-being.

All in all, it is shown that influencers are very popular among teenagers and that they make a good profit out of it. The more they post, the more followers they get. Being an easy way to make money, it is no surprise that more and more people are keen to become influencers nowadays.

Comment 12: '' Bubión on fire, but...''

 A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire caused by nature or human activities in forests or rural areas. Wildfires usually occur in hot and dry climates and they have become a global issue. But, why do wildfires happen?

On the one hand, the main factor for increasing wildfires is the climate change. It causes high temperatures, droughts, and strong winds in the summertime. Therefore, dry vegetation becomes fuel which results in wildfires. The dry season has become longer, so wildfires have become more and more frequent, nowadays.

On the other hand, human activity is another cause of wildfire ignitions. The most common direct human causes of wildfire ignition include having a barbeque in the forest, dropping burning cigarettes, fireworks, fire camping, etc. As a result, grass and trees can be set on fire and turn into big forest fires.

Wildfires occur all over the world and are a big issue, nowadays. According to Global Wildfires, in Europe, the number of wildfires reaches over 40% on average. Moreover, recently, The United States and Australia have suffered the worst damage and largest wildfires ever.

In conclusion, most of the wildfires occur in dry seasons and will continue to affect us in the future. Therefore, wildfires will become larger, wilder, and more frequent around the world due to climate change. I think we should all take steps to reduce global warming and avoid, this way, wildfire ignitions.

Comment 11: ''Big Bottle: a typically Spanish phenomenon''

 ‘’The Big Bottle’’ is a typically Spanish phenomenon among teenagers and young adults. They meet up in public areas to socialize while drinking alcohol, smoking and listening to music. The activity usually begins around 11 p.m. and lasts until the next morning. But what could be the consequences of this activity?

On the one hand, the main problem is that many young people experience drinking at very early ages. Researches show that many teenagers start drinking at the age of 14. As a result, underage drinking is a serious health problem worldwide. Every year, thousands of young people under the age of 20 die as a result of underage drinking. Young people who drink heavily may risk serious alcohol problems, such as alcoholism and important effects on their brain, their liver and their body growth and development, in general. In addition, they risk other adverse consequences, including risky sexual activity and poor performance at school.

On the other hand, ‘’the big bottle’’ participants leave public areas vandalized and full of rubbish. What’s more, the noise can disturb surrounding residents who get frustrated because they cannot take any action against drunken people, as these can turn very violent.

To sum up, ‘’the big bottle’’ phenomenon is a dangerous activity for both young drinkers and the society. Alcohol is widely available nowadays and it is the main cause of car crashes, homicides, suicides and sexual violence. Although drinking in the streets is prohibited in our country, I believe this phenomenon is a serious social problem because it is still very common among us.

Summer comment 2020: ''Exams vs Coronavius''

Exams are tests aimed to determine the ability of a student. They are usually official written tests and have an important role in the process of learning on any educational career.

On the one hand, exams are important because they improve our knowledge and make us more competitive. The spirit of competition is a way of promoting and developing new ideas as it pushes a person’s ability to do more and better. What’s more, good grades in exams bring scholarships and a great opportunity to get a better job in the future or go to a better university.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages, too. For example, exams are a source of stress and pressure which can lead to health problems, such as headaches, nausea, sleeping disorder or even vomiting. We can get stressed because we have to memorize a lot of information in a very short time.

All in all, exams are a way to empower a person and prepare him for future challenges. Even if exams have good and bad sides, I think they can really improve a child’s thinking capability and create an innovative mind.

Summer comment 2020: ''Time to bite the bullet!!''

Since its founding in 1997, the video streaming service Netflix has become one of the biggest obsessions for students across the world. Recent research shows that Netflix addiction is quite a problem among youngsters, nowadays.

