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Comprehension Culture Learning Reading

Reading: How should we commemorate the battle of Waterloo?

Readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts

The Duke of Wellington in command at the Battle of Waterloo. Illustration: North Wind Picture Archiv The Duke of Wellington in command at the Battle of Waterloo.

Never mind the first world war and D-day, how will we commemorate the bicentenary of the battle of Waterloo (18 June 2015)? Presumably we join with the Germans (Prussians), but should we invite the French?

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Culture Festival Movies Reading

Reading: Top 10 open-air cinemas in Europe: readers’ travel tips

With romantic locations under the stars, Europe’s outdoor cinemas evoke the magic of the silver screen

Sala Montjuïc, Barcelona

 Sala Montjuïc, Barcelona

Winning tip: Sala Montjuïc, Barcelona

The Sala Montjuïc is an open-air cinema festival that takes place each summer in the gardens of Barcelona’s Montjuïc Castle. There’s a mix of classics and new films. Last year I saw Blancanieves, the silent film version of Snow White, backed by a live band. You can get a ticket for €13.50 that includes an organic burger and chips, although there are plenty of people who bring hampers full of beer and snacks.

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Culture Reading Vocabulary

Recipe: Pepper Jack Potatoes

pepper-jack-potatoes-d

Pepper Jack Potatoes Recipe

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4.

You can use either russets or Yukon gold for this dish. The russets are trickier to keep from overcooking, the Yukons hold their shape easier. If you end up overcooking the potatoes, you can mash them for pepperjack mashed potatoes.

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Comprehension Culture Jokes Learning

Phrasal Verb of the day

Fall about

The laughing baby

 Significado: troncharse, partirse (de risa).

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Comprehension Culture

QUOTE OF THE DAY BY GEORGE WASHINGTON

 

images

   George Washinton by Rembrandt

 

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”

George Washington

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Culture Learning Reading

Recipe: Key lime pie

keylimepie_93185_16x9

You can make this zesty pie in advance and keep it in the fridge until ready to serve.

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Culture News Reading

Reading: Ten of the best small music festivals in Europe

With the festival season looming, we look at some of the smaller (aka cheaper) and offbeat (aka less crowded) options in Europe

Kraftwerk performs live at the Sonar festival in Barcelona, Spain Kraftwerk play the Positivus festival in Latvia in July.

 Positivus, Salacgriva, Latvia

18-20 July 
Situated on the Gulf of Riga, Positivius has a whimsical feel and an impressive line up: this year Elbow, Kraftwerk and Anna Calvi are some of the names on the list. Away from the main three stages there is a local arts and crafts market, a cinema tent, circus perfomances, modern dance, theatre and art. It’s not the slickest festival out there but that’s actually something of a bonus as the idyllic setting would be a little at odds with anything sharper.

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Comprehension Culture Idioms Learning

IDIOM OF THE DAY

Dog Days of Summer

descarga The hottest days of the summer season

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Culture Learning Reading

Reading:Cinque Terre: on the trail of Italy’s famous five

After storms devastated Italy’s Cinque Terre three years ago the paths joining the area’s picturesque towns are open again. Our writer swoons over these amazing coastal hikes

Vernazza, Cinque Terre Liguria ItalyVernazza, one of the five stunning coastal towns in the Cinque Terre national park, Luguria, north-east Italy.

In the late afternoon, the small, medieval town of Vernazza, on the Italian Riviera, is as perfect as Italy gets. With the daytrippers gone, the scene is impeccable, a Hollywood filmset, rolling every gorgeous, romantic Italian cliche into one. Up in the hills, winegrowers tend to their vines. In the piazza, flat-capped farmers, swept into corners by the last rays of sun, gather to talk and smoke. Pizza cooks over a wood fire in a restaurant. The town florist bursts into spontaneous operatic song. A couple kiss on a street corner. It’s so romantic, so iconically Italian, that it’s surreal.

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Culture Grammar Reading

Recipe: Apple Pie

 

applepieIngredients:

Pastry for 2 crusts (recipe below)
8 cups sliced, peeled assorted baking apples – about 3 lbs.  (Granny Smith, Cortland, Jonathan)*
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

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Comprehension Culture Learning

Reading: Why Are Black Bear Attacks Up in Florida?

A woman was grabbed in her garage by a black bear, and officials kill five animals. An expert tells us why.

bearA sign warns motorists near Orlando, Florida, of the possibility of bear crossings. Both the bear and human populations are increasing in the state.

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Comprehension Culture Learning Reading

Paradise islands in Asia

Deserted beaches, treehouses with a sea breeze and snorkelling in crystal clear waters … our readers recommend idyllic islands in Asia where you can live out your escapist fantasy

Pom Pom Island, Malaysia.Pom Pom Island, Malaysia … ‘The feeling of wading into glass-like waters and finding oneself among giant green turtles has to be experienced’.