KATE MIDDLETON, THE PRINCESS OF WALES, ANNOUNCES HER ILLNESS ON OFFICIAL VIDEO

Showing Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, official video announcing her illness as an example of a real listening practice as it has been shown on different media and after all the speculation going on about her in the last weeks.

PREPARING 'ABAU TEST': WRITING TOPICS

Another temporary post for 2nd BAC students. This post will only be public previous to this year's selectividad test.

We've collected all the latest possibilities of writing topics proposed recently in Selectividad tests.

Have a look at them...

Do you worry about your physical appearance? Why / why not?

Write an informal letter to a friend, describing your feelings when you first practised a new activity. Youcan invent or imagine the new activity.

Do you (and your friends) buy a product because of the name or because of the quality? Give examples.

Are you a competitive person? Is it good to be competitive? (Approximately 100 words; 3 points)

Write a conversation between a person who has a fear of flying and another who is trying to calm her / him. Begin in the following way:

A: What can I do? I have to fly to Berlin next week.

B: Don’t worry. I felt the same when I flew for the first time…

A friend of yours wants to get married. Write to her / him giving your opinion.

Describe a game or sport that you enjoy, and say why you like it more than others.

Do you like learning history? Do you think it is useful? Give reasons.

Do you think that you can learn a lot from exhibitions and museums? Why / why not?

Do you think rich or famous people are happier than the rest of us? Give reasons.

Write about the last time you had a surprise, or gave someone a surprise.

What can parents do to help children spend their free time in a better way?

Describe a visit to a museum, exhibition or art gallery if you have been to one. If not, do you think they should be free, or should people have to pay to enter? Give reasons for your answer.

What things in your life make you happy?

What other things (apart from eating healthy foods) do you do to keep yourself healthy?

Some people want to exclude your favourite sport from the Olympic Games. Write an argument for its inclusion

Write a letter to a friend who is getting a bit fat telling him/her what to do in order to lose weight.Consider both diet and exercise.

Have you ever had a pet? If so, describe it. If not, what sort of pet would you like to have, and why?

What activities did you enjoy most in your English classes? And which ones did you like least?

Where would you go if you wanted to disappear? Explain your choice

Some famous athletes earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion

Continue the story. Who was the mysterious man? What is going to happen?

Write about the last time you had a surprise, or gave someone a surprise

What can parents do to help children spend their free time in a better way?

Have you got a pet? If so, describe it. If not, what sort of pet would you like to have? Why?

What other things make it difficult to live with other members of the family, apart from alcohol?

Do you think that it is right for the state to control whether people smoke, drink or take drugs? What arguments are there for and against such control?

Would you like to have children? What is the best age to start a family?

Write a short biography of someone who is important to you.

Do you think taking a year off between school and university is a good idea? Why/ why not? What would you like to do if you could do this?

Is personal appearance important? Why? Why not?

How do you think children's education will change in the future?

PREPARING "ABAU TEST": SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION PRACTICE (2)

Another temporary post with sentence transformation practice exercises with answers below.

1. You should take the train instead of the bus.

-> If………………………………………… ………………………………………….. ………………

2. I’m sure that someone forgot to lock the door.

–> Someone must………………………………………. ………………………………………….

3. They bought this house ten years ago.

–> They have………………………………………. ………………………………………….. …..

4. The course finished with a big party.

–> At the end……………………………………….. ………………………………………….. ….

5. We invited a pop star onto the chat show, but he didn’t turn up.

–> The pop star………………………………………. ………………………………………….. ..

6. Although she said that she would come, I don’t think she ever will.

—> Despite……………………………………. ………………………………………….. ………..

7. The plane had hardly left the airport when the accident happened.

–> No sooner…………………………………….. ………………………………………….. …….

8. You feel tired now because you didn’t sleep very well last night.

-> Had……………………………………….. ………………………………………….. …………..

9. When did you start the project?

—> How long………………………………………. ………………………………………….. ….

10. Their wedding will be held in a lovely church.

–> The church…………………………………….. ………………………………………….. ……

1. My father used to play football when he was young.

My father doesn’t……………………………………. ………………………………………….. .. ,

2. Jane gave me a present on my last birthday.

I was……………………………………….. ………………………………………….. ……………..

3. “Let’s go swimming”.

She suggests…………………………………… ………………………………………….. …….

4. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

He………………………………………… ………………………………………….. …………….

5. We got lost in the jungle because we didn’t have a map.

If we had……………………………………….. ………………………………………….. …….

6.1 last saw Bob when I was in Ho Chi Minh City.

I haven’t seen………………………………………. ………………………………………….. ..

