Module 3

Study Methods: University Equalizers

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1

Dos and don’ts 75

Grammar Focus: The Imperative Mood 78

Grammar Focus: Should 79

Section 2

Study Habits 84

Grammar Focus: Frequency Adverbs and Expressions of 85

Frequency

Grammar Focus: First Conditional 89

BTW: Modality 90

A logic deduction puzzle 91

Section 3

Fiction Time: Harrison Bergeron 92

Section 4

An Introduction to Academic Literacy: The Abstract 95

Speak your mind 98

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1 Before you watch. Make predictions. Look at some scenes of the video and answer.

1. 2.

3. 4.

1. Who do you think the characters are?

2. What situation do you expect to see in the video?

2 Watch to check your predictions. Watch the video to check your ideas on exercise 1.
Were you right or wrong?

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3 Watch for details. Watch the video again and choose the correct options. True or false?

1. The students had a month to complete the assignment. T F

2. The professor suggested doing it the night before the due date1. T F
3. The student started working on the assignment right that night. T F
4. He could complete the task without any problem. T F
5. Finally, he thought that it was better to start working on the assignment earlier. T F
6. The moral is that you shouldn’t wait until the last day to do a task. T F
1
due date: deadline.

4 After you watch. Talking time.

-Do you feel identified with the student in the previous video? Why (not)?

-Are you an organized person or a procrastinator?

5 Let’s take a quiz to see… Vocabulary. Read and mark with a tick the expressions
that apply to you. Then, calculate your score and read the results.

When you have an exam, or you need to meet a deadline of an assignment, do you...

a.do things ahead of time?…… b. leave things until the last minute? ……

c. get started immediately? …… d. put off doing something? ……

e. tend to get distracted f. use your time wisely and

and waste your time easily? ……. get things done? …….

g. write to-do lists and h. prefer to multitask? …….

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 prioritize tasks? …….

How to score:

Give 3 points for questions a, c, f, g and 1 point for questions b, d, e, h.

Is your score between 10 and 12? Congratulations. You are extremely organized but try to be tolerant with people who are not
as organized as you are.

Is your score between 7 and 9? That’s okay. You are organized in some aspects, but less in others. Are you happy with the
result?

Is your score between 4 and 6? Well, you are a chronic procrastinator! Sometimes it’s good to be spontaneous, but you
definitely need to be more organized!

Do you agree with the result?

6 What would you probably say to a friend in each situation? Read and choose one option.

Your friend says… You say…

a. Organize your time and plan your days in
1. I find it difficult to finish a piece of work advance.
within the expected time. b. Take some time to re-read your work for
any errors or omissions.

a. Don’t go out with friends. It’s a waste of

2. I don’t want to do the assignment. I’m tired time.
and have low motivation. b. Take a break. Don’t be so hard on yourself
about the timing of a task. Reschedule and
get back on track later.

a. Make to-do lists and take action. They help

in your productivity.
3. I usually check my e-mails, watch videos, surf
b. Eliminate distractions. Identify your
blogs and forums instead of doing my work.
browser bookmarks that take up a lot of your
time and put them into a separate folder that
is less accessible.

a. Reward yourself for every step that allows

4. I face my work only when it’s unavoidable. I you to make progress.
always leave things until the latest possible time. b. Create a detailed timeline with specific
daily goals, they help you to keep motivated.

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 a. Re-clarify your goals. Take some time to
think what you want and what you are
5. I know I should be working but I don’t feel currently doing.
like doing anything.
b. Don’t lose your time and focus your
attention on small tasks.

Now, look at the sentences on the right column.

What do they have in common?

*GRAMMAR FOCUS*

The imperative mood

-It reflects the speaker’s perspective. We use the imperative in many different ways, for
example, to give instructions and orders, to make suggestions and requests, and to give
warnings or advice.

-It has the same form as the infinitive without to and it is directed to the unnamed subject
“you”. Example:

Organize your time.

Re-clarify your goals.

Make to-do lists.

-We make the negative imperative with don’t/do not + infinitive. Examples:

Don’t lose your time.

Don’t go out with friends.

7 Procrastinating is a bad habit that prevents us from achieving greater goals. Research
indicates that 50% of student population procrastinate in a problematic manner. In pairs,
imagine that you are the authors of a blog which gives tips to university students to avoid
procrastinating. Write down dos and don’ts.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………......................................................

