IGCSE ESL Lesson 1

Unit 1 Images of Life

Lesson 1- Visual images

Section 1 Reading

In this Unit, you will read about a person

who captures amazing images of nature.
Learn about a new way of viewing the
world.

Explore how the natural world has inspired

the development of new technology and
inventions

Think: How the photograph capture the

quiet moment of the father and son?

I. Warm up Discussion：Discuss these questions with a partner.

1. What kinds of things do you usually photograph?

2. What can a photograph do that words cannot?

II. Before you Read Activity- Vocabulary work

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A. Choose the correct definition for each of the bold words
Vocabulary: tremendous, obsessed, dramatic, represent, controversy, democracy, embrace, instantly,
profound, relevant

1. The new ease of photography has given us b. Is the opposite of something.

a tremendous appetite for capturing the
magical and the ordinary. 7. Photojournalists using camera apps to
a. Very large or great in size, amount, or cover wars and conflicts have created
degree. powerful images — but also controversy.
b. Small or insignificant in size, amount, or a. A celebration of unity and harmony in the
degree. nation.
b. A discussion or argument about something
2. We are obsessed with documenting that people have different opinions on.
everyday moments, whether it's a shot of our
breakfast, our cat, or our cat's breakfast. 8. Many members of the media get stuck on
a. Having a strong interest in something. the same stories, focusing on elections,
b. Having no interest in something. governments, wars, and disasters. In the
process, they miss out on the less dramatic
3. Cameras are everywhere — a situation that images of daily life that can be just as
is transforming the way we experience revealing and relevant.
dramatic events. a. Connected to the current time or situation.
a. Full of humor and funny events. b. Not connected to the current time or
b. Full of excitement and emotional events situation.

4. Quality still matters, but it's less important 9. The increase in the number of photographs
than what's instantly shared. and photographers might even be good for
a. Immediately, without delay. democracy itself. Hundreds of millions of
b. After a long time, eventually. potential citizen journalists make the world
smaller and help keep leaders honest.
5. As people everywhere embrace a. A form of government where the people
photography and the media make use of have the power to choose their leaders and
citizen journalists, professional standards make decisions.
appear to be shifting. b. A form of government where one person or
b. Rejected and avoided with distaste. a small group has all the power.
a. Accepted and took on with open arms.
10. It's not clear whether this flowering of
6. In the past, most people trusted image-making will lead to a public that better
photojournalists to accurately represent appreciates and understands images. Or will it
reality. Today, however, digital images can be simply numb us to the profound effects a
altered in ways the naked eye might never well-made image can have?
notice. a. Shallow and lacking in depth.
a. Expresses or stands for something. b. Deeply understood and well-thought out.

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B. Circle the correct words to complete the paragraph below.

Part III Close Reading:

1. Skim paragraphs A and B. Which of these statements would the author most likely agree
with? Circle a, b, or c. Check your answer as you read the passage
a. The quality of smartphone photos is usually not very good.
b. Smartphones and apps have allowed anyone to be a photographer.
c. Many photojournalists don't approve of amateur photography.

2. Read Paragraph C, and answer following questions.

1. Based on the paragraph C, how do you interpret the changing role of photojournalists in
the digital age?

2. What attitude does the paragraph convey towards the use of cell phones and social media
by photojournalists? Is it positive, neutral, or negative? Provide evidence to support your
answer.

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3. Read Paragraph D-E, and answer following questions.

4. Read Paragraph F- G, and answer following questions.

4. What is the attitude of the passage towards the use of filters in photojournalism?
A. Enthusiastic support.
B. Critical disapproval.
C. Neutral stance.
D. Mixed feelings.

5. Read Paragraph H- J, and answer following questions.

5. Why do these less dramatic images matter?

6. Who does the author criticize in paragraph J?

a. citizen journalists
b. government leaders
c. Big Brother
d. people who alter photos

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6. Read Paragraph K- L, and answer following questions.

7. When referring to visual language, what does the author mean by as with any language,
there will be those who produce poetry and those who make shopping lists (paragraph K)?
a. lt will be most useful for shopping and for writing beautiful poetry.
b. lt will be better because it can be used for a variety of things.
c. Visual language has certain limitations compared to written language.
d. Some people will use it for everyday things, and others for more creative things.

8. What is the possible effect of the flowering of image-making on the public?

Part IV Summarizing:

Part V: After Reading Speaking Exercise

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Section 2 Exam Practice

A. Finish the following practice:

B. Check the Transcript for any question that you are not certain with.

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R1 Question 1
(a) How will the class travel to their destination?
(b) What are the students going to do on their trip?
V1: female (in her 40s)
V2: male teenager
V1: *Have you got everything for tomorrow’s trip to Edinburgh?
V2: Yes, Mum. Don’t worry.
V1: What time do you need to set off in the morning?
V2: Around 7 – I think.
V1: Are you walking to school?
V2: Well, I’m going to take the bus to meet up with Martin. Everybody needs to be at
the station by 8.15 because our art teacher, Mrs Achal, has to check that we’ve all
turned up. We’re catching the 8.30 direct train to Edinburgh.
V1: Oh, are you going to the castle there?
V2: We did that last time and also did a lot of walking. This time we’ve got to take
photos. Mrs Achal is thinking of putting together a display for the parents’ evening. **

R1 Question 2
(a) Which part of the country will have the wettest weather
today?
(b) When will the weather become more settled?
V1: female, 50s
V1: *As you can see from the satellite images, the south east is the most affected by
the strong winds we’ve been experiencing since Sunday. These will be accompanied
by some heavy showers. The north will see some brighter spells during the day, with
temperatures reaching double figures in the afternoon. On Wednesday, the west
coast will enjoy much more stable conditions as warm weather arrives, which will be
with us for the rest of the week. Looking ahead, from Monday onwards, things are set
to change. **

R1 Question 3
(a) What does the girl like best about the new sports centre?
(b) How much will the boy have to pay for his monthly
membership fee?
V1: teen female
V2: teen male
V1: *Have you been to the new sports centre yet?
V2: No, have you?
V1: Yes, I went swimming there last night and watched the sunset through their huge
glass windows. It was so relaxing, though nothing beats their diving pool.
V2: I’ve also heard that they’re offering boxing classes.

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V1: Yes – I think they’re very popular.
V2: Are you a member? Is it expensive?
V1: I pay £2.50 each time I go swimming, but I’m not a member. I know there are
different options if you want to join. It’s £48.50 per month, but as you’re a student,
you’re eligible for a discount, which brings it down to £ 21.50.
V2: Hmm, I thought it’d be around £60. **

R1 Question 4
(a) What will the prize be for the winner of the fashion show?
(b) Where can students get essential information about the next
fashion show?
V1: male, early 40s
V1: *Following the success of last year’s end-of-year fashion show, which helped our
students with their university applications to study Fashion and Design, we’ve now
decided to make it an annual event. This year, the winner will be offered work
experience with a local business owner involved in the fashion industry. We’d like
you to experiment with turning something old into something new. For example,
recycling an item of clothing to make something trendy that you’d be happy to wear.
The school library has some photos from last year’s event, but if you’d like to enter,
go to the school website for the application form and the rules. **