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!