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)