| 1. Air |
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Air is a basic element in the cycle
of life of the planet. Living organisms get from air the oxygen they
need to live. The Earth is surrounded by air, a layer of gases in
constant movement that is called the atmosphere. Many phenomena occur
in the air: changes in temperature and pressure, interchanges of gases,
etc.
When air heats up it weighs less and rises, allowing cooler
air to move into the free space. These movements of air
are the winds. Unless there is a strong wind, we don’t
usually notice air, we neither see nor feel it, and we
usually think of it as being weightless. However, air
is always applying pressure, downwards and sideways, and
with enormous force.
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| Precise concepts. The variety
and richness of language should be balanced with
precision. Sometimes, using synonyms is a good alternative,
but not always. There are aspects of life or qualities
of things that must be expressed clearly and distinctly.
Here is an opportunity to practice precision: |
| Relate the expressions on the right with the words
on the left: |
| 1) When
I run fast, I don’t get enough air
and I get out of breath |
a)
oxygen |
| 2) The
conclusions of the assembly were left
up in the air |
b)
acts pompously |
| 3) It’s
an open-air theatre |
c)
outdoor |
| 4) I
was walking on air |
d)
elated |
| 5) The
air blew out the flame |
e)
undecided |
| 6)
He’s always putting on
airs |
f)
unpolluted |
| 7)
The doctor recommends breathing clean
air |
g)
wind |
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Music. Listen to Water Music. No. 6.
Air by Georg Friedrich Handel. With what type of wind do you
associate this piece of music? Gentle breeze (cool or warm?), strong
wind, storm, cyclone. |
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| Find evidence. What experience
have we got of air? It appears not to be there, we neither see it
nor feel it, but we know of its existence through other forms of perception.
Look for concrete evidence of its presence: for example, when a door
is slammed shut, by the current of air, or when we inflate a balloon
by blowing into it. |
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| © Grup IREF 2003, with the support of the European Commission, DG XXII (Socrates/Comenius 3.2) |
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