Robin Hood's grave dug up
KEY
KEY
1. CLAIM
2. AILING
3. GROUNDS
4. ARCHERY
5. PERFORMED
6. EDUCATED
7. LANDING
8. SUBSEQUENT
9. WHEREABOUTS
10. FANCIFUL
viernes, 13 de diciembre de 2013
Robin hood's grave dug up
Read the text and complete the chart below with a word from the list
that comes after the text. Every word can only be used ONCE. There are
FIVE words that you do not need to use. Question 0 has been answered as
an example.
Author Richard Rutherford-Moore, who has published two books about Robin Hood, bases the 1) __________ on research and a series of experiments with a bow and arrow.
According to most Robin Hood legends, the 2) __________ brigand determined his own burial site by shooting an arrow from his death bed.
He is said to have died in the gatehouse of Kirklees Priory, in West Yorkshire.
A monument in the privately owned 3) __________ is said to mark Robin Hood’s grave, but Mr Rutherford-Moore says it is impossible the bandit’s final arrow could have travelled the full 650 metres from the gatehouse.
Using measurements of the old priory building and his knowledge of 4) __________ in the 13th Century, Mr Rutherford-Moore fired 20 “test arrows” to re-enact the event.
He 5) __________ the experiment near his home in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, because it was unsafe to do so at Kirklees.
The tests were based on research and a number of “6) __________ assumptions”, such as the position of the former priory building relative to the bed, the type of bow being used and Robin Hood’s health at the time.
Based on his shots, Mr Rutherford-Moore believes he determined the probable arrow 7) __________ site to within a five-metre radius.
8) __________ research has shown bones were removed from an unmarked grave at that spot during estate improvement work in the mid-18th Century, he says.
The 9) __________ of those bones is unknown.
So if these bones were uncovered, were they the remains of history’s most famous bandit?
Earlier this year, a Cardiff-based academic announced that Robin Hood never existed, basing his conclusion on 20 years of study.
The idea of finding Robin Hood’s bones sounds 10) __________ and, by Mr Rutherford-Moore’s own admission, some of his research is based on legends dating back hundreds of years.
But it is also founded on legitimate research and the bones found at Kirklees 250 years ago may have been significant, he says.
Mr Rutherford-Moore says: “Bones were found when they were laying a lead pipe… and they are at the exact spot where I calculated an arrow would have landed.
“That is a pretty big coincidence.”
However, like any tale about Robin Hood, the truth will never be known for sure.
“You can never totally prove it, but people can make their own conclusions.”
Adapted from © BBC 2012
ROBIN HOOD’S GRAVE ‘DUG UP’
The bones of legendary 0) __________ Robin Hood may have been dug up in the mid-18th Century, according to a history buff.Author Richard Rutherford-Moore, who has published two books about Robin Hood, bases the 1) __________ on research and a series of experiments with a bow and arrow.
According to most Robin Hood legends, the 2) __________ brigand determined his own burial site by shooting an arrow from his death bed.
He is said to have died in the gatehouse of Kirklees Priory, in West Yorkshire.
A monument in the privately owned 3) __________ is said to mark Robin Hood’s grave, but Mr Rutherford-Moore says it is impossible the bandit’s final arrow could have travelled the full 650 metres from the gatehouse.
Using measurements of the old priory building and his knowledge of 4) __________ in the 13th Century, Mr Rutherford-Moore fired 20 “test arrows” to re-enact the event.
He 5) __________ the experiment near his home in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, because it was unsafe to do so at Kirklees.
The tests were based on research and a number of “6) __________ assumptions”, such as the position of the former priory building relative to the bed, the type of bow being used and Robin Hood’s health at the time.
Based on his shots, Mr Rutherford-Moore believes he determined the probable arrow 7) __________ site to within a five-metre radius.
8) __________ research has shown bones were removed from an unmarked grave at that spot during estate improvement work in the mid-18th Century, he says.
The 9) __________ of those bones is unknown.
So if these bones were uncovered, were they the remains of history’s most famous bandit?
Earlier this year, a Cardiff-based academic announced that Robin Hood never existed, basing his conclusion on 20 years of study.
The idea of finding Robin Hood’s bones sounds 10) __________ and, by Mr Rutherford-Moore’s own admission, some of his research is based on legends dating back hundreds of years.
But it is also founded on legitimate research and the bones found at Kirklees 250 years ago may have been significant, he says.
