Best Times 21

Best Times

21

Best Times

21 Magaz ine o f

Learner Writ ing

Not only has Spring, but also this issue, has sprung with contributions from levels A1– to C2+ and students from our schools in Gorizia, Monfalcone and Trieste. There are thought provoking essays on a variety of topics, early memories, descriptions of those dear, reviews of adver-tisements, songs and films, some imaginative narratives, and various descriptions and super artwork in the Kid’s Corner. New this issue is my attempt to leave the writings as close to their original form as possible, thus allowing you and teachers to use this document as a learning resource for discussion and development in and out of the classroom. As always your feedback on any aspect of this issue is welcomed. Melissa Wing, [email protected]

From the Editor

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He is a very expan-sive person, how-ever, he alternates between periods in which he is very lively to periods in which he is very quiet. He has a quiz-zical, sociable and playful character. He is sensitive, so if you don’t give him any attention he gets of-fended. Nevertheless, some-times he enjoys do-ing something wrong just to spite. At times it happens mo-ments in which he is a little rebellious if

he can’t have what he wants.

(Continued on page 4)

I have been keen on reading for as long as I can remember. My first memory of reading by myself traces back to when I was three years old, and I was listening to my older brother, who was six at the time and was trying to learn how to read and count. From that day on, I used to sit next him, paying attention to him reading and teaching myself how to do it. In quite a little time I was able to read short sto-ries to my nursery school’s friends. I don’t remember if I used to do it by actually read-ing properly or by act-ing like I was reading,


Someone I know well

My First Memory of Reading

Essays 1-3

People 4

Memories 5

Fiction 6

Reviews 7

Exam Models 8-9

Kids Corner 12-16

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

In this fast ever grow-ing world, marked by globalization and technological im-provement, one of the most interesting is-sues under debate is international under-standing. But what are we really talking about? A number of different definitions can be given. For some, in-ternational under-standing involves dip-lomatic and strategic relationships among countries, focusing on conflicts and eco-nomic topics. Others concentrate on com-munication issues in a global society and di-rect their attention to the necessity of de-veloping a common


Improving International Understanding

youth, wishing to return to those “good, old days”. While there is no doubt that the posi-tive experiences were plenty, and worth the bragging, it is also undoubtedly true that it could not all have been rainbows and unicorns. In nine cases out of ten, having the possibility of turning back time and reliving that period would shatter the halo of semi-gloriousness which surrounds the memory. However, this very fact is the beauty of se-lective memory. Very few people would pre-fer to dwell on bad experiences, rather than bask in the pleasurable ones. Along these lines, it is funny to observe how the more time passes, the more epic some memories become. Especially if the story is related several times, what was initially a pretty ordinary event is transformed to reaching biblical proportions: details are in-vented, reactions exaggerated and facts modified. In conclusion, being able to have an objec-tive and down-to-earth account of a past event is quite an endeavor, but as it is, the narrative might prove much more pleasant and entertaining than the event itself.

Silvia D’Arrigo, C2

The human brain is an amazing organ; it can store thousands and thousands of memories and experiences, both with our conscious and unconscious knowledge. However, as time passes, those memories cannot con-stantly occupy pride of place, being bright and ready at the forefront of the mind, but become progressively dulled, to be replaced by other, fresher ones. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that, when recalling the past, the events are altered. We do prefer to view the past through rose-coloured spectacles. Research has been conducted to support this theory, but, as good as it is to have scientific and statistical proof, the very fact is easily verifiable in the cosiness of home. Different people will have different recollections of the same event, depending on what has struck them the most, both visually and emotion-ally. It is the average tendency to bring to mind mostly positive aspects of an event or a period, skipping over the less than glamor-ous ones. The most common example is that of older people looking with nostalgia at their

Changing Views Of The Past

BEST TIMES 21

Ten Years’ Time

career and eventually find the career of my life. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the one for which I studied or be excessively well-paid, but one that could give me satis-faction and that I can be proud of. After having studied languages for many years I’d like to live aboard and discover new places, people and cultures. Having a dif-

ferent point of view of the world we’re living in is essential. Obviously, although being abroad, my family as well as friends will al-ways be the priorities of my life. I don’t want to become one of those who deletes their past in order to build a new future alone. In building my new life I’d like to be with a special person. I’d like to find some-one who really loves me and will follow me everywhere whatever happens. Clearly I’d do the same for that person because I’m firmly convinced that for love we can leave the safe path of our existence to discover a new one by knowing that in doing it we aren’t alone. To conclude, family, friends and love will surely be my future targets.