............................................................................................................…………………………………………………

Many students talk about their academic life on social media and get feedback from others
who are in a similar situation or just want to give them a piece of advice. Read what Carl
says and the comments posted. Which of the three pieces of advice do you agree with?
Why?

Comments

Graham
You should try to find a comfortable and quiet
place to study. It helps you to gain concentration.

Tracey
You shouldn’t waste your time if the exams are
near. You should try to find a motivation. It is
useful when you need to start studying.

1,500 likes Nick

Carl I’m having problems with my studies You should organize your time and design a study
at university. I have difficulty in getting plan. It’s very important to know the time you have
down to study and I can’t concentrate to study and the contents you must study.
on anything at the moment.

How do Graham, Tracey and Nick introduce their pieces of

advice?

What difference/s do you notice with the imperative form?

*GRAMMAR FOCUS*

SHOULD

We use SHOULD / SHOULDN’T + verb (infinitive without TO) to give somebody advice or to
say what we think is the right thing to do.

You should revise the contents before the exam.

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You shouldn’t drink coffee when you study during the night.

You can also use: I think you should… or I don’t think you should… (NOT: I think you
shouldn’t…)

8 What should these people do? Read the messages posted and give them a short piece
of advice. You can use should / shouldn’t or the imperative form.

2,550 likes 1,800 likes

Max I’m falling behind my studies because Jane There are many students in my class
I often skip class to visit my best friend who are better than I am so I find it
who lives alone and is unemployed. difficult to keep up with them.

You You

……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………

1,550 likes 2,770 likes

Simon I spend most of my time using social Rachel I’m not good at writing assignments
media instead of hitting the books. I don’t I usually put off doing them; as a
know how to figure it out. consequence, I hand in my tasks late.

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 You You

……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………

9 Complete the definitions with the vocabulary from the box.

meet a deadline – do things ahead of time – tend to get distracted – get started – put off doing
something – multitask – use your time wisely – get things done – waste your time – prioritize tasks –
leave things until the last minute

1. ……………………………………………….: not pay attention to the things you are supposed

to be doing.
2. ……………………………………………….: delay (a job/a task).

3. ……………………………………………….: spend time doing things that aren’t important.

4. ……………………………………………….: arrange tasks in order of their importance.

5. ……………………………………………….: do lots of different tasks at the same time.

6. ……………………………………………….: complete tasks.

7. ……………………………………………….: do tasks just before the time they need to be done.

8. ……………………………………………….: do things in advance.

9. ……………………………………………….: be careful with your time.

10. …………………………………………..: begin a job or a task.

11. ………………………………………….: finish something at the time it is meant to be

finished.

10 Put the words in order.

1. advance – time – your – Organize – days – in
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Remove – to – your – distractions – focus – studies – on

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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3. completion – Make – towards – progress – gradual

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. your – take – think – You – some – about – should – to – time – studies

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. a – planned – Students – continue – as – should – problem – after

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. subjects – the – Give – all – attention – your

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. unimportant – time – doing – waste – don’t – things – your

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

11 Choose the correct piece of advice for New University Students.

A - Don’t ignore or deny your personal and academic problems
B - Break your large tasks down into manageable subtasks
C- Take responsibility for yourself
D- Try to understand
E- Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today

1. ………………………………………………………….…. You need to attempt to fully

comprehend what you need to know and be able to do as a result of your education.

2. …………………………………………………………... Work should come before pleasure.

Manage your time effectively; set aside adequate time for homework, study, sleep, etc. You
need not always finish every task all at once. Remember, you can write at 365-page book
every year if you only write one page per day.

3. …………………………………………………………. Large jobs rarely can be completed at one

setting. Work on small parts of a large task each day. Remember the fable of the tortoise
and the hare; slow and steady is often better.

4. ………………………………….…………………….. A small problem can get much worse. If you

do not try to solve them. Get help when you need it. Speak to your course instructors, your
advisor, or your classmates.

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5.………………………………….……………………….. When some students begin college life
their sense of personal responsibility seems to disappear. Parents or guardians are no longer
making certain that everything is done correctly or on time. That work is now the responsibility
of the student.

12 As you are attending English level I, can you give future students pieces of advice about
what to do to pass the first mid-term? Write them down and share your ideas with the
class.

1- …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………

2- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Log in for more practice.

