What I like about technology / Lo que me gusta de la tecnologa

In this third learning activity of English Dot Works 3, you will learn about describing
objects and feelings, how to ask questions and to make comparisons. / En esta
tercera actividad de aprendizaje de English Dot Works 3 aprender sobre describir
objetos y emociones, cmo hacer preguntas y comparaciones.

Introductory material / Material introductorio

Dear learner, / Estimado aprendiz:
This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 3. / Este
material le permitir estudiar los temas relacionados con la actividad de aprendizaje
3.
You will learn about: / Los temas a tratar son:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Describing objects and feelings. / Descripcin de objetos y emociones.

Technological devices. / Aparatos tecnolgicos.
Asking questions. / Hacer preguntas.
Comparative forms. / Formas comparativas.

Lets begin! / Empecemos!

1. Describing objects and feelings / Descripcin de objetos y emociones
Nicole read a great book last week and she wants to share her opinion about it on
her blog. Read Nicoles blog. / Nicole ley un gran libro la semana pasada y quiere
compartir su opinin acerca de l en su blog. Lala.

Fuente: SENA

When Nicole describes the book she uses verbs ending in ing and when she
describes the qualities of a leader she uses verbs ending in ed. Nicole knows how to
change verbs into adjectives. There are adjectives ending in ing and ed. / Cuando
Nicole describe el libro usa verbos terminados en ing y cuando describe las

cualidades de un lder usa verbos terminados en ed. Nicole sabe cmo convertir los
verbos en adjetivos. Existen adjetivos terminados en ing y ed.
Adjectives ending in ing describe characteristics about something or someone and
they are used after the verb be. The chart below has some examples of this kind of
adjective. / Los adjetivos terminados en ing describen caractersticas de algo o
alguien y son usados despus del verbo ser o estar. La tabla de abajo contiene
algunos ejemplos sobre este tipo de adjetivos.
English / Ingls
Mary is an interesting girl.
Romeo and Juliet is an exciting love
story.
The movie was boring so I went home
early.

Spanish / Espaol
Mary es una chica interesante.
Romeo y Julieta es una emocionante
historia de amor.
La pelcula estaba aburrida entonces fui
a la casa temprano.

Adjectives ending in ed describe feelings or emotions and they are used after the
verbs to be or to feel. Here are some examples of this kind of adjective in the
following chart. / Los adjetivos terminados en ed describen sentimientos o emociones
y son usados despus de los verbos ser, estar o sentir. En la siguiente tabla
encontramos algunos ejemplos de esta clase de adjetivos.
English / Ingls
The news makes me feel depressed.
She was amazed when her team won.
I am annoyed because of this cold
weather.

Spanish / Espaol
Las noticias me hacen sentir
deprimido.
Ella estaba asombrada cuando su
equipo gan.
Estoy molesto por este clima fro.

2. Technological devices / Aparatos tecnolgicos

John is reading an article about technology. Pay attention to the definitions about
gadgets. / John est leyendo un artculo sobre tecnologa. Preste atencin a las
definiciones sobre los artefactos.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

3. Asking questions / Hacer preguntas

Read the conversation between Nicole and Johana. Pay attention to the questions. /
Lea la conversacin entre Nicole y Johana. Preste atencin a las preguntas.

Hi!

Hi! How are you?

Im fine. I read a wonderful book last week.

Thats great! What kind of book is it?

Its a philosophy book. Its very

interesting.

How much did it cost?

$ 10 dollars.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

In English you can ask questions based on WH-questions. Using what add a noun.
Look at the examples in the chart. / En ingls usted puede hacer preguntas basado
en los interrogativos Wh. Usando what aada un sustantivo, mire los ejemplos en la
tabla.

Question Word / Interrogativo

Usage / Utilizacin

What kind

Ask about description. /

Preguntar acerca de la
descripcin.

What time

Ask about time. /

Preguntar acerca del
tiempo.

Example / Ejemplo
What kind of music
do you like? I like
salsa music. / Qu
clase de msica le
gusta? Me gusta la
salsa.
What time do you
get up? At six
oclock. / A qu
hora se levanta? A
las seis en punto.