Nicoletta Pinesich, C2

Wondering about what I will be doing in the next ten years is strange. The future is unknown moreover unpredictable, thus even if we try to plan it, to define it or to keep it under control, it’s impossible to what effectively will happen. Even talking about goals and achievements is challenging because we change in the course of time and with us our thoughts and beliefs. Thinking about my future has always pre-sented a big contradiction due to the fact that is fascinates and frightens me at the same time. At present it’s impossible to have a clear picture of me doing certain in the next ten years. Nevertheless, giving myself goals could lead to something valu-able coming true. All in all, there aren’t any particular goals I want to fulfill, but better situations and states of mind. To begin with, I’d love to finish my student

THE BRITISH SC HOOL OF FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA

The Greatest Pleasures life. Most of all they are always open to a constructive confrontation that is extremely useful for me because it permits me to look at thing from a different point of view. I’m glad to say that we have a close relation-ship. The second and last thing that gives me pleasure in life is to study at university “law and civics”, which is the subject I adore the most. I’ve wanted to study it since the first year of high school and my parents have always given me full support. Studying and enjoying it makes it easier for me to achieve future goals. I don’t believe that money makes happi-ness, one surely needs it to live but one must also consider other things. I can’t complain about anything because I enjoy my studies, I get along with my parents and we are all in good health. I almost for-got….I’ve recently met a girl who has now become my girlfriend! What else can I say!

Piergiovanni Cravera, C2.2

In the society we live in today I believe that people take pleasures in trifles. Today peo-ple require material needs to obtain satis-faction such as having a nice car, a house for the vacation, the ultimate mobile phone. Others require high-class standards of liv-ing to be happy such as going to the year’s popular holiday destination, sending their children to VIP schools, spending time in the coolest clubs or eating in “5 star” res-taurants according to Michelin’s “cuisine guidebook”. Only a few people realize that the simple things in life are more impor-tant. Moreover such things give you the greatest pleasures. I’ve only got two as-pects in my life that permit me to achieve happiness. In the first place I adore my family. I’m really happy because I get along very well with both of my parents; they really love me and, since I was born, have always guided me in the right direction by trans-mitting to me values that are essential for

The Value of Money on I have always in my mind the idea that a coin saved is a coin earned. Even today I think I am more similar to an ant than a cricket. I prefer "conscious shopping" rather then "compulsive spend-ing". Nevertheless, I cannot deny that money has surely an important role in my life, but I am not addicted to money. I pay attention to the price of products and special offers and try to buy things of good quality, not necessarily brand-name goods. Money cannot buy happiness, health, friends, but it can help you live better. It was in-vented to be a medium of exchange and you have to use for what it is, a useful tool. Like a screwdriver when you have to tighten a screw! Always bear in mind that money is not the most important thing in life. There is also gold and diamonds! Yours faithfully,

Fabiana Sodnik, C2

Dear Readers, Do you remember when you were a child and your parents gave you your weekly pocket money? And how happy you were when you got these coins? I had already planned in advance how to spend them, or better, how to invest them: some candies, my favourite comic book, some stickers, ice-creams and lemon slush in the summer, nails to fix my secret wooden hut properly. As I could write and count, I had a sort of cash flow chart where I listed all my expen-ditures. I think I should have become a bookkeeper instead of a freight forwarder! My parents had explained it to me clearly. I would receive from them a certain amount of money weekly with which I would have to satisfy my small earthly wishes. I could earn a few odd coins more by helping my mother with the household chores. But mainly I had to face my vices with my pocket money. I took it as a challenge. And I hate to lose. So I learnt the value of money and from then

tion. All of my life I have been trying hard to do my best and I thank him every day for all he taught me. I have also de-cided to wear suit and tie from now on. It is practical rather than fashionable because you do not have to think what clothes to wear in the morning, just match tie and socks. Suits last for many years so it is money saving and moreover people tend to consider you a better man, I do not know why, but it works.

