Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Civic Engagement & Volunteerism

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de participar en debates complejos sobre la responsabilidad social y el compromiso ciudadano. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de expresar opiniones matizadas sobre el voluntariado, utilizando estructuras gramaticales avanzadas para conectar ideas de forma fluida y coherente.

Asimismo, habrás perfeccionado tu léxico especializado para discutir temas de activismo, filantropía y participación comunitaria. Deberías sentirte cómodo utilizando estructuras de paralelismo para dar énfasis a tus argumentos y manejar registros formales adecuados para contextos académicos o profesionales de nivel C1.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Sentence Transformation Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word provided. Do not change the word provided.

1. We decided to donate money, and we also volunteered our time. (BOTH) We decided __________ money and our time.

2. He is not only a dedicated activist but also a generous donor. (NOT) Not only __________ a dedicated activist, but he is also a generous donor.

3. The charity needs more funds; it also needs more volunteers. (AS WELL AS) The charity needs more volunteers __________ more funds.

Part 2: Error Correction Identify and correct the grammatical error in each sentence related to parallel structure or coordination.

4. To volunteer is to help others, to give back to society, and making a difference.
5. The committee discussed whether to increase the budget or if they should hire more staff.
6. Not only did the organization provide food, but also shelter was provided by them.

Part 3: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the sentences to improve their flow and sophistication using parallel structures or advanced coordination.

7. The project aims to raise awareness. It also aims to provide resources. (Combine into one sophisticated sentence)
8. We should focus on education. We should also focus on poverty alleviation. (Use "not only... but also")
9. The community centre was renovated. It was also reopened to the public. (Use a coordinated structure)
10. Being an activist requires passion. It also requires resilience. (Use a structure that balances the two qualities)

Vocabulary activation

Part 1: Collocations Complete the sentences with the correct verb or adjective that collocations with the underlined noun.

1. The local NGO is working hard to ___ a difference in the lives of refugees.
2. It is vital to ___ a contribution to the community through regular service.
3. The foundation has managed to ___ a significant impact on urban development.
4. Many citizens feel a strong ___ of responsibility towards environmental issues.

Part 2: Word Formation Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

5. The ___ of the new community centre was funded entirely by private donations. (ESTABLISH)
6. There is growing ___ regarding the transparency of local political leaders. (ACCOUNT)
7. The sudden ___ of the charity left many people without support. (DISSOLVE)
8. We must work towards the ___ of social justice in our city. (EQUAL)

Part 3: Register Choice Choose the most appropriate C1-level word to complete the sentence (A, B, or C).

9. The government's decision to cut funding was met with widespread ___. A) anger | B) indignation | C) annoyance
10. The movement gained ___ after the viral video was released. A) momentum | B) speed | C) movement
11. He is known for his ___ commitment to human rights. A) big | B) unwavering | C) heavy
12. The decision to implement the policy was highly ___. A) controversial | B) fighty | C) argued

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Shift in Civic Engagement

In recent years, the concept of civic engagement has undergone a significant transformation. Traditionally, involvement was defined by formal membership in political parties or established non-profit organisations. However, the rise of digital platforms has birthed a new era of "clicktivism" and micro-volunteering. While critics argue that these digital actions are superficial and lack long-term commitment, proponents suggest they democratise participation, allowing individuals to contribute to causes regardless of their physical location or time constraints.

This shift raises a fundamental question: does the medium of engagement change the value of the contribution? While traditional activism often requires sustained physical presence and deep-rooted community ties, digital engagement can mobilise millions instantly. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between fleeting online support and the substantive, boots-on-the-ground work required to enact real social change. As we navigate this hybrid landscape, society must determine how to balance immediate digital impact with enduringly impactful community involvement.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (response essay) de entre 180 y 220 palabras. Debes evaluar si el activismo digital es una forma válida de compromiso cívico o si es simplemente una distracción de la acción real. Utiliza un registro formal y asegúrate de emplear estructuras de paralelismo y vocabulario avanzado aprendido en esta unidad.

Speaking checkpoint

Instrucciones: Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral para practicar tu fluidez y capacidad de argumentación. Intenta hablar durante 1-2 minutos por cada respuesta.

1. Compare: Compare the advantages and disadvantages of traditional volunteering versus digital activism.
2. Speculate: How might the nature of civic engagement change in the next fifty years with the advancement of AI and virtual reality?
3. Evaluate: To what extent should governments encourage or regulate private philanthropy?
4. Justify: Some argue that "slacktivism" (low-effort online activism) does more harm than good. Do you agree? Justify your position.
5. Compare: Compare the motivations of someone who volunteers for personal fulfilment versus someone who does it for professional networking.
6. Evaluate: Evaluate the impact of social media on the effectiveness of modern social movements.

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. ...both to donate money and to volunteer our time. 2. Not only is he a dedicated activist, but he is also a generous donor. 3. ...as well as needing more funds. 4. ...and making a difference $\rightarrow$ ...and making a difference (Wait, the error is: ...and to make a difference). 5. ...or if they should hire $\rightarrow$ ...or whether they should hire. 6. Not only did the organization provide food, but they also provided shelter. (Or: Not only was food provided, but shelter was also provided). 7. The project aims to both raise awareness and provide resources. 8. We should focus not only on education but also on poverty alleviation. 9. The community centre was both renovated and reopened to the public. 10. Being an activist requires both passion and resilience.

Vocabulary activation 1. make 2. make 3. make 4. sense 5. establishment 6. accountability 7. dissolution 8. equality 9. B (indignation) 10. A (momentum) 11. B (unwavering) 12. A (controversial)