lunes, 30 de marzo de 2020

SHOPPING VOCABULARY.



SHOPPING VOCABULARY

People:
  • Customer
  • Cashier / clerk
  • Attendant / assistant
  • Manager
Shopping:
  • Wallet (male)
  • Purse (female)
  • Scale
  • Till / Counter
  • Barcode
  • Receipt
  • Gift receipt
  • Aisle
  • Shelf / shelves
  • Trolley / s
  • Basket / s
  • Lift / s
  • Escalator / s
  • Bag / s
  • Fitting rooms / changing rooms
Ways to Pay:
  • Cheques
  • Cash
  • Notes
  • Coins
  • Card machine
  • Chop and pin machine
  • Credit cards / debit cards
  • Loyalty card
Where to Buy:
  • convenience store / general store / newsagents / department store / shop / store
  • chemist / pharmacy
  • toy shop / toy store
  • book shop
  • ladies clothing shop / boutique
  • men’s clothing shop / tailor
  • shoe shop / cobbler’s
  • jeweller’s / jewellery store
  • opticians / optometrists
  • electrical store
  • record shop
  • ironmonger’s / ironmongery
  • charity shop / second hand shop
  • haberdasher’s / haberdashery
  • shopping centre
  • shopping mall / mall
  • market
  • florist / botanist
  • butcher’s
  • fishmonger’s / seafood store
  • greengrocers / grocery store
  • baker’s / bakery
  • delicatessen
  • grocer’s
  • DIY store / home supply store
  • hardware store
  • off-licence
  • post office
  • supermarket
  • gardening store / gardening centre

USEFUL PHRASES THAT A CLERK OR CUSTOMER MIGHT USE

1. Finding the right store / shop
Questions:
  • Can you recommend a good toy shop/store?
  • Is there a chemist / pharmacy in this area?
  • Where can I get pet food from?
  • Where is the nearest shopping centre?
  • Could you direct me to the nearest post office please?
  • Do you know where the nearest hardware store is?
2. Answers:
  • There is a really good book shop just around the corner.
  • You can buy that here in the hotel.
  • The nearest one is a few mile away.
  • The best toy shop is in the shopping centre.
  • The post office isn’t open on Sundays.
  • The convenience store on the corner might sell that.

EXERCISE TWO




GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES





Here is a brief review of the differences between gerunds and infinitives. 

Gerunds are formed with ING:walking, talking, thinking, listening
Infinitives are formed with TO:to walk, to talk, to think, to listen


Gerunds and infinitives can do several jobs: 
Both gerunds and infinitives can be the subject of a sentence::

Writing in English is difficult.
To write in English is difficult.

Both gerunds and infinitives can be the object of a verb::

I like writing in English.
I like to write in English.

BUT...

Only gerunds can be the object of a preposition::

We are talking about writing in English.


It is often difficult to know when to use a gerund and when to use an infinitive. These guidelines may help you:
Gerunds are often used when actions are real, concrete or completed::

I stopped smoking.
(The smoking was real and happened until I stopped.)

Infinitives are often used when actions are unreal, abstract, or future::

I stopped to smoke.
(I was doing something else, and I stopped; the smoking had not happened yet.)
   
Copyright Englishpage.com

miércoles, 25 de marzo de 2020

SPEAKING PRACTICE.



Picture Description: Speculating

FROM WWW.CRISTIANCABAL.COM


Picture Description is an important part of the Oral Exam and it needs to be practised. Two weeks ago, I published a post containing Some Useful Guidelines and Techniques for Picture Description that you might want to read.
One of the things that you need to take into account when describing a picture is that you cannot be 100% sure what is happening in the picture. Therefore, you need to use appropriate language to show you  are guessing. You have to speculate about the pictures For example: He is likely to / she’ll probably find it quite tough… etc
Some structures you can use:
  • Look as if + sentence/ Seem as if + sentence : he looks as if / seems as if he is looking for something
  • Seem + to infinitive: he seems to be tired/ he seems to be having a great time
  • Look/ Seem + adjective: They look/ seem quite tired
  • Appear + to infinitive : She doesn’t  appear to be concentrated on what she’s doing
Some modal verbs  you can use.
  • Must : for positive deduction. He must be happy because he’s smiling. The photo must have been taken in summer.
  • Can’t : for negative deduction. He can’t be going to school because he is not carrying books.
  • May/ Might/Could : for posibility. He could be telling her something she doesn’t like. The photo might have been taken in winter as they are wearing winter clothes.
Words like : perhaps, maybe…
Let’s listen to an example now.
You’ll hear a girl called Magda practising this part of the Speaking test

 HERE YOU HAVE SOME EXAMPLES ON A VIDEO CLASS:


OK. NOW READ THE FOLLOWING TASK AND RECORD YOUR VOICE WITH YOUR MOBILES. PLEASE SEND THE RECORDINGS TO: intermedio1ingles@gmail.com

TASK: DESCRIBE  THE FOLLOWING PICTURE WHILE YOU RECORD YOUR VOICE ON YOUR MOBILE. PLEASE FOLLOW THE GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS YOU HAVE READ ON THIS POST.