Alessandro Vega, C2

BEST TIMES 21

In My Grandfather’s Footsteps I was twenty and I was a soldier. One day when I was lifting a heavy green rucksack I felt a terrible pain in my back. I could not stand up properly and my back was a piece of wood. I was sent into the army hospital the day after and I stayed there for ten days without receiving any effective medical care at all. One morning, as I was hobbling to and fro outside my hospital room I saw a man in a pinstriped suit walking towards me. It was my grandfather. What a surprise I thought. I had spoke with him over the phone the day before and he had told me that he would come in two days time but now he was there. He carried a brownish-red leather bag in one hand and a black umbrella in the other. I waddled towards him and to say hello but he just waved at me without a word and rushed to the lieutenant's office. There was a bunch of soldiers waiting outside the office but no one argued with him for jump-ing the long queue. He knocked on the door twice, opened it and entered with no hesita-tion. After twenty minutes the lieutenant and my grandfather got out of the office and came to my bed side where I was laying. I was discharged from hospital the same day and went back home. On our way back home he told me that the lieutenant was a reason-able and good man. My grandfather was a good and honest man too. Before leaving the hospital I told my comrades that my grandfather was a retired officer in order to justify my sudden depar-ture but he wasn't. He started to work at twelve and spent all his life in a shipyard, studying hard at night school at the same time. He worked a lot abroad and got in touch with many people around the world during his life. I guess he had a lot of friends. Maybe he worked for CIA or KGB but he never told me anything about it and of course if I knew his secret then he could not be a secret agent or a spy whatsoever. I think he was just self confident, educated, firm when necessary and gentle all the time. I lived with him over my teens and learnt a lot from him. He really made me a grown man or so I believe. He was a doer rather than a talkative man, a practical man who would cope with bad situations and problems rather than brooding over issues. I remember him with deep love and affec-

It might be interesting to follow in the foot-steps of Arthur Dent, a protagonist of Doug-las Adam’s science fiction series, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”. The only surviving hu-man, surrounded by alien companions and thrown into on absurd situation after another, he still remains himself, aloof and curious, grudgingly acceptant and ironic. Following in his footsteps would mean con-tinuing to explore outer space, while trying to

find an “ultimate question for life, the universe and every-thing” that does not imply the fundamental wrongness of the universe itself. No less impor-tant, it would mean learning never to misplace my towel.

Silvia D’Arrigo, C2

In the footsteps of Arthur Dent

If he is in trouble he calls for assistance from others, yet he loves being independ-ent when he can be. He is wily, smart, cu-rious and nosy, so, if he has something in his hands that he’s interested in, he ana-lyzes every aspect of it. He is warm and joyful. He is Tommaso, my son of twenty months. Stefano Ciano, B2

(Continued from page 1)

Someone I know well

Who’s Afraid of the Dark?

I discovered that the noise was coming from the radia-tor, but I was so frightened that I couldn't move. I was convinced there was a mon-ster in my bedroom! A mon-ster!?! Did that monster eat children? I had no idea! So I plucked up courage quickly ran to my mother, I woke her up and told her desper-ately about the big evil mon-ster. My mother patiently took me to my bedroom, switched on the lights and,.... well, some water was dripping from the radia-tor.

Anastasia Devide, C1

As a child I was very proud of sleeping by myself. I know, it isn't such a great thing, but I wasn't afraid of the dark and I refused to wake up my parents just be-cause I'd had a nightmare. However, I remember one night, probably the scariest night of my childhood, when I went to bed as usual, after having read some fairy-tales. I had just closed my eyes, when I heard a noise. It was something between a sword-stroke, the fall of a water drop and something grinding a piece of metal. ...”Clang”...”Clang”...

ans captured me. Unfortu-nately the day before those In-dians had watched a film on TV where the Indians had tied their enemy to the to-tem and so they did the same things to me. They tied me to a tree and went back to assault the fort. Dif-ferent from the film these Indians forgot of their pris-oner at the launch time leav-ing me there for a few hours until the Seventh Cavalry, my mother, set me free.