To begin with, 9 out of 10 students use Netflix and 17% of them binge-watch - meaning they watch 3 or more episodes in a row. It has been shown that this type of addiction can have a serious negative impact on a person’s life. It affects your health, your body and your social life. Spending so many hours in front of the TV screen can lead to eye pain, headaches, fatigue, sleeping disorder and even obesity.

In addition, people who become addicted to TV tend to have poor attention and self-control, feel guilty about wasting time and experience fear of failure. What’s more, a behaviour disorder and decreased school performance are linked to it.

To put it in a nutshell, it has been shown that there are increasing addictive screen behaviours in both children and adults. I strongly believe that we should not let screens take control of our lives and we should take steps to reduce screentime in our lives and its effects.

Summer comment 2020: ''It is what it is''

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental threats facing the planet. The entire planet is experiencing a climate change which has an enormous impact on people’s lives and ecosystems.

To begin with, it has been reported that the average global temperature has risen by one degree in the last 30 years. Increases in ocean temperature and the Earth´s surface temperature, widespread melting of snow and ice, and the rising of sea level are some of the evidences regarding climate change.

What's more, scientists worry that climate change brings a real threat to the permafrost. Permafrost is defined as any type of ground that has been frozen continuously for two years or more. It contains massive amounts of carbon which are likely to be released as climate change heats up the world. Around a quarter of the northern hemisphere is covered by permafrost. According to a new study, the absence of sea ice in the Arctic is closely connected to the melting of permafrost.

All in all, climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face these days. Global warming will cause an important impact on our planet due to the release of high quantities of CO2 of the permafrost melting. It´s important that we all take the appropiate steps to reduce both air and earth pollution in order to save the planet from the consequences of global warming.

Summer comment 2020: ''Mask up the world!!!''

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus and it spreads from person to person by the drops that remain in the air when infected people talk, cough or sneeze. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020, face masks have become very common among us.

Medical face masks are recommended in order to prevent the spread of the virus. There is an increasing evidence that both symptomatic and asymptomatic people can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. That is why an appropriate use of the masks is important along with other preventive measures, such as social distancing, hand hygiene and avoiding touching our face, nose, eyes or mouth.

At the moment, more than 50 countries in the world require people to use the mask when they leave home. Putting on a mask every time we go out is like a ritual nowadays. In order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus in our country, masks are to be worn everywhere to keep safe. The use of the mask is compulsory for everyone older than six. On the contrary, we risk a fine of €100.

To end up, even though the use of face masks in public is compulsory, it should be considered only as a complementary measure. It is extremely important that we all practise good hygiene and keep the social distance of at least two meters.

Summer comment 2020: ''Bubión, a village close to Heaven!''

Bubión, a village close to Heaven!

Bubión is a quiet little village located in the South of Granada, in the Alpujarra region. Most of the village is part of the Sierra Nevada National Park and it offers spectacular views. Together with the nearby villages of Pampaneira and Capileira, it has been declared an official Historical and Artistic Site.

Its Moorish architecture, the tranquillity of the atmosphere and its pleasant Mediterranean climate have made Bubión a perfect place for those looking for peace. From Bubión you can see both the surrounding mountains and the sea. Costa Tropical is just one hour drive from the Alpujarra.

The essence of the rural tourism in Bubión is the Villa Tirística, a hotel which offers spectacular views over the village and it´s two minutes walk from the old town. Visitors can start exploring the village on foot, by car, horse riding or cycling. The village has several trekking and cycling routes. One of the best walks is from Bubión to Capileira.

If you are a fan of the gastronomy, in Bubión there are few restaurants and bars on the main road where you can enjoy the typical tapas and dishes of the Alpujarra. The most popular dish is the Plato Alpujarreño, which consists of fried potatoes and eggs, ham and blood sausage.

In conclusion, Bubión is a peaceful and spectacular place to visit, so rich in history and with a fascinating culture. I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys rural tourism as it is a magical place to visit.

