Class Critical Thinking and Comprehension Questions

Unit 7 Identity
Upper Intermediate English Level IX
Pontifical Bolivarian University

Student Name: Richard David Arrieta Arcia ID: 415504

Professor: Roberto Carlos Rangel Alvarez, MS

Questions

1. What is Pico Iyer’s attitude toward the people belonging to the floating tribe? Give
examples from his talk to explain your answer.
2. Why does Pico Iyer think the young man and the young woman he describes in his talk
probably have a lot in common?
3. How do Pico Iyer’s opinions compare with the author’s opinions in the 7C Reading
passage?
4. Why do the TED speakers in B tell those stories? What points are they trying to make?

Answers:

1. What is Pico Iyer’s attitude toward the people belonging to the floating tribe?
Give examples from his talk to explain your answer.

R/ He explains that the great floating tribe is growing very quickly and that they are the
"fifth largest nation" that will soon be more than the Americans. And that in Toronto
the average resident of today used to be called a foreigner.

2. Why does Pico Iyer think the young man and the young woman he describes in
his talk probably have a lot in common?

R/ Because she recognizes her similarities with him, more than with someone totally
Korean or German. And that from this union the person would be a wonderful mix of
different places. And that the way she persuades and thinks about the world will be
completely different as it emerges from an unprecedented mix of cultures.

3. How do Pico Iyer’s opinions compare with the author’s opinions in the 7C
Reading passage?

R/ I think they are different, because while the author of 7C talks about the types of
migrants for different reasons, Pico Lyer talks more about the cultural mix between
countries
4. Why do the TED speakers in B tell those stories? What points are they trying
to make?
R/ I think they seek to exemplify their point. Besides that, they are stories that leave
teachings and mark. For example, the story of Kenneth Shinozuka which provides a very
efficient solution. Also, Hass & Hahn which is a great initiative to restore not so visually
attractive places and Melissa Marshall talking about her knowledge, all these stories are
inspiring