Pietro Cristaudo, B2

When I was a child, during the Summer, I used to play with my friends the game the Indian versus the Sev-enth Cavalry. Our old West was along the city’s river and the banks were the wall of Fort Apache. We built the bows ourselves with some branches and wire, for rifles we had pea shooters and the bullets were small blue ber-ries. When they hit some-body, they left a blue stain on their clothes. One day I was a soldier of the glorious Seventh Cavalry and while I was patrolling the wall of the fort two Indi-

Toys and Games

When I was a student they used to send us to work in the fields. We would begin our summer se-mester with working in the “kolhos” for one or two month. It was normal to help the farmer gather their prod-uct. Usually we would gather potatoes or carrots. But some times we used to work in the field with cabbages. It was more interesting. You had to cut the bottom of the cab-bage with a huge knife with one strong cut and then throw the cabbage in a truck. Considering the weight of cabbage, about 2-3 kg, and the height of the truck, it was hard work. During this month we were living in awful condi-tions without heating or warm water. I remember one year when the temperature went below zero in the night and we found the camp with pota-toes under ice. We didn’t get money for this work. But we used to spend our evening all together singing student songs and drinking a bit of vodka.

Irina Rashevskaja, B2

A Student’s life

When I was a teenager on Sundays I used to go to the stadium if the local team played at home. Due to the stadium being quite far from my home, I used to catch 2 buses in order to reach it and often I arrived just in time to view the starting free kick. Often I was with my friend and we enjoyed the time spent there, we sang together with the other fans. I remember that after the match I had to catch the return bus that was very crowded so in the spring and summer months breathing was very difficult. Tiziano Bonano, B2

Sundays


She couldn’t see very well what was around her, but she stood up and began to walk. A strange silence reigned, nothing moved. Suddenly she real-ized that the silence around her was not the kind you can felt when you were alone at home, because even in that situation you could still note the far-off sounds of passing cars. This silence was extremely weird, as if nothing could break it. She started to feel scared and chills were running all over her body. Then she remem-bered she had a voice, so she de-cided she would shout to see what would happen. But just as she opened her mouth, the voice that came out wasn’t hers. “Emma, what’s the matter?” a voice yelled. Emma immediately opened her eyes to find herself in her classroom sur-rounded by her classmates who were staring at her awkwardly. “Did you just fall asleep,” her teacher asked with concern. Emma was still feeling the shock of her experience; had she been dream-ing, she wondered. And that creepy silence, where had she dragged that up from? Finally Emma found her voice. “No, I was … just thinking.” Her teacher seemed satisfied and the lesson went on.

Maria Chiara Brenni, B2.2

BEST TIMES 21

Emily could not believe what she saw in front of her. Just a minute before she had been walking upon the street, reading her favorite book. And it started raining. A shadow dragged beside her. Emily had a goose flesh. “What, what's that!?” screamed Emily, throwing her book into the shadow, which vibrated quietly. “Go away, what do you want? Help! Help!” shouted Emily. The shadow was climbing her nude leg. Emily was in a panic. The shadow was damp and slimy. The girl tried to pull the dark spot from her leg. But it was impos-sible only to touch the strange thing. It was exactly like a normal shadow, but it wasn't, Emily was sure that it was alive. “G-go away, please!” Emily was crying. Or maybe it was just the rain in her eyes. The black, liquid thing was eating her body. Emily was feeling a stupid tickling everywhere. She was paralyzed. The shadow was covering her blue eyes. She kept the last breath one second before the jelly shadow enveloped her head. She closed her eyes and then she tried to move her neck, her legs and her arms. But she couldn't. After a few minutes Emily felt really hot and she couldn't breathe, she tried to open her eyes and she found she was in her bedroom, rolled in her blanket, all wet with perspiration and under her nose there was her book, her favorite one.

Marina Cecovini Amigoni, B2.2

It was alive A Silence

but I do remember that I used to go home every single day and say, “Oh, what hard work they say I’ve done today!” My family would kindly laugh at this, but only now do I understand their reason for doing so. I’ve read many books since then, and I enjoy spending entire days at home just reading, mak-ing myself fly in time or through places I probably never visit. I just love being alone, enjoying the silence and the concentration required to read. It’s so refined and peaceful.