When you ask questions about specific information using how, add an adjective or an
adverb. Look at the examples below. / Cuando usted hace preguntas sobre
informacin especfica usando how, agregue un adjetivo o un adverbio. Vea los
ejemplos a continuacin.
Question Word /
Interrogativo
How many

How much

How long

Usage / Utilizacin

Example / Ejemplo

Ask about quantity

(countable). / Preguntar
acerca de cantidad
(contable).
Ask about price, amount
(uncountable). /
Preguntar acerca de
precio, cantidad (no
contable).
Ask about length (time or
space). / Preguntar
acerca de duracin
(tiempo o espacio).

How many books are

there? There are ten. /
Cuntos libros hay?
Hay diez libros.
How much does your
new cell phone cost? $
200. / Cunto cuesta su
nuevo telfono celular? $
200.
How long did you stay
there? For two days. /
Cunto tiempo se
hosped all? Dos das.
How often do you go to
the gym? Twice a week. /
Qu tan a menudo va al
gimnasio? Dos veces a
la semana.
How far is your house? It
is one kilometer away. /
Qu tan lejos est su

How often

Ask about frequency. /

Preguntar acerca de
frecuencia.

How far

Ask about distance. /

Preguntar acerca de
distancia.

How fast

Ask about speed. /

Preguntar acerca de
velocidad.

How old

Ask about age. /

Preguntar acerca de la
edad.

casa? Est a un
kilmetro de distancia.
How fast can you run?
Im very slow. / Qu tan
rpido puede usted
correr? Soy muy lento.
How old are you? I'm 16
years old. / Qu edad
tiene? Tengo 16 aos.

4. Comparative forms / Formas comparativas

Johana went to the department store and found two excellent televisions. She wants
to buy a new one but she does not know which one is better. She wrote an e-mail to
John asking for advice. Read the comparisons in his answer. / Johana fue a un
almacn y encontr dos excelentes televisores, ella quiere comprar un televisor
nuevo pero no sabe cul es mejor. Ella le escribi un e-mail a John pidindole su
consejo, lea las comparaciones que hace John sobre los dos televisores en su
respuesta.

Fuente: SENA

We can make comparisons using comparative forms. The following chart has
conjunctions and examples in context. / Podemos hacer comparaciones usando
formas comparativas. La siguiente tabla tiene las conjunciones y ejemplos en
contexto.

Comparative form / Forma

comparativa

Comparative form as as / Forma

comparativa tan Como

Comparative forms not as as and

less than / Formas comparativas
no tan como y menos Que

Conjunction /
Conjuncin

Example / Ejemplo

As as / Tan
Como.

Richard is as fast as
John. / Richard es
tan rpido como
John.

Not as as / No tan
Como.
Less than / Menos
Que.

My house is not as
big as yours. / Mi
casa no es tan
grande como la
suya.

Richard is less
interested in
technology than
John. / Richard est
menos interesado
en tecnologa que
John.

Contextualization / Contextualizacin
Read to the conversation between Richard and John. / Lea la conversacin entre
Richard y John.

Whats
up? John.

Im so bored. I
want to go to
Digital LPQ.

Hi!
Richard.

Thats a great
idea! I love
technology.

I know. Lets
go check out
new gadgets.

Look! I like
this new MP3
player.

Yes. You are

a geek.

Are you kidding

me? A new MP3
player?

Yes. Why
not?

But a smartphone is
not as cheap as an
MP3 player.

Well, I think an
MP3 player is
not as useful as
a smartphone.

Thats right.
However, a
smartphone has
more functions
than an MP3
player.

Tell me more
about it.

With a smartphone you can

download music directly
from any online application
which is easier than
downloading music to your
desktop then transfering the
files to the MP3 player.

That means an
MP3 player is not
as multipurpose as
I thought it was.

Richard, what
about a tablet? Is
it less useful than
a laptop?

Thats
right!

A tablet is as good
as a smartphone.
Although a laptop is
more advanced
than a tablet.

Hmmmm, Im not
going to buy
anything today
after all. I have to
think about these
comparisons.

Neither, am I.
Lets go for ice
-cream.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

Comprehension / Comprensin
A. Read the conversation again. Select true or false about the statements. / Lea la
conversacin nuevamente. Seleccione falso o verdadero acerca de las oraciones.
Statements
John likes technology.
An MP3 player is as useful as a smartphone.
A smartphone is not as cheap as an MP3 player.
A smartphone has more functions than an MP3
player.
Downloading music to an MP3 player is easier than
downloading music to a smartphone.
An MP3 player is not as multipurpose as a
smartphone.
A tablet is more useful than a laptop.
A tablet is not as good as a smartphone.
A laptop is less advanced than a tablet.
Richard bought an MP3 player.