Mr Rutherford-Moore says: “Bones were found when they were laying a lead pipe… and they are at the exact spot where I calculated an arrow would have landed.
“That is a pretty big coincidence.”
However, like any tale about Robin Hood, the truth will never be known for sure.
“You can never totally prove it, but people can make their own conclusions.”
Adapted from © BBC 2012
AILING EDUCATED LANDING REALISTIC
ARCHERY FANCIFUL MEASUREMENTS SETTING
CARRIED FORMER OUTLAW SUBSEQUENT
CLAIM GROUNDS PERFORMED WHEREABOUTS
0. OUTLAWARCHERY FANCIFUL MEASUREMENTS SETTING
CARRIED FORMER OUTLAW SUBSEQUENT
CLAIM GROUNDS PERFORMED WHEREABOUTS
miércoles, 20 de noviembre de 2013
martes, 19 de noviembre de 2013
Test your English
If you want to see your knowlwdge in the language, you can have a try and do this 25-multiple-choice-question test ... and you will also know which is the most appropriate Cambridge Exam for you.
There's no time limit, but don't cheat!
jueves, 14 de noviembre de 2013
PODCASTS
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
http://www.eoioviedo.org/webteca/recursos%20ingles/listening.htm
.
Here you have a very useful link to practise listening comprehension. You may find audios and posdcasts at different lecels of difficulty.
Have a try and let me know how it goes.
http://www.eoioviedo.org/webteca/recursos%20ingles/listening.htm
.
Here you have a very useful link to practise listening comprehension. You may find audios and posdcasts at different lecels of difficulty.
Have a try and let me know how it goes.
WORD FORMATION
JOB INTERVIEWS
I’ve heard of really unusual interviews, where the interviewer starts
by lying down on the floor, and then waits for the person’s
_______________ (react) to his behaviour. Apparently, the successful
_______________ (apply) is the one who gets down on the floor and does
the same thing! First _______________ (impress) mean a lot to
interviewers, which can be very _______________ (fortune). In fact, one
consultant claims that words contribute a _______________ (proportion)
tiny 7% of the total message a person communicates, with tone of voice
making up a further 38%. The rest is non-verbal – body language,
_______________ (face) expression and clothes. You look for signs that
show someone is being less than _______________ (true): they may touch
their nose or scratch their ear, or start fiddling with a collar or tie.
Arms and legs are _______________ (possible) difficult to control when a
person is trying to mask emotions. This is known as _______________
(leak), so, for example, if someone crosses their arms or legs, it
suggests suppressed aggression.
From: Advanced Masterclass CAE
Aspinall, T. & Capel, A.
Oxford
miércoles, 13 de noviembre de 2013
THANKSGIVING
Work in pairs and using any search engine you want, try to answer as many questions as possible.
Historical facts
-What is Thanksgiving Day?
- and what is Black Friday?
- When is it celebrated?
- When was first celebrated and why? Who sat together and why?
- When is canadian Thanksgiving day celebrated?
- Who were "the saints", "the Strangers" and the "Pilgrim fathers"?
-What is the ship name thet travelled into?
- Where and when did they leave from?
- How long was the voyage?
- Where did they arrive? Which city and state did they found?
-Who was the first governor?
- Which American Indian tribes lived in the area?
- Who was Squanto?
- What is the National day of Mourning?
- When did this day become a national holiday, and which president took the decision?Find information about him.
Anecdotes
- What is the typical Thanksgibving food? Look for a recipe and write it out.
- Which sate is the biggest producer of that animal?
- How many Americn towns are named after Thanksgiving dinner? in which states are these towns?
-
When was the first national Football league's Thanksgiving Classic
played and which team hosted it? What was their purpose to host taht
game?
- Which president(s) has (have) spent Thanksgiving outside the USA, where, when and why?
Oral tasks
JOB INTERVIEW
Here you have an example of a job interview; you can use it as amodel for your second oral task; then, you have the roles (interviewer and interviewee) for you to make up a new dialogue, remmeber the model is not compulsory to follow, it's just a guideline.
Interviewee:
Good morning. Nice to meet you.
Interviewer:
So, tell me about yourself.
Interviewee:
Well, my name is Robin Smith. I graduated from Gloucester University in 2007 with a 2:1 in Mathematics. Although I was unemployed for around 3 years during that time I was volunteering in a local homeless shelter. This is where I realised I wanted to be a chef. Since January 2010, I have worked as a waiter in a restaurant whilst training to be a chef.