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1 Work in pairs. Which applies to you? Choose yes or no. Discuss them with your partner

and then be ready to talk about you in class.

In the class… Outside the class…

Yes/No Yes/No
I always take down notes. I prefer a quiet place to study.

It´s difficult for me to follow I organize my time and design

the class because I talk a lot! a study planner.

I can’t focus on my reading. I am usually short of self-control.

I often use my mobile phone while I can’t find an effective

the professor is speaking. study technique.

Any other good/bad habit? Any other good/bad habit?

1. Do you consider yourself an effective learner? Why (not)?

2. Do you know different study techniques? Which one(s)? Describe it / them.

3. Do you think the study techniques are great equalizers?

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 How does a person show the frequency of an activity?

Look for examples in the notebook.

*GRAMMAR FOCUS*

Frequency adverbs
We use frequency adverbs to indicate the frequency of an action. Take a look at these
examples:

I/You/We/They always accept diversity.

I/You/We/They never discriminate (= don’t anyone.

discriminate)

He/She sometimes talks about his/her study habits in the

classroom.

The Welfare often has personal interviews with

Department (It) students.

Now take a look at the triangle below where the symbol + indicates the highest frequency
and the symbol – the lowest frequency:

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When we use the verb be, the frequency adverb comes after it. When we use any other
verb, the adverb comes before it. Take a look at these examples:
- UNLaM’s professors and lecturers are always attentive to their students’ needs in class.
- The students always have opportunities to work together in the classroom.

Expressions of frequency

There are other expressions that we can use to talk about frequency. These expressions are
longer (2 words or more) and always come at the end of a sentence.

…?

For example: I study in the library twice a week. I attend lessons at university every two days.

2 Use the information below to write true sentences about you and a classmate. To know
about him/her ask him/her questions using How often do you…?

always – usually – often – sometimes – seldom – never – every day – once a

I – My classmate
week – every … days – twice a week – every morning/afternoon/evening

stereotype people – use the mobile phone in class – be critical of my / his /her peers’ differences – meet
my / his / her classmates in the canteen – take down notes – be helpful with my / his / her classmates –
study in the library – use a study technique – pay attention to the professor in class

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3 Read the different study techniques A-D and complete the blanks 1-4 with the correct
one.
A- THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE C- THE SQ3R TECHNIQUE
B- THE RETRIEVAL TECHNIQUE D- THE SPACED TECHNIQUE

Getting something done on time can be

extremely satisfying. However, it can sometimes be
hard to get things done when you have trouble
managing your time or feeling overwhelmed by the …………………………………………………….. is a reading
amount of work you have to do. In that case, it may comprehension technique that helps students
be helpful to use a study technique to help you get identify important facts and retain information within
started and manage your time more efficiently. Here their textbook. The acronym stands for the five steps
you have information about four study methods. of the reading comprehension process. Try these
steps for a more efficient and effective study session:
Survey: start by reviewing the assigned text in order
1. …………………………………………………….. is based
to gain an initial understanding of it by paying
on the concept of remembering at a later time. attention to its most obvious elements, such as
Recalling an answer to a question improves learning headings, bolded text, etc. Question:
more than looking for the answer in your textbook. Formulate questions around the chapter’s content,
How does it work? 1st: Use practice tests or questions such as, What is this chapter about? What do I
to quiz yourself, without looking at your book or already know about this subject? Read: Begin reading
notes. 2nd: create questions you think would be on a the full chapter and look for answers to the questions
you formulated. Recite: After reading a section,
test and trade them with other classmates. 3rd:
summarize in your own words what you just read. Try
Create flashcards with the answers. If you practice recalling and identifying major points and answering
retrieval, you will remember the information later on. any questions from the second step. Review: When
you finish the chapter, it’s important to review the
2. …………………………………………………….. material to fully understand it. Quiz yourself on the
encourages students to study over a longer period of questions you created and re-read any portions you
time instead of cramming the night before. When our need to.
brains almost forget something, they work harder to
……………………………………………….. is a popular time-
recall that information. To try this technique, review management method invented by Italian Francesco
your material in spaced intervals similar to this Cirillo. The technique is popular, perhaps because it’s
schedule: Day 1: Learn the material in class, Day 2: portable and easy to learn. 1st: Pick one project or
Revisit and review, Day 3: Revisit and review, After task you want to focus on. 2nd: Set a timer for 25-30
one week: Revisit and review, After two weeks: minutes and get to work. 3rd: When the buzzer
sounds, take a two-to-three-minute break. 4th:
Revisit and review. It’s important to start planning
Repeat after four sessions, take a longer break. 5th:
early at the beginning of the course. If your exams are Record each session with a tick or X in your notebook.
months away, this will help you hold yourself This Technique will be useful if you get distracted
accountable. while working on a project or want to understand

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how long a task takes. It’s ideal for many types of Remember! If you organize your time, you will have
work including writing, coding, design, and study. better academic results.