Marco Malusà, C1.1


My First Memory of Reading

A film I personally think ought not to be neglected in a series of reviews about the funniest films of all times is a 1930’s short film called, “The Music Box,” featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. In a typical post-great depres-sion setting, the two main characters have just founded their own privately-run delivery company whose only asset is a horse-drawn cart. The first task they are hired for is to take a very heavy and bulky music box to a lady’s house as a surprise for her husband. Once at the location, they discover to their not-so-well-concealed dismay, that the delivery address matches that of a villa situated at the top of an incredibly long and steep stairway. As they start their ascent after a series of gags involv-ing numerous attempts to unload the box from the cart, Laurel and Hardy cross swords with a young lady and then with a very posh gentleman, who happen to be


The Music Box The first is an advertisement for Mer-cedes and you discover the product only at the end because they want you to per-ceive a precise concept and associate it to the car: In particular it communicates that the car not only has an esthetic im-pact, but also a brain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?fea-ture=player_detailpage&v=GHX2mvFVQMs The second advertise-ment is about a low fat tuna, but I had to pause the video to understand well what the ad was about, so I think it s not so effective and I per-sonally didn't like it. Apart from my personal opinion it could be an advertisement simple to remember as it is very weird. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1U71SqJ3vM&feature=player_detailpage Then there is the ad about a particular brand of cheese. Here they want to com-municate the strength of cheese (in terms of taste I suppose). I didn't like it but I think that this is a publicity that everyone would remember, so they have probably achieved their aim. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tCtM8UEQv8&feature=player_detailpage The last ad I think lacks of effectiveness as it's not clear the correspondence be-tween a gorilla that plays battery and chocolate, even if the claim is about the joy which you should feel eating it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?fea-ture=player_detailpage&v=TnzFRV1LwIo

Elisa Juresich, C2.1

Effective Ads?

What is most impressive for me in the song, “Someone like you” by Adele is the relation between the timbre of the Adele's voice, deep and hoarse, and its content. It was impossible to describe better the feeling of melancholy caused by a love af-fair broken but still alive in the heart of one of the protagonists. She wasn't ready to give up and has been thinking of him up to now. However, she is aware of the fact that he loves another woman and is really moving her serenity in accepting the situation and the wish of finding “someone like him”.

Teresa Trevisan, C1

Someone Like You


Dear Stephanie, I'm well. I hope you are well too. You asked me about Elisa and now I'm going to tell you about her. She is as old as me (21) and she is from the same city as me: Spilimbergo. She is studying foreign languages in Trieste but at the same time she is working: she babysits for a family. I know her quite well (we have been friends since we were children) and I can as-sure you that she is a sensible and reliable person. I made some journeys with her and I could always trust her; she is very practical and organized. I think you will get along with her because she's friendly and unselfish. She loves studying foreign languages and also visiting new places; indeed she is used to travelling. She likes listening to music (her favourite band is “The Tokio Ho-tel”). Shopping is an activity which relaxes her very much so she doesn't lose an oc-casion to do it. The only negative thing is that she spends a lot of time getting ready in the morn-ing; although, she is aware of her slowness so I'm sure you could manage to deal with this. I hope that you will get on well with her and that she will confirm what I have said. Love,

Sara Bear, B1.2

BEST TIMES 21

It’s a great article and great project. We all pass the some people every day, but they remain strangers. We know at what time they go out, we know which bus they catch, we know at what time they go back home, but we don’t know their names nor what they do. It is weird that it’s easier to start talking to a perfect stranger than to an intimate stranger.

Cristina Melchiori , C1

Opinion

Claudia Stephania Christelle & renting

Dear Claudia, I hope you are well. I’ve just had an email from your friend Christelle. She wants to rent a room in my house this summer. Could you tell me a bit about her (age, personality, etc. and what she likes doing) so that I can see if she would fit in with the family? Please be honest! Send my regards to your family and I hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes, Stephanie

Model B1 Email Imagine you received Stephanie’s email asking about a friend of yours. Write an email to answer it.

SMS. 66% of my classmates send SMS every time, than the other percentage prefer talking than texting. Finally, two classmates switch off the phone at job or when they go to sleep, the other one leaves the phone on be-cause he uses it as alarm clock. With the phone we can do a lot of things, but we can do also some mistakes: we can send text to the wrong person or forget the mobile phone turn off. In conclusion I can say that, in our gen-eration, mobile phones are very impor-tant for everyone.

