Free time is very important for our health. Many people choose to stay active and practice sports to feel good. Hobbies are the best way to unplug from work and study. Let's see what Mary and Donna do...
Mary: What do you do in your free time?
Donna: I practice sports. I play tennis and I do karate.
Mary: Oh karate! I don't like karate, but I like tennis. I think that karate is dangerous.
Donna: I don't agree. Karate is not dangerous. It is a very safe sport.
Mary: I also practice sport. I go to the gym and I do aerobics.
Reading Check: Choose the correct option
1. What sport does Donna play with a ball?
2. Why does Mary dislike karate?
3. Does Donna think karate is dangerous?
2. The Big Three Rules: Play, Go, Do
⚽
PLAY
Ball Sports & Games
• Football
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Golf
• Rugby
• Baseball
• Volleyball
• Hockey
• Badminton
• Chess
🏄
GO
Activities with -ING
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Skating
• Skiing
• Surfing
• Running
• Jogging
• Hiking
• Sailing
• Climbing
🧘
DO
Individual / Martial Arts
• Aerobics
• Karate
• Gymnastics
• Taekwondo
• Yoga
• Judo
• Athletics
• Kung Fu
• Archery
• Exercise
🧠 Visual Mnemonic: The Sports Triangle
⭕
CIRCLE = BALL
Usa **PLAY** con todo lo redondo.
➡️
ARROW = MOTION
Usa **GO** para -ING (movimiento).
💎
DIAMOND = SELF
Usa **DO** para habilidades propias.
💡
Neuro-tip: Esta asociación de formas simples con gramática compleja ayuda a tu hipocampo a recuperar la información instantáneamente cuando lo necesites.
1. Peter siempre football on Tuesdays.
2. My brothers usually cycling at the weekend.
3. Lucy volleyball and tennis at school.
4. People who taekwondo are very disciplined.
3. Reading: Alison's Free Time
Alison is .
She in Blyth, a town in the north of England.
Alison is 25 years old. She is a student. She Spanish and French.
Alison likes sports and travelling. She loves the piano.
She plays the piano on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Thursdays she swimming.
4. Likes & Hates: The -ING Rule
Acción vs Nombre
Cuando expresamos gustos u odios sobre una **acción**, el verbo acompañante debe terminar en **-ING**.
Usa el Scanning para localizar barrios concretos (Malasaña, Poblenou) y sus transformaciones.
Balanza de Argumentos
Distingue entre los impactos negativos (desplazamiento) y positivos (renovación).
Vocabulario de Cambio
Fíjate en verbos de transformación: *shift*, *transition*, *replace*.
Propuestas Finales
Localiza las soluciones realistas al final (subvenciones, protección del comercio).
📚 Study Guide: Key Vocabulary
Listen & Hover
Gentrification
Controversial
Hub
Displacement
Franchise
Renewal
Neglected
Revitalize
Asset
Grants
Reading Analysis
The Double-Edged Sword
Gentrification has become one of the most controversial urban phenomena in 21st-century Spain. It refers to the process where a traditionally working-class neighborhood undergoes a rapid transformation, attracting wealthier residents and private investment. While this creates a profound social crisis for some, it also brings undeniable benefits to the city’s infrastructure.
Causes and Iconic Examples
The main driver of gentrification is the search for "authentic" urban experiences. In cities like Madrid, neighborhoods like Malasaña or Lavapiés have shifted from humble districts to trendy hubs. Similarly, in Barcelona, the Poblenou district has transitioned from an industrial past to a luxury residential area. Another significant factor is "touristification," where short-term holiday rentals make long-term living difficult for locals.
The Conflict: Social Impact vs. Urban Improvement
The impact of this process is complex. On the one hand, the most painful consequence is the displacement of elderly residents and young families who can no longer afford the prices. Small traditional shops are often replaced by expensive franchises, breaking the social fabric of the community.
On the other hand, a balanced view must acknowledge that urban renewal brings significant advantages. In many cases, private investment saves historic buildings from collapsing and turns neglected areas into safe, vibrant spaces. Furthermore, property owners—many of whom are small savers—have the right to renovate their assets. This process often reduces crime rates, improves street lighting, and generates tax revenue that the city can reinvest in public services.
A Positive Path Forward
Despite these challenges, it is possible to revitalize neighborhoods without destroying their soul. Realistic solutions include:
Urban Rehabilitation Grants: Providing financial aid to long-term residents to modernize their homes so they aren't forced to leave due to a lack of resources.
Protecting Local Commerce: Offering tax breaks to traditional "neighborhood shops" to ensure they survive alongside new businesses.
Social Housing Integration: Requiring new developments to include a percentage of affordable units to maintain a diverse population.
In conclusion, gentrification does not have to be a synonym for expulsion. With balanced urban planning that respects both the right to property and the right to a home, we can create modern cities that belong to everyone.
Old soul, new face?
PAGS ENGLISH EXAM
Gentrification Mock Exam
16 preguntas sobre el cambio urbano. ¡Demuestra tu nivel!
1. SUMMARY: How does the text define gentrification?
2. SUMMARY: What is the main driver of gentrification?
3. SUMMARY: What is the conflict described in the text?
4. SUMMARY: What solutions are proposed to keep the "soul" of the neighborhood?
5. Detail: Which neighborhoods are mentioned as examples in Madrid?
6. Synonym: What does "Hub" mean in this context?
7. Detail: What is "touristification"?
8. Detail: What is the "most painful consequence" mentioned?
9. Detail: What is a positive effect of urban renewal?
10. Grammar: "Gentrification has become..." What tense is this?
11. False Friend: "Fabric" in "social fabric" means...
12. Connector: "While this creates a profound social crisis..." What does "While" express?
13. Inference: Why should we offer tax breaks to "neighborhood shops"?
14. Inference: Who are the "small savers" mentioned?
15. Detail: The text suggests gentrification is driven by a search for...
16. Conclusion: Gentrification doesn't have to be a synonym for...
Neighborhood Voices
Track 1: The Local Shopkeeper
Listen to Carlos, a resident of Malasaña for 40 years. (Duration: ~1:30)
Hello, my name is Carlos. I've lived in this street in Malasaña since 1984. Back then, it was a humble working-class area. Honestly, it was sometimes dangerous at night, you had to be careful. Now? It looks beautiful. The facades are painted, the streetlights work, and it's very safe. But there is a bitter-sweet feeling. My neighbor, Maria, who lived above me for thirty years, had to leave last month because her rent doubled overnight. The old bakery is now a 'cupcake boutique' that sells coffee for five euros. The streets are cleaner, yes, but the soul feels... disconnected. I think the new rehabilitation grants are a good idea, but they came too late for many families who already packed their bags.
1. Timeline
Since when has Carlos lived in Malasaña?
2. Past vs Present
How does he describe the past?
3. Neighbor
Why did Maria leave?
4. Change
What happened to the old bakery?
5. Detail
How much is a coffee now?
6. Inference
What does he imply about the grants?
URBAN-CRAFT: Vocabulary Build
SCORE: 0
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