Summer comment 2020: '' FOMO, the syndrome striking people these days''

 FOMO, the syndrome striking people these days

‘’FOMO’’, or fear of missing out, is a form of social anxiety produced by the idea that other people might be having more fun than you. The term “FOMO” became popular with the rise of social media, so people who experience this phenomenon are likely to be active on social media.

During the lockdown, feelings of FOMO disappeared, but now that bars, restaurants, hotels and clubs are opened, they might be here again. If you are too busy looking at the lives of other people spending a lot of your time on social media, you are clearly a FOMO victim.

This type of anxiety can affect your personal and professional life. In order to reduce the fears you experience about not doing what other people do, the first thing to do is taking a break from social media and give some time to yourself! Discover what makes you happy and focus only on that!

In conclusion, having FOMO can seriously affect our life. I think it is important to get over feelings of FOMO, as it will lead us to a happier and successful life.

Summer comment 2020: '' Unfortunately, not a good time for live music''

Unfortunately, not a good time for live music

It´s been six months since the coronavirus pandemic was declared. Unfortunately, the virus is still among us. Therefore, in order to protect ourselves and others, we must wear a mask everywhere we go, keep good hygiene, and maintain a social distance of at least 1,5 meters between each other. So, are mass gatherings a good idea nowadays?

Mass gatherings are events characterized by the concentration of people at a specific place and can include a single event or a combination of several events. There are different types of mass gatherings such as sport competitions, concerts, religious events, and others.

In the context of COVID-19, mass gatherings could significantly increase the risk of the virus spreading. In our country, at the moment, the situation is still critical, as the number of cases keeps rising. The authorities have decided that it is essential to implement strict social distancing measures which are aimed to hold back the spread of the virus. As a result of that, mass gatherings are being prohibited in our country until the situation gets back to normal.

In conclusion, mass gatherings are not a good idea during this global pandemic. I personally think that mass gatherings are prohibited worldwide at least until a vaccine is found. Everyone should continue keeping their distance from other people whenever possible and good hygiene should be maintained.

Summer comment 2020: '' Are school exam results always fair?''

 

Are school exam results always fair?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the closure of schools and universities. The pandemic has hit the learners hard and both learning and examination have been affected due to school closures.

In UK, teachers and pupils call this year’s exam grades ‘’unfair’’ as almost 40% of the marks downgraded after examinations were cancelled earlier this year because of the COVID-19. Teachers were asked to provide predicted grades for each pupil and each subject and the moderation of these grades was done by the exam regulator Ofqual, taking into account the pupils’ previous exam results.

In Spain, the qualification system wasn’t very fair this year either. Teachers were asked to take into account the final grades of the first and the second term of each pupil and ensure that the majority of students pass the course. This system is not fair as it might give some students an unfair advantage over others.

To sum up, I think this year´s final grades were pretty unfair because lots of students have passed the year with grades that they didn’t deserve. Moreover, I consider that the hard work of some students was not properly reflected after all

Summer comment 2020: ''Have you ever spilt the tea? ''

''My summer recommendations''

I´m about to finish 1º Bachillerato this year and I must say that I haven´t found it so difficult to get a good final grade in English. Here are some pieces of advice you should take into consideration if you want to pass English with Albert and especially with a good mark.

First of all, I want to make clear that English is a very nice language and it will help you a lot in the future if you want to go to university or search for a job. To be good at English you have to like it and study it every day! Besides, the more you study, the better marks you will get!

Secondly, in order to pass English with Albert, you must follow his pieces of advice from the beginning of the year until the end of the 3rd term. If I were you, I would follow his pieces of advice! He will ask you to do all the exercises from each unit of the textbook, in advance, if possible. The textbook for 1º Bachillerato is ''Get Set 1'' so you can borrow it or buy it this summer and start doing the exercises from each unit. This way you will have more time to prepare for other subjects during the school year. In addition, another thing you should take into consideration is that you should do all the compositions during the school year and make comments on your teacher´s blog, correct them, and then upload them on your blog. In both the 1st and 2nd term you must make 10 comments and in the 3rd one, 5 quality comments. All this will increase your mark at the end of each term! Moreover, you´ll be doing projects, exams and dictations from the readers, so you´d better make time to read every book that the teacher tells you. Other important pieces of advice I can give you are: always participate in class, do the reader sheets every term and don´t miss classes! If you do all that, it will increase your final term mark.