Source: Adapted from https://www.usa.edu/blog/study-techniques/

4 Complete the summaries with the words given, there is an extra one. Then, join the ideas
with the appropriate study technique.

TIME - STEPS - INTERVALS – BREAKS - QUESTIONS - TASK

This technique encourages students to engage with • THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE

the material in an active way. They use
…………………………… to study the information and
remember it later on.

Students take …………………………. after short periods • THE RETRIEVAL TECHNIQUE

of study time. This helps them to stay focused on
the ……………………….. and prevents them from
getting distracted.

Students organize their time in ……………………………… • THE SQ3R TECHNIQUE

to revise the material. It is a helpful technique to
start planning from the beginning of the term.

Students work with a text following five different • THE SPACED TECHNIQUE
………………………… to understand and remember it.
This technique shows the students a simple way to
increase their understanding of a text.

5 Answer:
1. Do you use any of the previous techniques?
2. Would you like to try any of them? Why? Why not?
3. Complete this idea:
If I use the Pomodoro technique, it will help me to…………………………………………….

Analyze the last sentence.

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 Is it about a past situation or a future one?

What tense is the verb after If? What form

is the other verb?

*GRAMMAR FOCUS*

First conditional

-To make suppositions about the future, the first type conditional can be used. Example:

If you organize your time, you’ll have better academic results.

IF clause Main clause
cause possible consequence

We use the present simple in the IF clause to talk about a possible situation, and the simple
future (WILL / WON’T + INFINITIVE) in the main clause to mention its possible consequence.
The IF clause can come first or second. If the IF clause comes first, we usually put a comma
before the next clause as it is shown in the previous example. If it comes second, we omit the
comma.
You’ll have better academic results If you organize your time.
Main clause IF clause

Look for more examples in the previous text!! Write them down here:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6 Complete the following conditional sentences type 1.

1. If you are not an organized student, ……………………………….………….…………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. If you are short of study time, ………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Students will improve their performance if………………………………………………………

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 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. A fresher will know how to prepare for an exam if …………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7 Put the words in order. Then, complete with the missing clause.

1. If – , – has – study technique – student – a – a

If a student has a study technique,………...……………..…………….………………..………

2. If – academic performance – have – ‘ll – a – I – good

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. study planner – I – , – If – design – a

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. class – I – distracted – in – get – If – ,

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. my – fall – I – classmates – ‘ll – if – behind

……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………

6. If – student – , – a – a – to – to – quiet – doesn’t –

get down – study – have – place

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

By the way …

MODALITY
Modal verbs are used to communicate a personal attitude towards the message. They

are always the first word in a verb group and are written before the subject in questions.

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 They do not normally indicate the time when something happens. This is a list of more

modal verbs and their primary meanings.

CAN: ability MAY: possibility WOULD: hypothetical situation

8 Extract sentences with modal verbs from the text about study techniques. Let’s take a look at other
modal verbs. Remember those worked in Module 1.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9 Let’s have fun with a logic deduction puzzle!

Read the clues to discover what study problem each student has and what study
technique they have chosen to deal with it.

CLUES: 1. Adam’s and Linda’s study techniques are the Spaced technique and the
Pomodoro technique, not necessarily in that order.
2.The student who uses the SQ3R technique is a procrastinator.
3. Dominic isn’t organized with his subject material.
4. Adam doesn’t need motivation.
5. The student who has bad academic results didn’t choose the Pomodoro technique.

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 Log in for more practice.

1 Revise part 2 and put the events in the correct order.

With law breakers, society would return to its previous competitive ways.

Another noise interrupted George’s thoughts, now he was thinking of his son.

When a noise interrupted their conversation, they stopped talking.

The dancers weren’t very good because they had been handicapped for the
audience.