Sara Bevenuti, B1.2

Mobile Phone Use This report is about a mo-bile phone questionnaire that I did with my class-mates. It aims to inform you how the people use their mobile phone. Firstly, in my class, all the people have a phone, but of different makes. One is Nokia, one Apple and the last one HTC. All the mobile are very recently. The old-est has 6 months. Secondly, apart from talking, it is used for e-mail, surf the net, play, take pho-tos and videos, listen to music or send

Model B2 Report Task: An English language magazine is publishing an issue on “Technology & Youth Culture”. You have been asked to write a report about your classmates’ usage of mobile phones.

day week-end? As you know Ana loves travelling, so it could be a perfect gift for her. About your last question, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to help you with the preparations the day before. As I told your mother, at the moment I’m busy with my job and absolutely must work that day. My boss is really bad tempered. If I could I would help you , of course. But even if it’s a little help, by this letter I can suggest something that would make Ana’s party great or rather the best she’s ever has. How about ‘karaoke’? As you know she loves music and singing and at the party we’ll have a live band. Anyway, keep in touch and give me a buzz if you need something else. Love,

Alessia Melchiorre, B2.1

Hi Peter, I got your letter. Don’t worry yesterday I met Anna and I’m sure she hasn’t got any suspicions about the party. About your questions, I agree that your house is too small: there’s not big enough room to swing a cat! Well, the Majestic Hotel sounds good, but my brother Told me that it is very expen-sive. What do you think about the Ca-pazia Hotel? It is considerably less ex-pensive and far nearer to the centre of town. About the food for the party, I think a birthday cake is necessary. What about a fruitcake? As you know Ana is as nutty as a fruitcake (I’m joking, of course). Then why not finger food? For example, little pizzas or “voi au vents”? Last month I went to a finger food party and, you must believe me, it was really fab! Shall we buy a travel voucher for a holi-

Model B2 Informal Letter Your friend Peter has sent you a letter with suggestions and questions about the surprise birthday party you are planning for your mutual friend Ana. Write him a reply anseriong his questions and giving some suggestions.


BEST TIMES 21

Model C2 Report Task: The local history society you belong to produces a magazine whose purpose is to promote an appreciation of the past and the value of studying history. You have been asked to write a contribution for the magazine. You decide to write a report of a visit you have made to a historical building or site, pointing out how such visits can encourage the study of history.

owner. Now it is the headquarters of the National Trust. My third stop was at the "Donkey Wheel House". How could a building with this name be missed out? From the guide I learnt that this five-level red brick gothic building, now empty and sadly rundown, had been the headquarters of the cable tram system company of Melbourne. Then I moved to the "Victorian Trades Hall", whose imposing façade, featuring eight Corinthian columns, was quite in-dicative of how relevant this building must have been for the community when it was built. It was, as claimed on the front door, the first building in the world to be constructed specifically for trade union business. It was also the birth-place of the Labour Party in Victoria as well as the venue for some of the most important debates in Victoria's social his-tory, which apparently were argued in the currently named "old Council Cham-ber". To conclude my journey I went to the "Melbourne Recital Centre", a 2009 win-ner of architectural awards for among other things its distinctively extravagant honeycomb façade. It is one of the new-est buildings in Melbourne that are not only reshaping the city but also making it an extraordinary blend of past and present. This tour taught me a lot about Mel-bourne's history, and I’m compelled to learn more every time I look pictures taken that day. The most important things was that learning history can be fun.

Stella Bernardi, C2

Melbourne Open House For those struggling to complete any his-tory book or bored to death listening to a history lesson, I'd suggest going for a stroll around their city. Sometimes look-ing at the buildings while walking leads us to wonder about their past and there-fore it brings up the right inquisitive streak to learn a bit of history. This is exactly how I felt the day I went for a walk and visited some Melbournian buildings, which was possible thanks to the "Melbourne Open House" project. The Melbourne Open House is a rela-tively recent initiative supported by the City of Melbourne whose aim is to help people discover a bit more about the place where they live by keeping open to the public several Mel-bournian buildings whose access is gen-erally restricted. That day I started off my journey by vis-iting La Trobe's Cottage which was built in 1839 as the home of Lieutenant Gov-ernor Charles Joseph La Trobe, Victoria's pioneering administrator. This cottage is representative of the single storey pre-fabricated houses designed in that period in London. As so often the case in Aus-tralia, it reflected the first settlers’ ef-forts to recreate a familiarly British am-bience in an antipodean setting. The second building in my itinerary was the "Tasma Terrace". This building was an extraordinary example of a Victorian three-storey house with typical features such as graceful iron lacework, solid bluestone foundations and winding stair-cases. It was built in 1878-79 for George Nipper, a grain merchant and ship