7. It is a three-hour drive from Hanoi to Namdinh.

It takes……………………………………… ………………………………………….. …………

8. It’s a pity you didn’t tell us about this.

I wish………………………………………. ………………………………………….. ………….

9. They think the owner of the house is abroad.

The owner……………………………………… ………………………………………….. ……

10. The children couldn’t go swimming because the sea was very rough.

The sea was too……………………………………….. …………………………………………..

ANSWERS

Exercise 1

1. If I were you, I’d take the train instead of the bus.
2. Someone must have forgotten to lock the door.
3. They have had/ owned this house for ten years.
4. At the end of the course, there was a big party.
5. The pop star that/ who/ whom we invited onto the chatshow didn’t turn up.
6. Despite her saying that she would come, I don’t think she ever will.
7. No sooner had the plane left the airport than the accident happened.
8. Had you slept well last night, you wouldn’t feel tired now. 9.How long is it since you started the project ?
10. The church where their wedding will be held is lovely.

Exercise 2
1. My father doesn’t play football anymore.
2. I was given a present on my last birthday.
3. She suggests going swimming.
4. He invited me a cup of tea.
5. If we had had a map, I wouldn’t got lost in the jungle
6. I haven’t seen Bob since I was in Ho Chi Minh City.
7. It takes three hours to drive from Hanoi to Namdinh.
8. I wish you had told us about it.
9. The owner of the house is thought to be abroad.
10. The sea was too rough for the children to go swimming.

PREPARING 'ABAU TEST': SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION PRACTICE (1)

Here's a temporary post available as a training practice for the ABAU exams. It consists of a selection of transformation exercises that have appeared in recent ABAU tests. As you know it's the way grammar is checked in this kind of exams. Each transformation hides a grammatical sturcture you should anticipate.

This post will only be public previous to this year's Selectividad test.

- YOU HAVE TO SAY THE SAME WITHOUT ANY CHANGE IN MEANING, USING ANOTHER CORRECT STRUCTURE.

EXAMPLE:

a) David Givens asked “How do two bodies get close enough together to procreate?”
[Reported speech]

David Givens asked how two bodies got close enough together to procreate

b) True love is so complex that we cannot explain it.
[adj+TO infinitive &/or passive]

True love is too complex for us to explain it. /...complex to be explained.

c) Men have been attracted to certain sizes of hips and waists for more than 20,000 years.
[From passive to active]

Certain sizes of hips and waists have attracted men for more than 20,000 years

d) Codes of attraction and beauty may be millions of years old.
[Expressing possibility]

It is possible that codes of attraction and beauty are millions of years old.

- HERE ARE MORE TO PRACTICE:

a) Copying it would be useless.

It would...

b) The new owners gave it a place in American pop culture.

It ...

c) It’s not impossible to decipher the formula.

Deciphering ….

d) A pharmacist called John Pemberton created the formula in his laboratory.

John Pemberton, who …

a) “I’ve done about fifty jumps”, Mark Debenham said.

Mark Debenham said that …

b) Bungee jumping is an incredible experience, which makes your heart race.

Bungee jumping is such …

c) If you are 50 years old or more you need to have a medical certificate.

You must …

d) Many people take it up as a sport.

It …

a) You can always practise outside in a local park. It’s free and spacious.

You can …., which …

b) Dance teachers are more interested in the size of your talent than your waist.

The size of …

c) It is possible that you will think about following a career in dance.

You may …

d) It’s essential to warm up to avoid unnecessary injuries.

You must

 a) It is possible to control a fear of flying

A fear of flying …

b) Mr.Yaffé said: “When people sign for the course they are sent a book about flying”

Mr. Yaffé said that …

c) For some people the prospect of flying is so terrifying that they can’t set a foot on a plane

For some people the prospect of flying is … terrifying feeling that …

d) Mr. Yaffé organizes special “air anxiety” seminars.

Special…

a) There are a lot of divorces in Britain. Therefore many young people prefer simply to live together.

There are so many …

b) “If you are unhappy with your husband, you should get a divorce” he said to her.

He advised her …

c) Women will tolerate less than they used to.

Women will not …

d) One of the main reasons for divorce is unreasonable or cruel behaviour.

Women often ….. because …..

a) I wish I hadn’t invented it.

I regret …

b) The game was so good that millions of people bought it.

It was such …

c) It took us 45 minutes to invent the rules.

In 45 minutes …

d) The correct answer is not chocolate or cocoa but … sugar!

Sugar, not …

a) The father’s power over the children did not end when they became adults.

When the ….

b) The system allowed little opportunity for change, and lasted over a thousand years.