True

False

B. Complete the sentences with comparative forms from the box. / Complete las
oraciones con formas comparativas de la caja.
not as multipurpose as / not as cheap as / more advanced than / easier than /
as good as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A smartphone is ____________an MP3 player.

An MP3 player is ____________a smartphone.
A tablet is ____________a smartphone.
A laptop is ___________a tablet.
Download music to a smartphone is ____________download music to an MP3
player.

Practice 1 / Prctica 1
A. Read and complete the sentences according to the feelings shown in the images.
Make adjectives ending in ed from each of the verbs in the box. One is done for
you. / Lea y complete las frases de acuerdo a las emociones representadas en
las imgenes haciendo adjetivos terminados en ed con cada uno de los verbos
de la caja. Uno est hecho como ejemplo.
frighten / annoy / tire / bore / excite / depress

Example / Ejemplo:

They feel
He feels depressed.

She feels

He feels

They fell

He fells

Fuente de imgenes: Fotolia (s.f.)

B. Complete the sentences according to the given situations making adjectives

ending in ing from each of the verbs in the box. / Complete las frases de acuerdo
a las situaciones dadas haciendo adjetivos terminados en ing con los verbos de
la caja.
annoy / depress / excite / frighten / exhaust / interest

Example / Ejemplo:
I feel very bored. The class was not interesting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I feel very tired. The journey was _______________.

I feel very scared. The movie was _______________.
I feel very happy. The concert was _______________.
I feel very sad. The book was _______________.
I feel very upset. The activity was _______________.

C. Match the words from the right with the images in the left. / Relacione las palabras
que se encuentran en el lado derecho con las imgenes de la izquierda.

a. Headphones

b. MP3

c. Laptop

d. Printer

e. Cell phone

f. Pen drive

g. GPS

h. External hard drive

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

D. Match the words from the table to the definitions. / Empareje las palabras de la

tabla con las definiciones.

Headphones

Remote control

Laptop

a. You can operate different devices

such as TV sets, air conditioners
and toys from a short distance.
b. You can listen to music using
them. Its a good option when you
dont want to annoy other people
with too much noise.
c. It is a data processing machine. It
is not portable. Most people have
one of this at home.

Cell phone
d. You use it when you want to play
video games.

Pen drive

Desktop

Game console

e. It is a portable communication
device; you can use it to make
calls, play games, check your
email or listen to your favorite
music.
f. It is a portable device people use
to store information. Its very
convenient because you can have
important information with you at
all times.
g. It is a portable computer. Its quite
practical for people who don`t

work at home.
E. Match the questions to the answers. To solve this exercise, it is recommended to
search online or any other source in order to answer correctly. / Relacione las
respuestas con las preguntas. Para solucionar este ejercicio, se recomienda
realizar una bsqueda previa en internet o cualquier otro medio para as
contestar correctamente.
How far is the Moon from the Earth?
How much noise can human ears take?
How fast can a cheetah run?

a. 23 hours.
b. 238.840 miles.
c. 27 days.

How much water does the human body

have?

d. 85 decibels.

How long does a flight from Australia to

Colombia take?

e. 385 km/h.

How many countries are in the world?

How far is the Sun from the Earth?

How fast can a hawk fly?
How long does a travel of the Moon around
the Earth take?
How many planets are in our solar system?

f. 149.675.000 kg.

g. 70%.

h. 109 km/h.

i.

196.

j. 8.

Practice 2 / Prctica 2
A. Drag the comparison form as as from the box to complete the sentences. /
Arrastre la forma de comparacin as as de la caja para completar las frases.
as long as / as dangerous as / as poisonous as / as modern as / as populous
as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A white shark is not ___________a lion.

A snake is not ___________ a jellyfish.
New York is not___________ Tokyo.
India is not___________China.
Nile river is not___________ Amazon river.

B. Complete the sentences according to the given images. / Complete las frases de
acuerdo a las imgenes dadas.

_______
is not as
tall
as______,
but he is
shorter
than
______.

Andrew

Daniel

Martin

______ is
not as fat
as
______,
but she is
not fatter
than
______.
Laura

A ______
is not as
big as a
retriever
dog, but a
______ is
not as big
as a
______.

Beagle
dog

Mary

Anne

Retriever dog

St. Bernard dog

Caroline

John

______ is
not as
happy as
______,
but she is
happier
than
______.
Steven

A ______
is not as
fast as
______,
but a
______ is
faster
than a
panther.