language. In any case, whatever opinion one might have, it is undeniable that in-ternational understanding implies a basi-lar respect for the stranger, the “other”. A respect that can be summed up in a single word: education. In order to make the claim that society must improve international understand-ing through education; a number of different activi-ties are promoted. First of all, a true understanding of other cultures starts at a very early age. Children are naturally eager to discover the numerous aspects of the surrounding world. For this reason, both parents and teachers have the moral duty of helping them to learn, under-stand and accept similarities as well as differences. This implies, of course, that governments must have funds to grant an accessible educational system, build-ing schools, paying teachers and provid-ing books and technological supplies. Another remarkable activity is the or-ganization of exchange programmes be-tween schools. At a time of worldwide communication, these arrangements of-fer students the opportunity to spend a semester or an academic year in another country. This priceless experience gives an important insight into the values of a foreign culture, through the teaching of idiomatic expressions and local tradi-tions. Similar agreements can be set up as well for job placement, encouraging cooperation and common achievement. Last but not least, international under-standing involves also sporting events. A noteworthy example of this is the Olym-pic Games. In a playful atmosphere of mutual collaboration, sport can overcome – at least momentarily cultural differ-ences and social barriers. To sum up meant things can be done to improve international understanding, but the most important and fundamental as-pect is to promote knowledge and re-spect what we don’t immediately under-stand.

Marina Troian, C2


Improving International Understand-ing going down the stairs and

are rather disturbed by finding the two porters in their way. The two main characters are then sternly reprimanded by a police officer for their allegedly im-polite behaviour. After successfully car-rying their load to the top, they realize that nobody is home. Unwilling to follow Laurel’s suggestion to take the music box back to the shop, Hardy spots an open second floor window and decides to use it as a route of entry, thus giving way to more and more hilarious gags. Deeply based on the friendship and ri-valry between the two main characters, with Hardy constantly trying to outwit Laurel but being just as clumsy, this short film definitely stands out in the duo’s repertoire, probably because of its depiction of the two hugely awkward but incredibly determined porters and their rather troublesome interactions with the minor characters who manage, in spite of their appearances being lim-ited to a few cameos, to give a priceless contribution to the storyline, often by being portrayed as caricatures and showing the utmost disrespect towards a deliveryman’s job. The police office, for instance, goes as far as to call them monkeys, kicks an innocent Hardy twice and then beats Laurel with his trun-cheon for getting smart; similarly, a postman first directs the duo up the stairs and, only after they’ve reached the top, indicates access via a gentler-sloped back road, thus prompting them, in possibly the funniest scene of all, to carry the box back down to follow his advice. The priceless value of this short film and, in my opinion, is one more reason for including it in the hall of fame of the funniest films ever produced, is con-firmed by the countless awards it re-ceived, including the 1932 Academy Award for the Best Short Film, and its selection as a culturally significant film by the prestigious Library of Congress.

Marco Sinibaldi, C2


The Music Box


Corner K

ids

Anastazia’s Private Diary 25th January, 2012 It’s my birthday today. I’m 10. This is me at my party.

This is my birthday cake. It’s white. It’s got 10 candles.

I’ve got a new video game, “Professor Laiton”.

This is my party. I’ve got lots of friends.

Look at my 11 birthday cards. Anastazia Giacaz, A1 (P2)

Silvy’s Private Diary 25th January, 2012 It’s the birthday of my sister today. She is 7. This is her at her party. She has got a pink balloon.

This is her birthday cake. It’s blue, yel-low, brown, pink, orange, red and black. It’s got 7 candles.

She has got a new bike. It’s white, orange, green and yellow. It’s great.

This is her party. She’s got lots of friends. Look at

her four birthday cards.

Silvia Calgaro, A1 (P2)

BEST TIMES 21

Giovanni cattaruzza, Mattia Dal Latte, Bruna Fasanro, Federico Fogar, Federico Male, Beatrice Gessi, Giorgia Mior, Joshna Pipolo, Enrico Sossi, Ilaria Sossi, A2 (P4)

My favourite sport is foot-ball. I play football with my school-mates during playtime. Usually I’m the goalkeeper and sometimes I’m a supporter. My sister also plays football and she’s a forward. Some-times we win, sometimes we lose, but we are very happy to play football. Giacomo Turturiello, A1 (P3)

My favourite sport is rid-ing a horse because I’m outdoors. I got o ride a horse on Wednesday and Satur-days. This sport is very expensive. I’m very happy when I gallop and I jump the barriers. The name of my favourite horse is So-pran. Letizia Turturiello, A1 (P3)

I do many sports : foot-ball, volleyball and athlet-ics, but my favourite sport is basketball. I like it be-cause I like to shoot for goals. I play basketball on Mondays and Tuesdays at half past five. I wear blue trainers, a green shirt and black shorts. Valeria Nicoletta Albanese, A1 (P3)

My Favourite Sport

Giving Directions To go to the train station from my home, I exit my home and turn right in Romagna Street. I go straight on and at the end of the street I turn right in Cantù Street. I go straight on, at the third crossing the station is in front of me.