Finally, learning English with Albert isn´t that difficult! You just need to get used to his teaching system and follow his instructions! Listen to me, do everything that your teacher asks you and you will pass English! Otherwise, you will have to study during the summer and you won´t enjoy your vacation at all!

To sum up, English is not so difficult to pass!!! Remember: be honest, work hard, don´t cheat and don´t be a fake student!!! It is in the Selectivity exam where you will see how honest you have been during Bachillerato!

Alberto´s Blog Exercises- Part 1 and Part 2

Blog´s exercises part 1

154. TENSES. Put the verb in brackets into their appropriate form:

1. She went to the optician and (her eyes / tested) had her eyes tested.

2. These shoes need (clean) to be cleaned, because they are rather dirty.

3. I won't know the answer until I (see) see him.

4. She (play) has been playing volleyball for two hours.

5. When he was younger he (play) used to play football, but now he doesn't play anymore.

6. When I (get) got home, smoke (come) was coming out of one of the upstairs windows.

7. My grandfather can remember (go) going to the cinema with my grandmother.

8. Would you like (come) to come to a party on Saturday evening?

9. I'm looking forward (meet) to meeting you again next summer.

10. I (not take) am not going to take that bus because I have a meeting in Granada at 14.00 and I'm afraid I (not arrive) won´t arrive in time if I take that one.

155. Put the following sentences into the PASSIVE VOICE:

1. They are cleaning your house at the moment.

Your house is being cleaned at the moment.

2. We call Lieutenant Columbus only on special occasions.

Lieutenant Columbus is called by us only on special moments.

3. Someone stole all the jewels last night.

All the jewels were stolen last night.

4. Nobody will serve refreshments until the match is over.

Refreshments won´t be served until the match is over.

5. People think they make these artificial flowers of silk.

It is thought that these artificial flowers are made of silk /// These flowers are thought to be made of silk.

156. Put the following sentences into INDIRECT SPEECH:

1. "Bring me the newspaper, please", the father to the son.

The father asked his son politely to bring him the newspaper.

2. "Who put salt in my coffee?", he asked.

He asked who had put salt in his coffee.

3. "I'm going fishing with my mother this afternoon", said the small boy.

The small boy said that he was going fishing with his mother that afternoon.

4. "What was she wearing when you saw her last?”, the policeman asked me.

The policeman asked me what she was wearing when I last saw her.

5. "I'll sit up till she comes in, but I hope she won't be late", said Mrs Pitt.

Mrs Pitt said that she would sit up until she came in, but Mrs Pitt hoped that she wouldn’t be late.

157. Give a piece of advice to each problem:

1. I find it really difficult to get up in the mornings.

You should go to bed earlier /// How about having some hot milk before you go to bed? /// You shouldn´t stay up so late in the night.

2. My car is not going very well lately.

You should take it to the garage so that you can have it repaired /// Why don´t you buy a new one?

Blog´s exercises part 2

158. COMPARATIVES. Fill in the gaps with the comparatives of superiority and the superlatives of the adjectives you are given in brackets:

1. For (far) further information on the passive you should revise the grammar revision.

2. Mick Malone's (old) elder brother came from Ireland to visit him. 

3. This is (bad) the worst football match I've ever watched.

Translate the following sentences into English:

4. Ella no llegó tan tarde como de costumbre.

She didn´t arrive as late as usual. 

5. Cuanto más estudio, menos problemas tengo con el inglés.

The more I study, the less problems I have with English.