The system, which ….

c) A plebeian could be arrested and executed by a patrician without a trial.

A patrician …

d) The system was inflexible and didn’t allow any change.

The system was too …

a) Afghanistan’s cultural treasures were stolen by vandals.

Vandals …

b) The French have a long history of archaeological work in Afghanistan.

The French have been …

a) She invented games to keep herself occupied.

She invented games because …

b) At the age of 24, she married Archie Christie.

When she

a) He didn’t tell us where we were going, so I was excited.

I was excited ..

b) The house seemed strange without his grandmother in it.

If his grandmother had been …

a) He had no criminal record but was suspected of stealing the car.

Although …

b) Video games cannot be separated from other forms of entertainment.

You cannot …

a) They use samples from the collection in order to study the minerals.

Samples from the collection …

b) We advise you to see the beautiful animated film.

 “You…,” they said to us.

c) In the exhibition, there is a model house.

The exhibition …

d) A large model shows you a modern gold mine.

You can see …

a) Wiseman said he had found the funniest jokes in the world.

“I ……” said Wiseman.

b) The most popular jokes were about the relationship between men and women.

People enjoyed…

c) Americans and Canadians prefer jokes that make somebody look stupid.

The Americans’ and Canadians’ favourite…

d) Chris Wiseman conducted an experiment to find the world’s most popular joke

In order to…

a) Skaters were transporting goods across frozen waterways.

Goods ...

b) The International Skating Union was founded. Six years later, the first official event was celebrated.

Six years after …

c) As judges deduct points, a balanced programme is important.

If judges didn’t ....

d) Ice dancing consists of three sections.

There are …

a) Phelps says, “I eat pretty much whatever I want”

Phelps said that …..

b) Phelps could improve his diet by including some fruit or salad.

Phelps could improve his diet if ….

c) Contrary to the copious breakfasts eaten by Phelps ….

Contrary to the copious breakfasts which …

d) Maybe he met Michael Phelps there.

He may ....

a) Don't leave tempting shoes, clothing, or children's toys within reach of your dog

The writer advises us …

b) His appetite may not be good.

Perhaps …

c) Don't allow him to do something one time and forbid it another.

If you allow him …

d) We must teach our pet manners.

Our pet …

a) Do responsible learners volunteer to clean the blackboard? Are they diligent and obedient?

The writer asks ……

b) They may not always be like that.

Perhaps …..

c) You can bring a horse to the water

A horse……

d) Learning will only happen if learners are willing to contribute.

Unless …….

a) My clients range from the paranoid to the extremely wealthy

Some of my clients …

b) At the moment we’re working on one of the biggest cases we’ve ever handled.

The author said that ….

c) I’ll teach the client how to live a different life

The client ........

d) He is criminally connected, so his wife is worried that he’ll try to have her murdered.

Because ….

a) Blindfolded waterskiing is a difficult sport and only the bravest and most experienced waterskiers dare

to do it.

Blindfolded waterskiing , ……………….. a difficult sport.

b) The skier cannot see the route or water over which they are skiing.

The skier isn’t ….

c) Steve Thiele has set a new world record in an effort to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

A new world record …

d) Thiele said: “It’s great to get a world record and I am very happy to have completed the challenge”

Thiele said that…

a) Its soft, dark water soothed her mind

Her mind ….

b) She felt at peace. Unhindered and free.

Not only did she ….

c) Quickly she gathered her things together and made for the cottage.

After …..

d) And there in the kitchen, skinny, cadaverous and unwelcome, stood a man.

A man, who ………………………………………. stood in the kitchen.

a) Patrick Smith is a pilot. He writes for the on-line magazine Salon.com.

Patrick Smith, ……

b) “Do crews empty the contents of the toilet over people’s houses?”

Some people asked if ….

c) Concentrating on these irrelevant things, you’re wasting time and resources.

If you ………………….

d) Some routes or airports require more attention than others.

More attention ………

 a) Keep your eyes open for haggis in restaurants and pubs

The writer advised us …..

b) At most weddings country dancing is preferable to a disco

At most weddings the Scots …..

c) Most language centres provide tours and Scottish entertainment as part of their courses.

Tours and Scottish entertainment…

d) If you had enough money, you might even buy a kilt

Perhaps …

a) Could a government-issued licence be the best solution to reduce smoking?

The text asks ……………………………

b) Selling cigarettes to anyone without a licence would be severely punished

If an establishment sells………………………………………….

c) Tobacco products could not be sold to anyone without a licence.

Shops would not …………………………………………………….

d) He also suggests building in a financial reward to entice smokers to quit.

