Keep calm and carry on!
Let’s look back at 2023.
Duration: 50 minutes.
Today, we’ll explore and some events that unfolded in 2023, impacting various aspects of our world.
Let’s start with some questions and I have given you some examples of answers with translations to help you.
Quick questions about 2023.
| Question | Translation | Answer | Portuguese |
|---|---|---|---|
| What was a highlight or memorable experience for you from the past year? | Qual foi o destaque ou experiência memorável para você no último ano? | One highlight was a trip to Portugal where I explored new cultures and made lasting memories. | Um destaque foi uma viagem a Portugal, onde explorei novas culturas e criei memórias duradouras. |
| In terms of personal growth, what skill or attribute do you feel you developed the most last year? | Em termos de crescimento pessoal, qual habilidade ou atributo você acha que desenvolveu mais no ano passado? | I believe I developed strong communication skills through various group projects and presentations. | Acredito que desenvolvi habilidades de comunicação sólidas por meio de diversos projetos em grupo e apresentações. |
| Can you recall a particular challenge you faced and overcame in the past year? | Você consegue lembrar de algum desafio específico que enfrentou e superou no último ano? | Overcoming a challenging academic project taught me resilience and problem-solving skills. | Superar um desafiador projeto acadêmico me ensinou resiliência e habilidades de resolução de problemas. |
| Were there any subjects or topics that captured your interest last year? | Houve alguma disciplina ou tema que despertou seu interesse no ano passado? | Environmental science captured my interest, leading me to explore related courses and activities. | A ciência ambiental capturou meu interesse, levando-me a explorar cursos e atividades relacionadas. |
| How did your approach to time management and organisation evolve over the course of the past year? | Como sua abordagem à gestão do tempo e organização evoluiu ao longo do último ano? | I became more disciplined with time management, using planners and setting realistic goals. | Tornei-me mais disciplinado na gestão do tempo, utilizando planners e estabelecendo metas realistas. |
| Did you discover any new interests or passions that you didn’t have before the previous year? | Você descobriu novos interesses ou paixões que não tinha antes do ano passado? | Yes, I discovered a passion for photography, dedicating time to learn and capture moments. | Sim, descobri uma paixão pela fotografia, dedicando tempo para aprender e capturar momentos. |
| Reflecting on the past year, is there a specific achievement or accomplishment that stands out for you? | Refletindo sobre o último ano, há alguma conquista ou realização específica que se destaca para você? | Achieving a high-grade distinction in my final project was a significant accomplishment for me. | Alcançar uma distinção de alta nota em meu projeto final foi uma conquista significativa para mim. |
| How did you maintain a work-life balance and overall well-being throughout the year? | Como você manteve o equilíbrio entre trabalho e vida pessoal, assim como o bem-estar geral ao longo do ano? | Balancing work and personal time involved setting boundaries and prioritising self-care activities. | Equilibrar trabalho e tempo pessoal envolveu estabelecer limites e priorizar atividades de autocuidado. |
| Can you share a moment from the past year that made you feel proud or fulfilled? | Você pode compartilhar um momento do último ano que o fez sentir-se orgulhoso ou realizado? | Completing a volunteer project that positively impacted my community filled me with pride and fulfillment. | Concluir um projeto voluntário que impactou positivamente minha comunidade me encheu de orgulho e realização. |
Expressions about ‘goals’:
| Language Chunk | Definition | Example of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Setting goals | The process of defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives. | “In order to achieve success, it is crucial to spend time setting goals that align with your aspirations.” |
| Aspiring to greatness | Expressing a desire to achieve excellence or notable success in a particular area. | “Individuals often find motivation by aspiring to greatness, pushing themselves to surpass their own expectations.” |
| Striving for excellence | The continuous effort to achieve the highest standards of performance or quality. | “Striving for excellence is a mindset that propels individuals to consistently improve and excel in their chosen pursuits.” |
| Goal-oriented mindset | Having a mindset focused on the establishment and achievement of specific objectives. | “A goal-oriented mindset helps individuals stay focused, maintain motivation, and overcome challenges on the path to success.” |
Keywords from the reading text with Definitions:
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Demographic | Relating to the structure of populations, including factors such as age, race, sex, and economic status. |
| Dual-edged | Having two opposing aspects or outcomes; referring to a situation with both positive and negative consequences. |
| Subside | To become less intense, violent, or severe; to diminish or abate. |
| Foreign Policy | A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations, including diplomatic, economic, and military considerations. |
| Nuclear-Powered | Referring to systems or technologies that use nuclear reactions to generate power, such as nuclear-powered submarines in the context of the AUKUS deal. |
| Resurgence | A revival or comeback; the reappearance or renewed interest in something, as seen in the resurgence of vinyl records. |
| Nostalgia | A sentimental longing or affection for the past; a wistful desire to return to or remember a former time, often associated with a fondness for historical artifacts like vinyl records. |
| Exponentially | In a manner characterized by rapid growth, often accelerating over time; experiencing an increase at an increasingly fast rate. |
| Signify | To indicate or represent; to convey meaning or importance. |
| Digital Formats | Electronic or computerized representations of data, typically referring to music or media stored and transmitted in digital form, as opposed to physical formats like vinyl records. |
Let’s look back at 2023.
- India Surpasses China in Population: India achieved a historic milestone by surpassing China as the world’s most populous country.
As of April 2023, India, with approximately 1.4 billion people, overtook China, marking a significant demographic shift. Factors contributing to India’s population growth include high birth rates and declining death rates.
- Technological Advancements: In 2023, technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and robotics witnessed substantial progress. The implications of this progress are dual-edged, with AI potentially replacing jobs but also offering solutions to improve daily life.
- US Banking Crisis: The US faced a banking crisis resulting in the collapse of several regional banks. Influencing factors included the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, and rising interest rates. Although the crisis eventually subsided, it had lasting effects on confidence in the financial system.
- AUKUS Security Alliance: The US, UK, and Australia announced the AUKUS deal, forming a new security alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. Prompted by China’s growing military presence, the deal involves sharing nuclear-powered submarine technologies with Australia and signifies a shift in US foreign policy.
- Vinyl Records Outsell CDs in the US: In a nostalgic resurgence, vinyl records outsold CDs in the US for the first time since 1987. Valued at approximately $1 billion in 2023, the vinyl record industry is experiencing significant growth, offering a unique listening experience that digital formats cannot replicate.
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