Wonder is a fiction book by R.J. Palacio first published in 2012. This book is categorized under Young-Adult and Contemporary fiction. It is a story of August Pullman (Auggie), a 10-year-old boy, who is born with facial deformities and has gone through 27 surgeries which weren’t able to correct his face. All this prevented him from going to mainstream school so his mother home schooled him. Now he starting the 5th grade in Breecher’s prep school and just wants to be treated like a normal kid without being stared too much. But maybe he wasn’t ordinary at all.

Book tells the story of August and people around him. It is about his journey of the first year in the school. Where he gets bullied a lot, other kids in school get scared of his face and make fun of him. The book begins with the perspective of Auggie, switches to his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. It shows all those different perspectives/stories which revolve around August. I firs heard about this book from our School librarian . In fact I thought higher of this book, but it wasn’t as good as I expected. To be honest the book almost hasn’t got a plot because of its construction it tells about the same period of time from different perspectives. This book wasn’t the one that could thrill me. But I spent 3 evenings reading this book, and if you asked if I regret or not, I think I’d say no.

Wonder Book Cover

12.10.2020

Page 4. Elements of a story.
1. hero – the man or woman in the story we identify with.
plot – the storyline.
dialogue – what the people in the story say.
characters – the people in the story
ending – how the story finishes
opening – how the story starts
villain – a bad man or woman
setting – the place where the story happens
2. So what do you need to write a successful story? Well to start you need a good plot – without a great story you’ve got no chance. Of course any good story needs a selection of different characters, a hero for the reader to identify with and a villain to hate. And to help bring all these people alive you’ll need to have a good dialogue between them. What they and how they say it is so important. Then you’ll need a setting for your story. Where and when does the action happen? Is it the modern day, in the past or even in the future?
So now you’ve got all that, it’s time to start writing. The opening is essential. You’ll need to get your reader’s attention from the very beginning. And once you’ve got their attention hopefully they’ll read right through so you’ll need to give them a good ending too, to make sure they won’t feel they’ve wasted their time.
And that’s all you need. That and a lot of luck.

Page 5. Talking about past routines.
2. When I was really young my mom would tuck me in bed.
My first teacher at school used to have us sit around on the rug to teach us the alphabet.
When I was upset I used to cry.
When it was my birthday, My parents would host a birthday party with all my friends.
During the school holidays I would explore the “wilderness.”
Summing up

Descriptive verbs
The hurricane demolished everything in it path.
The prisoner dived under the water to escape the bullets.
The family fled from their burning home.
As she started to fall I managed to grab her by the arm.
The fire raged through the trees.
The people screamed in terror as the wave came towards them.
The robbers smashed down a wall to break into the bank.
The car was struck by the falling tree.
Phrasal verbs
I think I might take up yoga. It’s really good for the body and mind.
He studied medicine at university so I’m not sure how he ended up as an accountant.
Can you believe? Our car broke down five miles from home.
I know I should give up eating so much chocolate but I think I’d find it too difficult.
They carried on eating their picnic even though it started to rain.
When I have a problem my mum always helps me sort it out.
I’m really looking forward to the summer holidays. I need a rest.
Bill really stands out in the class photo because he’s so tall.

