Includes a chapter providing models for the written assignments in this volume.

LEAP 1: Reading and Writing is the first level of a four-level task-based coursebook series. Along with extensive online resources, LEAP 1 develops the skills students need to excel in an academic context. With its focus on authentic reading and critical thinking, LEAP 1: Reading and Writing exposes students to cross-curricular content and concepts from a variety of disciplines. Activities that support vocabulary acquisition, grammar, reading comprehension, and writing skills prepare students for college and university reading and writing requirements. LEAP 1: Reading and Writing is a key stepping stone on every student’s path towards academic success.” (Book Cover)

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: THE LEARNING BRAIN
Subject Areas: education, technology

Reading: Predicting before reading — Use title, subtitles, photos, and graphics to think about a topic
Reading 1: Never Too Late to Learn (459 words)
Reading 2: Ten Tips and Tricks to Learn Any Language (409 words)
Reading 3: How Do You Study? (387 words)

Critical Thinking: Brainstorming using a mind map — Use a mind a map to solve problems

Writing: Reviewing simple sentences

Grammar: Modals: can, could, should, have to

Academic Survival Skills: Checking and editing your writing — Identify common errors

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write a List of Goals
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write Your Goals in a Paragraph

Chapter 2: NEW WAYS OF THINKING
Subject Areas: physics, sociology

Reading: Finding the main idea in a text — Learn how to find the main idea in each paragraph
Reading 1: Significant Positive Change (429 words)
Reading 2: Electric Dreams (457 words)
Reading 3: Changing the World (456 words)

Critical Thinking: Reflecting on what you read — Find meaning

Writing: Writing compound sentences

Grammar: Simple past tense

Academic Survival Skills: Remembering what you learn — Learn techniques to help you remember

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Describe an Innovation
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a Descriptive Paragraph

Chapter 3: FINDING SUCCESS
Subject Areas: business, economics

Reading: Identifying supporting details — Find information that develops and supports main ideas
Reading 1: A Woman’s Business (411 words)
Reading 2: A Billionaire Dropout (416 words)
Reading 3: We’re Wrong (425 words)

Critical thinking: Asking follow-up questions — Think of –wh questions while reading

Writing: Using conjunctions to write sentences

Grammar: Simple past and past progressive tenses

Academic Survival Skills: Managing your time — Plan an effective schedule

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write a List of Events
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a Chronological Paragraph

Chapter 4: DISRUPTING BUSINESS
Subject Areas: business, psychology

Reading: Scanning for specific information — Look for key words
Reading 1: From Horses to Email (411 words)
Reading 2: Disrupting the Classroom (461 words)
Reading 3: Learning from Short-Term Setbacks (495 words)

Critical thinking: Looking for examples — Find examples to support ideas

Writing: Writing simple messages

Grammar: Possessive form

Academic Survival Skills: Boosting your vocabulary — Learn words that matter

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write an Informal Message
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a Formal Email

Chapter 5: A PERSONAL WORLD
Subject Areas: astronomy, engineering

Reading: Recognizing comparisons in a text — Use comparatives and superlatives to find comparisons
Reading 1: Smaller, Faster, Cheaper (482 words)
Reading 2: After the Storm (493 words)
Reading 3: Three Ways Technology Has Changed our Lives for the Better (366 words)

Critical thinking: Analyzing information in charts — Understand how information is organized in different charts

Writing: Comparing in a paragraph

Grammar: Future tense with will and be going to

Academic Survival Skills: Working with others — Learn tips for working in groups

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Create a Venn Diagram
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a Comparison Paragraph

Chapter 6: LIVING CODES
Subject Areas: genetics, geography

Reading: Recognizing the main purpose of a text — Use the title and text organization to find the purpose
Reading 1: Are You Shaped by Nature or Nurture? (492 words)
Reading 2: Somme Winners Know When to Quit (453 words)
Reading 3: Authors Reveal Algorithms to Live By (490 words)

Critical Thinking: Identifying facts and opinions — Understand the difference between opinions and valid opinions

Writing: Writing an opinion paragraph

Grammar: Gerunds and infinitives

Academic Survival Skills: Taking notes — Remember what you read

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write a Table of Facts and Opinions
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write an Opinion Paragraph

Chapter 7: ROBOTS, AI, AND THE FUTURE
Subject Areas: computer science, medicine

Reading: Recognizing a process in a text — Learn transition words
Reading 1: A Robot That You Can Swallow (463 words)
Reading 2: How Do Artificial Intelligence Programs Work? (485 words)
Reading 3: Give Us a Hand: It’s Time for Robots to Get Physical (428 words)

Critical Thinking: Identifying problems and solutions — Identify topic sentences — Scan for key words

Writing: Describing a process

Grammar: Propositions of time: at, in, an

Academic Survival Skills: Studying smarter — Find ways to be efficient and effective

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write Steps in a Process
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write a Process Paragraph

Chapter 8: LOOK INTO THE FUTURE
Subject Areas: communications, urban studies

Reading: Making inferences when you read — Learn ways to reach a conclusion
Reading 1: Predicting the Future (486 words)
Reading 2: Question the Questionnaire (496 words)
Reading 3: Humans Will Live Underwater in a Hundred Years’ Time (448 words)

Critical Thinking: Using headings to understand ideas — Predict before you read

Writing: Writing questions for a questionnaire

Grammar: Present perfect tense

Academic Survival Skills: Preparing for exams — Learn strategies to help you succeed

Assignments:
WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT: Write a Short Questionnaire
FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Write About Your Findings

Models Chapter

APPENDIX 1 Vocabulary

Photo and Text Credits

For high-beginner to intermediate students of English as second language (A2-B1 - CEFR).