6. Los exámenes se van complicando cada vez más.

Exams are getting more and more complicated.

159. Insert the second sentences into the first ones by means of RELATIVE CLAUSES:

1. That is the boy. I borrowed his motorbike last Saturday.

That is the boy whose motorbike I borrowed last Saturday.

2. Southampton is a busy sea port. It is on the south coast of England.

Southampton, which is on the south coast of England, is a busy sea port.

3. Jimmy Connors was once married to Chris Evert. He was a very famous American tennis player.

Jimmy Connors, who was a very famous American tennis player, was once married to Chris Evert.

4. Apollo XI was the spaceship. It took Armstrong and Aldrin to the moon.

Apollo XI was the spaceship that took Armstrong and Aldrin to the moon.

5. Last year I had to read the book. You are looking at it now.

Last year I had to read the book that you are looking at now.

160. CONDITIONALS. Put the verbs in brackets into their correct tense and fill in the gaps (...) with these words: IF / WHEN / PROVIDED THAT / UNLESS / AS LONG AS.

1. I am going to Rome next week. When I (BE) am there, I (SEE) will see the Coliseum.

2. Unless we (GO) go now, we (MISS) will miss the train.

3. I (HELP) will help you as long as I (FINISH) finish first.

4. If she had  (HAVE) a ticket, she (GO) would go to the concert.

5. Albert sr.(PLAY) would play with you tomorrow morning provided that Albert jr. (NOT EAT) didn´t eat every three hours.

Composition 09- A report

Composition 09

The purpose of this report is to look at two different forms of spending our free time as teenagers. This report will compare reading with playing video games.

To begin with, video games have become one of the favourite activities among teenagers. A disadvantage is that you spend a lot of time in the house and you don´t socialize. What´s more, they can be very addictive and, in some cases, they can affect our behavior. However, an advantage is that they teach how to work as a team, they improve our attention, concentration and the ability to solve problems.

On the contrary, reading is a great way for teenagers to spend their free time. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that reading improves our mental and physical health, our concentration and our ability to think clearly. In addition, reading also allows people to relax and reduce stress levels. Although reading has its benefits, we should not spend a  lot of time reading during the day because it can affect our eyes and, as a result, we can get headaches.

All in all, we have seen that reading has a lot more positive effects than gaming. I would absolutely recommend reading because it helps to improve our life style and our knowledge.

5th Quality comment- UBI - Universal Basic Income is demanded!

UBI - Universal Basic Income is demanded!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, apart from the human loss, a massive negative effect on the worldwide economy is expected. Factories, schools, and lots of businesses have shut down. Recently, a few politicians and even Pope Francis agreed that the UBI (universal basic income) could be the solution against the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus lockdown. But, what is the UBI?

Universal basic income, or UBI, means that everyone gets a set monthly income, without having to work for it. The idea of a state-run basic income is not new. It dates back to the early 16th century when Sir Thomas More's Utopia described a society in which every person receives a guaranteed income. Currently, there are several countries where UBI projects have already been launched, but it has not provided positive results in all of them.

Finland, for example, has become the first country of the EU to start paying jobless people a certain amount of money, but, unfortunately, that did not lead them to find work afterwards. In Western Kenya, adults are being given $22 a month for 12 years, until 2028. In Italy, the government is working on introducing a ¨citizens´income¨. In Spain, a "minimum vital income" will be approved in May and be sent to nearly 100,000 vulnerable single-parent households. However, we should know that a "minimum vital income" is not the same as a universal basic income, which is granted without any conditions to every citizen.

One of the benefits of introducing the UBI is that it can raise people´s living standards because it is aimed at eradicating poverty. What´s more, workers could afford to wait for a better job or better wages.

To sum up, I strongly believe that a Universal Basic Income is needed more than ever! The introduction of an emergency Universal Basic Income could provide some financial security for people and it would help reduce the effects of the expected economical crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.