Lorenzo Meroi, A2 (P4)

To go to my school from my home, I go out of my house, turn left and cross the road. Now I can see a bus stop. I walk straight on, turn right in San Michele Street, go straight ahead, turn left in Tigor Street and I am at my school. Clara Rosini, A2 (P4)

The View from My Home From my window I can see a church, my gar-den and a house. On my left there is the house of my friend, Sofia, but I call her Little Sofia. Far away I can see the sea. Linda Leonzini, A2

(P4)

In these days from my window I can see the flower market. There are many colourful flow-ers. They smell good and are very nice. There are also big trees with pink flowers.

Asia Negro, A2 (P4)


BEST TIMES 21

My Reading Books

Groceries & Picnics

Giulia Calgaro, A1(P1)

Alide D

el Savio, A1(P1)

Fio

rilli

, A1(

P1)

Sabbadin, A

1(P1)

Kevin Kaceli, A1(P1)

Gabriele C

apizzi, A1(P1)

Aurora B

oncore, A1(P1)

Baccaro,A1

Denti di Pirajno, A1 (P1)

Parladori, A1 (P1)

Pupin, A1 (P1)

I have got a cat, it's called Kiko. I love cats, horses and gold fish. I have got gold fish but I have-n't got any horses. I don't like dogs be-cause they aren't cat’s friends. I like parrots but they are to noisy. I like to go to the zoo to see other ani-mals. Ludovico Lipizer, A1(P4)

Animals

His name’s Gerry. He is black and white. He has got fins. He lives in the South Pole. He eats fish. He drinks water. He can slip and swim. He likes fish and slipping. He doesn’t like hot water.

Antonio Catiendo, A1 (P3)

A Penguin This is my pet robot. His name is Robothin. He has got a very long red nose. He is blue and pink. He is wearing grey glasses and a green collar. He likes carrots and children. He doesn’t like apples.

Giovanna Di Donato, A1

My Pet

Her name’s Ina. She’s got blue eyes and black and white hair. She lives in Siberia. She eats meat. She drinks water. She can run fast, catch and jump. She likes snow. She doesn’t like water. She is dangerous.

Margherita Emih A1 (P3)

A Siberian Tiger

He has got blue hair, pink eyes, green ears, a yellow nose, a red mouth & a green face.

Alessia Coss,A1(P1)

He has got green hair, blue eyes, dark pink ears, a red nose, a blue mouth & a pink face Letizia Dal Lago,A1(P1)

He has got green hair, blue eyes, green ears, a yellow nose, a pink mouth & an orange face

Silvia Sauro,A1(P1)


Giulia ,A1(P3)

THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF FRIULI -VENEZIA GIULIA

A TORREBIANCA , 18 TRIESTE

Trieste Phone: 040-369-369 Fax: 040-76-000-75

Email: [email protected]

Monfalcone 16, Via Duca d'Aosta Phone: 0481-411-868 Fax: 0481-41-22-28


Udine 4, Vicolo Pulesi

Phone: 0432-50-71-71 Fax: 0432-50-75-46


Gorizia 17, Corsa Italia

Phone: 0481-33-300 Fax: 0481-53-15-18


Ti porta nel mondo che conta

We help our Planet

Water To brush your teeth, close the

water tap. Doing so can save you many gallons per year.

Never leave the taps open! Claire Tonsa, A2 (P4)

Electricity Use low energy light

bulbs Remember to turn off

the lights when you go from room to room

Travel To go to school, use

the bike or walking For long trip you take

the train or bus Remem-ber that cars pollute our planet

Recycling Recycle

everything: paper, newspapers, glass, plastic, aluminum, etc.

You save trees by re-cycling paper

Noemi Tomaselli, A2(P4) Dordevic, A2(P4)

Best Times 21

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Transcript of Best Times 21