“Perhaps we………………………………………………………,” he suggests.

a) It will provide a "quiet zone" for passengers at no extra cost.

Passengers will be given a "quiet zone" without …

b) Parents will be angry at the suggestion that they should be segregated from other passengers.

If airlines suggest …

c) Do adults need to learn to live with child passengers?

Is it necessary …?

d) Malaysian Airlines will ban children from the top deck of A380 aircraft.

Children …

a) Michelle Obama was brought up in Chicago in a one-bedroom apartment.

Michelle Obama was brought up in Chicago in an apartment which …….

 b) The family read and played games together.

 The family not only ………………….

c) Their parents were not well off, but both children were brought up with an emphasis on education.

Although ……….

d) Michelle took various accelerated courses. She then went on to attend a special high school for gifted children.

 After …..

a) Our trips start from a one-week duration, so you can go on your own mini adventure. You can go…

b) You could work in Australia and move on to South East Asia afterwards.

Before ...

c) Planning your adventure is easy!

 It's ...

d) "If you are sensible you will be safe"

She told them that ...

a)The genes you inherit from your parents can determine how your metabolism deals with particular foods.

 How your metabolism deals with particular foods …….

 b) Do you fill yourself with junk food during the weekend after a week of dieting?

The author asks the reader whether ……..

 c) Eating several small meals in a day helps you to avoid bingeing.

 You can avoid bingeing if ……

 d) You should have a specific time and place for eating.

The writer advises us ………

a) She was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen while returning home.

While she ...

 b) "I didn't learn the importance of education from a book, I lived it." he said.

He said that ...

c) His school experience was similar to that of many of the other young delegates. Many of the other young delegates ...

 d) Pupils today have access to specialist technology but Ban Ki-Moon began with very little. 

Whereas pupils today …. 

WATCHING FILMS & TV SERIES TO PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH (2)

 Here's an extract from a "FRIENDS" episode to watch and practice. For an episode of "THIS IS US", click here.

WATCHING FILMS & TV SERIES TO PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH (1)

 Watching films or TV series is a good way of learning English. Here's a snippet from an episode of the American TV series "This Is Us" as an example with explained.

A snippet from an episode of "FRIENDS", here.

Video:

PRACTICING ADVICE

 

- More situations for advice:

1) I always feel tired and have no energy to do anything.

2) My clothes are all starting to get too tight.

3) I lost my pet 3 days ago and still can't find it.

4) I was working on my computer and it all went black and I lost all my data and documents.

5) I don't like my job but I am having trouble finding a new one.

6) One of the women who I work with hates me and is spreading horrible gossip about me.

7) I smoke too much and want to quit but every time I try I get really sick.

8) I don't want to go to college but my parents expect me to.

9) My brother is moving to a dangerous village in Africa and I don't want him to go because I'm scared of him.

10) I like a boy/gril who doesn't know and I'm too shy to ask how they feel.

11) One of the people I work with is making me crazy. they are always around and they are so loud.

12) I'm so bored and nothing seems to interest me or seem fun.

13) I'm having a hard time going to sleep at night.

14) I feel very lonely and like no one likes me.

15) My best friend spends too much money on clothes and never has enough to do anything with us.

16) I want to buy a new black berry now or real soon but don't have enough money.

17) I failed a really important exam and now don't think I can graduate.

REPORTED SPEECH PRACTICE

 

A STORY WITH PHRASAL VERBS

Here's a narrative full with phrasal verbs. Can you explain the meanings of all of them in English?

-SET OFF

-BREAK DOWN

-END UP

-GET OFF

-BUMP INTO

-BRING UP

-FIND OUT

-COME INTO

-SET UP

-SORT OUT

-TAKE ON

-TURN DOWN

-CLOCK IN

-HAVE A GO AT

-TELL OFF

-GET OVER

-MAKE UP FOR

-TURN OUT

-BLOW UP

-FALL THROUGH

-PULL OUT OF

-GET AWAY WITH

-LET DOWN

-GO ON

-RUN OUT OF

-ANSWER BACK

-PUT UP WITH

-LAY OFF

-GO AHEAD

-STORM OUT

-PUT THROUGH

-TAKE UP

-WORK OUT

USE OF ARTICLE BASIC CHART

Posting today a basic chart about the use of articles in English, together with a practice exercise. All from the British Council web.
All about articles & determiners on this blog in this link: HERE.

CLASSROOM VOCABULARY PRACTICE

Practice: name the different numbers with the correct word.

1-

2-

3-

4-

5-

6-

7-

8-

9-

10-

11-

12-

13-

14-

17-

18-