JUST FOR LAUGHS:
 


domingo, 22 de marzo de 2020

HOME PRACTICE.

HELLO. TODAY WE HAVE MORE PRACTICE. LET´S DO THIS VOCABULARY EXERCISE. YOU CAN ENLARGUE THE PDF WINDOW, DOWNLOAD IT OR EVEN PRINT IT. 

FOR NEXT SESSION I WILL TRY TO CONNECT WITH SMALL GROUPS USING WINDOWS OFFICE TEAMS. I AM STILL PRACTISING. IWILL KEEP YOU INFORMED







miércoles, 18 de marzo de 2020

READING COMPREHENSION./ AN OPINION ESSAY.






Check out this brochure with some of the most exciting adventure holidays around the world and improve your reading skills. Are you ready for this? (FROM THE BRITISH COUNCIL.ORG)



Adventure travel

Time for an adventure?
Are you a bit bored with your nine-to-five routine? Have a look at our exciting range of holidays and decide what type of adventure you’d like.

Activity holidays

Our activity holidays are for everyone, people who love danger or who just like sports. We have a huge variety of water, snow or desert holidays. We’ll take you SCUBA diving in the Red Sea or kayaking and white water rafting in Canada. If you prefer snow, you can try skiing or snowboarding in the Alps or even igloo-building. For those who like warmer weather, we also have sandboarding (the desert version of skateboarding) or camel safaris.

Polar expeditions

Take a cruise to Antarctica or the northern Arctic; explore a land of white natural beauty and wonderful wildlife. Our experts will explain everything about the two poles as you watch the penguins in Antarctica or whales and polar bears in the Arctic. There's no greater adventure than travelling to the ends of the earth. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Cultural journeys

Our cultural journeys will help you discover ancient civilisations: India, Thailand, Egypt and many more. Visit temples, palaces and ancient ruins – just remember to bring your camera! Get to know local ways of life by exploring markets, trying exotic foods and meeting local people.

Trekking tours

We have trekking holidays to famous places such as Machu Picchu or the Everest Base Camp Trek, as well as some nearer to home in the Highlands of Scotland. You don’t need to be very sporty, just fairly fit. You’ll have a great time enjoying nature with a group of new friends. Some of the holidays include camping, but we’ll transport the tents for you!

Wildlife holidays

We organise small-group tours to get closer to nature in Africa, Asia or South America. Go on safari in Africa and watch lions and giraffes. Meet the famous turtles of the Galapagos Islands. Look for tigers in India, or take an elephant safari in Sri Lanka. We use local guides and stay in a range of accommodation, from tents to tree houses.



 AN OPINION ESSAY. EXAMPLE:




Your opinion essay should have an introduction, main body and conclusion.

Step 1 - Introduction


In the introductory paragraph, you need to present your subject and state your opinion clearly. Make sure it contains a thesis statement – a sentence that summarizes the main point of your paper.

There are several techniques to begin your essay, so you can:

  • address the reader directly;
  • include a quotation, direct speech, a sentence from a book or play;
  • ask a rhetorical question.

Step 2 - Main Body


In the body of your essay, you need to support your thesis statement. Write several paragraphs, each presenting a separate point of view supported by reasons. Start every paragraph with a topic sentence – the main idea you will back up with arguments. Make sure you don't begin a new paragraph because the one you are writing right now is too long. Begin a new paragraph only when you want to discuss a new idea.

While writing, pay special attention to:

  • Tense – normally you should use present tenses in this type of essay.
  • Linking words – use different expressions for giving reasons (one reason for ... is / many people believe that... / since... / due to...), expressions opinions (to my mind... / I am convinced that... / from my point of view...), adding ideas (first of all.../ secondly... / what is more, …/ finally... ), etc.
  • Formal vocabulary – do not use idioms, phrasal verbs or colloquial expressions.
  • Formal punctuation – do not use exclamation marks, parentheses and contractions.
  • Citing sources where necessary.