16.10.2020

Unit 1
A. Elizabeth usually goes to bed at around eleven o’clock.
Dan is talking on the other phone right now.
We don’t eat any meat at the moment as we’re both on a diet.
Is air travel getting increasingly safe?
My mum calls me every weekend without fail.
How much do babysitters generally earn?
You’re always coming up with excuses for not having done your homework. It’s so annoying!
I don’t go out much during the week but I always try to go out somewhere on Saturday night.
No, the train does stop at Cirencester on Saturdays.
My mum takes part in ice-skating competitions almost every weekend.
B. My dad is often getting up late on Saturday mornings. – My dad often gets up late on Saturday mornings.
Are you speaking any other languages apart from English? – Do you speak any other languages apart from English?
I already buy all my Christmas presents and it’s only October! – I’ve already bought all my Christmas presents and it’s only October!
It’s the first time I’m ever having a party at home. – It’s the first time time I’ve had a party at home.
Actually, I think Darren does works quite hard sometimes. – Actually, I think Daren does work quite hard sometimes.
Carlo is never eats Chinese food before. – Carlo has never eaten Chinese food before.
Sean already books a table for tonight. – Sean has already booked a table for tonight.
Needs Melanie any help painting her new flat? – Does Melanie need any help painting her new flat?
C. It’s the first time I’ve ever ate octopus!
Sandy has not see his sister since she went to university.
They have went on holiday to Spain and won’t be back until the end of the month.
Poor Tracy! She has been writing that essay for hours now and she still hasn’t finished!
Have you ever met anyone famous?
I’ve been trying to get in touch with Jenny all morning but I can’t find her anywhere.
I haven’t finishes the book yet so I can’ tell you what happens.
Have you already decided where you’re going this summer?
We have been living here for the last six years.
I’ve never heard such nonsense!
D. Have you ever dreamt of winning the lottery?
I haven’t worked out how to set the timer on the video yet.
My dad’s lived in the same house since he was born.
The film’s only been on for a couple minutes.
Bruce has knocked three men out of the competition so far.
I rarely get the chance to get any exercise – I’m just too busy.
He’s only just got home.
It’s eleven o’clock and Todd still hasn’t got home. Where could he be?
I’ve never met Ruth before. What’s she like?
Have you finished already? That was quick!
E. Ian is taking a shower at the moment, so could you call back in about half an hour?
Have you ever been to Ipswich before?
I have already written to all the local newspapers and TV stations to complain.
Have you been watching TV for the last four hours? Turn it off and get some exercise!
Eric, do you usually play hockey competitively or just for fun?
That’s the first time I have got an answer right today!
Jessica has already left, I’m afraid.
Dan sleeps in the living room while we redecorate his bedroom.
Unfortunately, Simone doesn’t get a day off very often.
Actually, I do drink a cup of tea first thing every morning but then I switch to coffee.
F. Everyone knows that humans have been flying for only a few hundred years. But is it possible that ancient civilizations also had the ability and technology to fly?
In the Nazcan Fesert in southern Peru, there are hundreds of lines which an ancient culture drew in the dust. On the ground, they just look like straight lines. But when you see them from the air, you understand exactly what they are. They are incredible and enormous picture. The pictures include animals, birds and symbols.
One bizarre theory, which most mainstream scientists disagree with, is that the people who made the lines thousands and thousands of years ago flew above the lines in balloons. It seems incredible, but a few people do believe it’s possible.
G. I think I’m going to buy the new Racetrack CD.
I’m thinking of getting Dad a CD for his birthday.
Phil’s looking like he needs a holiday!
Claire has darker hair than her sister.
Claire is having a haircut at the moment.
Andy is not old enough to drive a car.
Andy is being very annoying at the moment!
H.

Poem «A Perfect Day»

Almost everyone dead.

Pretending to be alive.

Earth has gone crazy.

R.i.p. brave soldiers.

Furious flame of war.

Everyone has gone crazy

Courage can’t be defeated.

Trenches and rear alike. 

Day D can come again.

Again the same words of fight.

Yielding the results of greed, this is the tale of war.

Studying in a foreign country

Studying in a foreign country is a great chance for students. And many pupils all around the world leave their native country to get an education abroad.

First of all, you will get some new cultural experience. The fact that you are in a foreign place will teach you many new things. For example- you will expand your worldview. You will see new traditions, try out the local cuisine, get to know the mentality of another nation. In short, you will get a chance to expand your horizons . 

Secondly, if you’re studying in a foreign country for quite a long period you are likely to pick up the language. And the knowledge that you will get will surely be useful.

Moreover, life abroad makes a person more flexible and tolerant. People abroad won’t be the same as in your country so you will have to learn how to communicate with different types of people and adapt to differences. You won’t survive if you don’t learn to accept other ways of thinking. Consequently, studying abroad makes you more broadminded.

On the other hand, if you study in a completely different place you will probably face language barriers. Unless you study the language of the country you are going to, you won’t manage to succeed there. You might have problems with communicating and the living would be harder than what you expected.

Also, there is a high probability that you will get a culture shock. Different cuisine, mentality and people who are complete strangers. Most probably you will meet different mental values and ways of thinking. 

You are on your own. Even if you are an exchange  student there won’t be anyone to look after you. You need to provide for yourself and act as a self-dependent person in a place where you don’t know anybody. So, adjusting to life in a different country can be extremely stressful.

Finally, studying abroad can be very costly. You have to either rent a flat or pay for living in the campus. You have to pay bills and you are a student and don’t always have enough time to cook for yourself, you spend more money eating out.

All in all, I find studying abroad very beneficial  because you meet new people, make new friends and learn a new way of living.