International Students NZ

Today’s picture: My colleague Cathy planting a tree at Massey University, Albany, June 5th 2009

Part 1: Today's word

When you acknowledge something, it means you are completely open about it, with no attempt to hide or ignore it – especially when you show that you accept the existence or importance of a person, thing or idea. So, for example, if you acknowledge that there is a problem, you let people know that you accept there is a problem. If you acknowledge the receipt of a letter, it means that you show or tell people that you have received it – nowadays, many email servers send this acknowledgement automatically. In academic writing, it’s important to acknowledge your sources by referencing them appropriately. And if someone has helped you in writing a long report or thesis, you can include their name in the acknowledgements section at the front, which is a kind of ‘thank-you’.

Click here for interactive exercises on academic vocabulary and writing.

Part 2: Test

Here are FOUR sentences with the word of the day. But only THREE are correct. Which is the Odd One Out?

Ferdinand de Saussure is generally acknowledged as the founder of modern linguistics.

Frankly, I opted for qualitative research mainly because I didn’t acknowledge statistics at the time.

Please accept this small gift as an acknowledgement of our appreciation for your hard work over many years.

It is important to acknowledge the inherent limitations of surveys as a research tool.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

Which researchers or writers are acknowledged as the founding figures in other disciplines, such as management and sociology?

What weaknesses or limitations would you acknowledge in your study skills?

Part 4: The Idiomatic Five

give sb a bell
phone
I’ll give you a bell later and let you know if I’m coming or not.

not take a blind bit of notice
totally ignore
She doesn’t take a blind bit of notice what I say to her. She always goes her own way.

turn a blind eye (to something)
not enforce a rule
We’re not supposed to have food in the office, but the boss turns a blind eye to it if he knows we’re busy.

blow-by-blow
detailed
She gave me a blow-by-blow account of her marriage break-up. It was pretty astonishing.

to be above board
legal and proper
The practice may seem a little unethical, but let me assure you, it’s totally above board.

Part 5: Kiwi Quiz Question

Today, June 5th is Arbor Day in New Zealand. What do people do on Arbor Day?

Part 6: Today's online listening:

This is an interview with a leading New Zealand ecologist, Matt McGlone. He talks about the relationship between biodiversity and climate change.

Vocabulary for the article:

ecosystem
biodiversity
consensus
flora
fauna

Questions for the article:

1) Which of these is an aspect of climate change that could have a negative impact on vulnerable species?

biodiversity
changes in tissues
changes in seasons

2) Why does Matt McGlone think the tuatara should be able to adapt to warmer temperatures?

it has begun laying deeper eggs
it can eat warmer vegetation
it has done so before
it is well-managed on offshore islands

3) It is hard to know how the rock wren could adapt because ..

they cannot be observed directly
they are nocturnal birds
there is a lack of historical records
they have many predators

4) Why do most scientists think the tree lines in the New Zealand study haven’t changed as much as expected as a result of global warming?

winters have been too cold to sustain summer growth
global warming is subject to seasonal variations
there is no relationship between global warming and tree lines
New Zealand tree lines are more resistant to climate change than in other countries

5) Which of these is NOT one of the other threats to biodiversity in New Zealand mentioned by Matt McGlone?

imported garden plants
leisure activities
diseases
non-native animals

6) What is Matt McGlone’s overall view about the most appropriate policy on climate change and biodiversity in New Zealand?

A clear and separate policy is needed on the impacts of climate change on biodiversity
There is an urgent need for extra funding into the effects of climate change
A focus on climate change should be integrated into existing policy
Scientists need to acknowledge the relatively minor impact of climate change in this area

7) What does Matt McGlone believe is the most appropriate metaphor for understanding biodiversity?

a mechanism
a watch
a game
a book of rules

Today’s musical suggestion: from the USA
it may be winter outside but in my heart it’s spring by Love Unlimited
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