Step 3 - Conclusion


To conclude your opinion essay, write a paragraph where you restate your opinion using different words. You should avoid introducing a new idea or apologizing for your views. However, to make your essay more engaging, you can end with a warning, ask a provocative question or suggest consequences.

​Proofreading


When you complete your essay, evaluate different aspects to make sure that your work is just excellent:

  1. Grammar – make sure you use the same tense throughout the essay.
  2. Vocabulary – check whether you use linking words and avoid slang.
  3. Spelling and capitalization – check if all the words are written correctly.

In addition, make sure you do not present your ideas using the lists. After all, this is an opinion essay, not a shopping list.

Done right, your opinion essay will be an outstanding piece of writing. Follow the tips above and take your essay writing to the new heights!



Write the opinion essay included in the pdf reading comprehension about the invention of the phone and send it to

intermedio1ingles@gmail.com 

as an attached word or open document. Thank you! 
 

viernes, 13 de marzo de 2020

Phrasal verbs object pronoun position.








turn it on/look after it

 Phrasal verbs object pronoun position



"Sometimes a phrasal verb has an object. Usually there are two possible positions for the object. So you can say:
I turned on the light. I turned the light on.
If the object is a pronoun (it/them/me/him etc.), only one position is possible.
I turned it on.
Separable

When this type of phrasal verb has a direct object, we can usually separate the two parts. For example, "turn down" is separable. We can say: "turn down my offer" or "turn my offer down". Look at these example sentences:


tick They turned down my offer.
tick They turned my offer down.

However, if the direct object is a pronoun, we have no choice. We must separate the two parts of the verb and insert the pronoun. Look at these examples with the verb "switch on". Note that the last one is impossible:


tick John switched on the radio.
tick John switched the radio on.
tick John switched it on.
cross John switched on it.

Separable or inseparable?

Many dictionaries tell you when a phrasal verb is separable. If a dictionary writes "look (something) up", you know that the phrasal verb "look up" is separable, and you can say "look something up" and "look up something". It's a good idea to write "sthg/sby" as appropriate in your vocabulary book when you learn a new phrasal verb, like this:
  • get up
  • break down
  • break sthg off
  • turn sthg/sby down
This tells you if the verb needs a direct object (and where to place it).


 DOWNLOAD THIS PDF EXERCISE AND CHECK THE ANSWERS.




LISTENING COMPREHENSION. 
Now do this listening comprehension about the topic "Organising your time". 
First download the pdf exercise on the link below (1), then play the listening twice (2), to finish download the answers (3) and check. The tapescript is also available (4)
 
1 LISTENING PDF EXERCISE
 
 2LISTENING COMPREHENSION AUDIO

3 LISTENING ANSWERS

4 TAPESCRIPT





miércoles, 11 de marzo de 2020

ADJECTIVES WITH ED / ING

 

 

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

 Adjectives Ending in "-ed" and "-ing" (Adjetivos terminados en "-ed" y "-ing")

Las terminaciones "-ed" y "-ing" no sólo se usan para formar los tiempos verbales del pasado y presente continuo, también se usan con adjetivos. Estos adjetivos están compuestos de un verbo y estas dos terminaciones, pero ten en cuenta que el sentido cambia dependiendo de que terminación se use.

"-ed" Adjectives (Adjetivos terminados en "-ed")

Los adjetivos que terminan en "-ed" indican o describen emociones. Estos adjetivos suelen acabar en "-ado", "-ido" o "-edo" en español y van después del verbo "estar".

  • Ejemplos:
  •  
  • John is interested in art. (John está interesado en el arte.)
  • Denise was bored in class. (Denise estaba aburrida en clase.)
  • Luke is excited about his new job. (Luke está emocionado con su nuevo empleo.)

"-ing" Adjectives (Adjetivos terminados en "-ing")

Los adjetivos que terminan en "-ing" indican o describen una característica de algo o alguien. A diferencia de los adjetivos que terminan en "-ed", no hay regla en español para formar estos adjetivos y van después del verbo "ser".

  • Ejemplos:
  •  
  • John is an interesting person. (John es una persona interesante.)
  • The class was boring so Denise fell asleep. (La clase era aburrida asi que Denise se durmió.)
  • Luke started an exciting new job. (Luke acaba de empezar un nuevo empleo emocionante.)

Nota: Como hemos mencionado anteriormente, el uso de un adjetivo en vez de otro cambia el sentido de la frase.

  • Ejemplos:

  • Steve is embarrassed. (Steve está avergonzado.)
  • Steve is embarrassing. (Steve es vergonzoso.)