Horse

Panther

Cheetah

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

C. Read the sentences and look at the pictures. Select true or false about the
statements. / Lea las frases y observe las imgenes. Seleccione falso o
verdadero acerca de las oraciones.
Statements
The animal
in column A
is as small
as the one
in column B.

The animal
on column B
is not as big
as the one
in column A.

Column A

Column B

True

False

The animal
on column B
is as small
as the one
in column A.

The animal
on column A
is not as big
as the one
in column B.

The animal
on column A
is not as
strong as
the one in
column B.

Fuente de imgenes: SENA

D. Complete the sentences according to the given information in the chart. /

Complete las frases de acuerdo a la informacin dada en la tabla.

Definition
Strength
Weight

Iron
Iron is the fourth most
common element in the
crust.
Pure iron is weaker
compared to steel.
Heavier compared to

Steel
Steel is an alloy made
by combining iron and
other elements.
Stronger compared to
iron.
Lighter compared to

steel.

Uses

Roads, railways,
construction, cooking
utensils and
appliances.

iron.
Roads, railways, other
infrastructure,
appliances, buildings,
transportation and
aerospace.

Example: steel is less common than iron. / Ejemplo: el acero es menos comn que el
hierro.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

______ is less heavy than ______.

______ is less weak than ______.
______ is less light than ______.
______ is less strong than ______.
______ is less used than ______.

Pronunciation practice / Prctica de pronunciacin

Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the study
material. There you will find the corresponding sound files. / Nota: esta prctica debe
ser completada usando la versin multimedia del material de estudio. All encontrar
los archivos de audio correspondientes.
A. Simple past regular verbs ending in -ed in affirmative sentences can be
pronounced in three different ways. Lets have a look: / Los verbos regulares en
pasado simple que terminan en -ed pueden ser pronunciados de tres maneras
diferentes. Observemos:

ed = /d/
Arrived
as in
She arrived late.

ed = /t/
Worked
as in
I worked until
late.

ed = /d/
Waited
as in
You waited for long time.

Now, listen to the following groups of verbs carefully and try to identify the
pronunciation pattern they follow. / Escuche los siguientes grupos de verbos y trate
de identificar el patrn de pronunciacin que siguen.
Group 1 / Grupo 1
Verb (basic form) /
Verbo (forma bsica)

Verb ending sound /

Sonido final del
verbo

Laugh.

/f/

Laughed.

Look.

/k/

Looked.

Pop.

/p/

Popped.

Kiss.

/s/

Kissed.

Froth.

//

Frothed.

Brush.

/ /

Brushed.

Touch.

/t /

Touched.

Past pronunciation /
Pronunciacion en pasado

/t/

Group 2 / Grupo 2
Rob.
Breath.
Live.
Beg.
Roll.
Blame.
Ban.

/b/
//
/v/
//
/l/
/m/
/n/

Robbed.
Breathed.
Lived.
eed.
Rolled.
Blamed.
Banned.

an.

//

aned.

Fear.

/r/

Feared.

/d/

/d/

Aged.

Visit.

/t/

Visited.

Add.

/d/

Added.

Age.
Group 3 / Grupo 3

/d/

As you may have noticed, the past tense form of the regular verbs has three different
pronunciations. The election between them falls in the last sound of the word, as you
will see now: / Como usted pudo haber notado, la forma pasada de los verbos
regulares tiene tres pronunciaciones diferentes. La eleccin entre estas yace en el
ltimo sonido de la palabra, como ver a continuacin:
1. Verbs ending in voiceless sounds cause the -ed ending to be pronounced as the
voiceless /t/. / Los verbos que finalizan en sonidos sonoros causan que la
partcula -ed se pronuncie con la consonante sorda /t/.
Voiceless sounds (as the ones in group 1): / Sonidos sordos (como los que se
encuentran en el grupo 1):

/p/ /k/ // /f/ /s/ / / /t /

/t/
2. Verbs ending in voiced sounds cause the -ed ending to be pronounced as the
voiced /d/. / Los verbos que finalizan en sonidos sonoros causan que la partcula ed se pronuncie con la consonante sorda /d/.
Voiced sounds (as the ones in group 2): / Sonidos sonoros (como los que se
encuentran en el grupo 2):

/b/ /g/ // /v/ /z/ // /d/ /m/ /n/ // /r/ /l/

/d/
3. Verbs ending in the sounds /t/ or /d/ (as the ones in group 3) will cause the -ed
ending of a verb to be pronounced as the syllable /d/. Los verbos que finalicen en
los sonidos /t/ o /d/ (como los que se encuentran en el grupo 3) causarn que la
partcula -ed se pronuncie como la slaba /d/.