The couple were watching a dance on TV.

1

As George was reflecting on the dancers, a noise interrupted his thoughts.

Hazel suggested George taking weights out of his handicap bag.

Hazel would like to be a Handicapper General because she knew what

“normality” and “equality” were.

Why did Hazel hate the old competitive

ways of society?

2 Read Part 3 of the story “Harrison Bergeron”.

On TV, an announcer with a speech impediment tried to read a news report. He couldn’t overcome
his impediment, so he gave it to a ballerina to read. Hazel praised him for working with his God-given
abilities and said he should get a better salary simply for trying so hard. The ballerina began reading
in her natural, beautiful voice, then apologized and switched to an awful voice. The news report said
that Harrison had escaped from prison.

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A photo of Harrison appeared on the screen. He was wearing the handicaps to reduce his strength,
intelligence, and good looks. The photo showed that he was seven feet tall and covered in 300 pounds
of metal. He was wearing huge earphones, not a small radio, and big glasses to blind him and give
him headaches. He was also wearing a red rubber nose and black caps over his teeth. His eyebrows
were shaved off.

3 Vocabulary. Label the picture with the words from the box.

a red rubber nose – black caps – big glasses – 300 pounds of metal – huge earphones – shaved eyebrows

1……………………………………………………

2…………………………………………... 3……………………………….

4…………………………………

5……………………………………

6……………………

………………………

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4 Answer.

1. Why couldn’t the announcer read the news report?

2. What happened when the ballerina started to read?

3. What type of handicaps did Harrison have? Why?

5 Watch the video and circle where the information appears.

1. The ballet is interrupted for important breaking news. text video

2. Hazel wanted to continue watching the National Ballet. text video

3. The announcer had a speech impediment. text video

4. A ballerina read the announcement. text video

5. Hazel goes to the kitchen to do the washing-up. text video

6. The new announcer was wearing handicaps. text video

7. The news report said that Harrison had escaped from prison. text video

8. The announcer mentioned the reasons for Harrison’s arrest. text video

9. There appeared a photo of Harrison on the screen. text video

10. The announcer said that Harrison was extremely dangerous. text video

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 Log in for more practice.

1 Let’s remember… circle the correct option.

a. According to Santos (1996), research abstracts are usually written following an inner

pattern which is always / usually / never the same.

b. That inner pattern is organized into what Santos called stages / moments / moves.

c. Every move of the abstract accomplishes a general / specific purpose.

d. The usual order of moves is background - aim - method - conclusion – results /

background – method – aim – results – conclusion / background – aim – method –

results – conclusion.

e. All / Not all the moves appear in abstracts and their order can / can’t vary.

f. There is / isn’t a connection between the moves and the number of sentences in each

one of them.

2 Focus on the title of the abstracts below and anticipate their content.

3 Read and identify the moves that appear in them. Then, highlight the sentences in each

move.

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Source: Published Online January 2012 in SciRes (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/psych)

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 Source: https://www.herdsa.org.au/system/files/Nneji.pdf

4 What are the differences between them? Explain.

5 Explain these studies to the class in Spanish.

Log in for more practice.

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 SPEAK YOUR MIND

TIP TO IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING

When we give opinions about something, it’s a
good idea to vary the phrases that we use to
introduce those opinions. In that way, we
avoid repetitions and improve our vocabulary.
Have a go!

More Expressions to show agreement and disagreement with your peer’s opinions.

Useful words to express your agreement:

That’s right. I think the same.

It’s right. I couldn’t agree more.

Useful words to express your disagreement:

I don't agree with (you/etc.) I’m afraid that is not quite true.

I take a different view. I don’t agree with what you say.

Choose one of the following ideas and give your opinion. Be ready to agree or disagree with
a fellow student.

1. If you are an organized person with your studies, you will get better academic results.
2. Having a study technique is useless.
3. Students at university are almost always helpful to disabled people.
4. At university, there is no difference between a procrastinator and an organized
student.
5. Students don’t always accept age diversity in the classroom because they prefer to
work with peers of their generation.
6. Students get easily distracted using social media in class.
7. Having a quiet and comfortable place to study is essential to get down to do it.
8. I consider myself a procrastinator.
9. Study techniques are great equalizers at university.

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 10. Students always appreciate diversity of opinions, so they usually express their thoughts
and ideas freely in class.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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