Interviewer:
OK, good. Thank you. What would you say your strengths are? Or your best skills?
Interviewee:
I have really good teamwork skills. I can communicate well and I am always happy to help or support others in the team that may be struggling.
Interviewer:
OK. So what is your major weakness?
Interviewee:
Well, probably my attention to detail. Although people may think this is a strength. I sometimes spend a little too much time making sure it is perfect.
Interviewer:
What are your career goals? Or future plans?
Interviewee:
I would really like to settle in this area and therefore I plan to work here for a few years. I could introduce new ideas to the menu and make this restaurant into something really unique that people in this area can get really excited about.
Interviewer:
What hours would be interested in undertaking?
In reality, however many you’re offering. I’m a bit of a workaholic.
Interviewer:
OK, this sounds good. I think I have asked all my questions. Do you have any questions for me?
Interviewee:
Yes, I just wondered if there were any benefits for working at your restaurant? In my last job we got free soft drinks and one free meal per shift.
Interviewer:
Yes, we offer the same. Well, if that’s it, thank you very much for coming today. We will be in touch.
Interviewee:
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
These are the roles you have; please, feel free to add any other trait you may think of.
Job Seeker
Your Name: Sam Spade
Work Experience: 2 years serving at a restaurant
Your Degree: Economics
Special Skills: Drivers License
Good Points: Funny, Communicative
Bad Points: Lazy
Employer:
Job Description: Cook
Job Salary: £10.00/hour
Promotions and Raises: 3% raise per year
Here you have an example of a job interview; you can use it as amodel for your second oral task; then, you have the roles (interviewer and interviewee) for you to make up a new dialogue, remmeber the model is not compulsory to follow, it's just a guideline.
Interviewer:
Good morning, Mr Smith. Thank
you for coming to meet me today. Please take a seat.Interviewee:
Good morning. Nice to meet you.
Interviewer:
So, tell me about yourself.
Interviewee:
Well, my name is Robin Smith. I graduated from Gloucester University in 2007 with a 2:1 in Mathematics. Although I was unemployed for around 3 years during that time I was volunteering in a local homeless shelter. This is where I realised I wanted to be a chef. Since January 2010, I have worked as a waiter in a restaurant whilst training to be a chef.
Interviewer:
OK, good. Thank you. What would you say your strengths are? Or your best skills?
Interviewee:
I have really good teamwork skills. I can communicate well and I am always happy to help or support others in the team that may be struggling.
Interviewer:
OK. So what is your major weakness?
Interviewee:
Well, probably my attention to detail. Although people may think this is a strength. I sometimes spend a little too much time making sure it is perfect.
Interviewer:
What are your career goals? Or future plans?
Interviewee:
I would really like to settle in this area and therefore I plan to work here for a few years. I could introduce new ideas to the menu and make this restaurant into something really unique that people in this area can get really excited about.
What hours would be interested in undertaking?
In reality, however many you’re offering. I’m a bit of a workaholic.
Interviewer:
OK, this sounds good. I think I have asked all my questions. Do you have any questions for me?
Interviewee:
Yes, I just wondered if there were any benefits for working at your restaurant? In my last job we got free soft drinks and one free meal per shift.
Interviewer:
Yes, we offer the same. Well, if that’s it, thank you very much for coming today. We will be in touch.
Interviewee:
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
These are the roles you have; please, feel free to add any other trait you may think of.
Your Name: Sam Spade
Work Experience: 2 years serving at a restaurant
Your Degree: Economics
Special Skills: Drivers License
Good Points: Funny, Communicative
Bad Points: Lazy
Job Description: Cook
Job Salary: £10.00/hour
Location: Downtown Restaurant
Benefits and
Incentives: Free dinnersPromotions and Raises: 3% raise per year
martes, 12 de noviembre de 2013
Fill in the gaps
For questions 1-6, read the following text and then choose from the list A – J the
best phrase given below to fill each of the spaces. Each correct phrase
may only be used once. Some of the suggested answers do not fit at all.
The exercise begins with an example.
TRAM-SURFING
A craze among young people for “tram-surfing” – holding on the
outside of moving carriages – has forced a city to redesign its fleet of
hi-tech vehicles.Manchester decided to take this action on the new extension of their system after youngsters were spotted tram-surfing 0) _____ J _____ through the city. The 32 trams will be sent back to the workshop to have an outside ledge [1]removed 1) __________.