/t/ /d/

/d/
Now, classify the words on the following list according to the pronunciation of the
ending -ed you hear. / Ahora, clasifique las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con la
pronunciacin de la terminacin del -ed que escuche.

Whispered.
Typed.
Dried.
Yawned.
Painted.
Helped.
Cleaned.
Hated.
Knocked.
Laughed.
Exported.
Showed.
Pressed.

Performed.
Relaxed.
Encouraged.
Smoked.
Stayed.
Baked.
Scolded.
Stopped.
Invented.
Measured.
Finished.
Expanded.
Shopped.
Used.
Danced.
Walked.
Afforded.
Attended.
Advised.
Collected.
Filled.
Pronounced.
Defended.
Jailed.
Demanded.
Dropped.
Jumped.
Damaged.
Belonged.
Worried.
Brushed.
Faxed.
Flooded.
Snowed.
Crashed.
Graduated.
Believed.
Hunted.
Covered.
Enjoyed.

Hoped.
Landed.
Played.
Mixed.
Reported.
Remembered.
Cracked.
Respected.
Explored.
Rested.
Slammed.
Skated.
Dressed.
Escaped.

/d/

/t/

/d/

B. Listen to the following words. Pay attention to the pronunciation of the underlined
consonant in each word. Then, say them aloud. Try to imitate the consonants
sounds you hear. / Escuche las siguientes palabras. Preste atencin a la
consonante subrayada en cada palabra. Luego, diga las palabras en voz alta
tratando de imitar los sonidos consonnticos escuchados.

September.
Stone.

Choose.
Close.

Now, classify the words on the following list according to the consonant sound you
hear. / Ahora, clasifique las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con el sonido de
consonante que escuche.

Passport.
Dessert.
Used.
Reservation.
Sick.
Bruise.
Salmon.
Visa.
Soup.
Disease.
Sunburn.

C. Listen to the following words. Pay attention to the stressed syllable. / Escuche las
siguientes palabras. Preste atencin a la ubicacin de la slaba acentuada.

Cell phone.
Precious.

Advanced.
Annoyed.

Dangerous.
Poisonous.

Committed.
Important.

Fascinated.
Kilometer.

Now, classify the words on the list according to their stress pattern. / Ahora, clasifique
las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con su patrn acentual.

Discipline.
Convinced.
Populated.
Smartphone.
Exciting.
Expensive.
Inspired.
Interesting.
Wonderful.

D. Listen to the pronunciation of the following sentences. Then, say them aloud. Try
to imitate the intonation pattern used. / Escuche la pronunciacin de las siguientes
oraciones. Luego, dgalas en voz alta tratando de imitar el patrn de entonacin
usado.

What kind of music do you like?

How long did you stay there?

How far is your house?

How fast can you run?
Richard is as fast as John.
My house is not as big as yours.
Richard is less interested in technology than John.
How much does your new cell phone cost?
How many books are there?
How often do you go to the gym?
A smartphone is not as cheap as an MP3 player.
You are a geek.

References / Referencias

Fotolia. (s.f.). Bored panel of judges or interviewers. Consultado el 24 de

septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/48599601

Fotolia. (s.f.). Brothers watching scary TV. Consultado el 24 de septiembre de

2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/70168358

Fotolia. (s.f.). Depressed asian man sitting in the chair. Consultado el 24 de

septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/69730311

Fotolia. (s.f.). Handsome man outdoors portrait with a retro vintage instagram.
Consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/67788513

Fotolia. (s.f.). Portrait of angry man screaming isolated. Consultado el 24 de

septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/58044311

Fotolia. (s.f.). Tired young woman cathing her breath after a long run. Consultado
el 24 de septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/69874707

Document control / Control del documento

Name

Author

Johana Mndez
Sarmiento

Position

Dependence

Date

Direccin de
Theme expert
formacin
Asesor English Dot
September
profesional.
Works - Programa
2014
Direccin General
de bilingismo

Centro
Rachman
Copy editor Lnea
Agroindustrial.
de produccin
Adaptation Bustillo Martnez
Regional Quindo

October
2014