‘We’re extremely concerned about this,’ said Jane Neraney, a spokeswoman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. The executive has sent representatives to schools 2) __________ the dangers, and promises a new classroom campaign in the autumn.
The sport is a version of the deadly train-surfing craze that first started in Brazil, where it claims up to 200 lives a year. Children and teenagers hold 3) __________ the trains, often at high speed, ducking under bridges and electric cables.
Train surfing came to Britain in the late 1980s with a series of horrific accidents and deaths on British Rail. A more recent outbreak was blamed on the hit movie Mission: Impossible, which had Tom Cruise 4) __________.
Tram-surfing has arrived 5) __________ the rebirth of streetcar systems in Sheffield, Birmingham and Croydon as well as Manchester.
In Sheffield, managers said rollerbladers had joined the surfers, hanging on to the back of the trams at 45kph. A police campaign seems 6) __________ that practice. In the latest outbreak in Manchester, children have been seen hanging on to vehicle mirrors. These examples of teenage bravado may appear gentler than the railway version, but the authorities are still extremely concerned at the prospect of death or injury.
A. to warn children of
B. preventing children from gaining a foothold
C. to be run over by a car
D. thanks to
E. travelling at only 35 kilometres per hour
F. on to the top or sides of
G. encouraging people to travel safely
H. climbing over train roofs
I. to have ended
J. as they sped
Taken from ©First Certificate Gold Practice Exams
[1] Ledge: a narrow shelf which sticks out from a vertical surface.
0. J
1. B
2. A
3. F
4. H
5. D
6. I
KEY
0. J
1. B
2. A
3. F
4. H
5. D
6. I
Read the text and complete the chart below with a word from the list
that comes after the text. Every word can only be used ONCE. There are
SEVEN words that you do not need to use. Question 0 has been answered as
an example.
Her passengers included some of the 4) __________ people in the world, as well as over a thousand emigrants from Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia and elsewhere seeking a new life in North America. The ship was designed to be the last word in comfort and luxury, with an on-board gymnasium, swimming pool, libraries, high-class restaurants and opulent cabins. She also had a powerful wireless telegraph provided for the convenience of passengers as well as for operational use. 5) __________ she had advanced safety features such as watertight compartments and remotely activated watertight doors, she lacked enough lifeboats to accommodate all of those aboard. Due to 6) __________ maritime safety regulations, she carried only enough lifeboats for 1,178 people – a third of her total passenger and crew capacity.
After leaving Southampton on 10 April 1912, Titanic called at Cherbourg in France and Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland before 7) __________ westwards towards New York. On 14 April 1912, four days into the crossing and about 375 miles south of Newfoundland, she hit an iceberg at 11:40 pm. The glancing [3]collision caused Titanic‘s hull plates to buckle [4]inwards in a number of locations on her starboard side and opened five of her sixteen watertight compartments to the sea. Over the next two and a half hours, the ship gradually filled with water and sank. Passengers and some crew members were evacuated in lifeboats, many of which were 8) __________ only partly filled. A disproportionate number of men – over 90% of those in Second Class – were left aboard due to a “women and children first” protocol followed by the officers loading the lifeboats. Just before 2:20 am Titanic broke up and sank bow-first with over a thousand people still on board. Those in the water died 9) __________ minutes from hypothermia caused by immersion in the freezing ocean. The 710 survivors were taken aboard from the lifeboats by the RMS Carpathia a few hours later.
The disaster was 10) __________ with worldwide shock and outrage at the huge loss of life and the regulatory and operational failures that had led to it. Public inquiries in Britain and the United States led to major improvements in maritime safety. One of their most important legacies was the establishment in 1914 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which still governs maritime safety today. Many of the survivors lost all of their money and possessions and were left 11) __________; many families, particularly those of crew members from Southampton, lost their primary 12) __________. They were helped by an outpouring of public sympathy and charitable donations. Some of the male survivors, notably the White Star Line’s chairman, J. Bruce Ismay, were accused of cowardice for leaving the ship while people were still on board, and they faced social ostracism.
The 13) __________ of the Titanic remains on the seabed, gradually disintegrating at a depth of 12,415 feet (3,784 m). Since its rediscovery in 1985, thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the sea bed and put on 14) __________ at museums around the world. Titanic has become one of the most famous ships in history, her memory kept alive by numerous books, films, exhibits and memorials.
TITANIC
RMS [1]Titanic was a British passenger liner [2]that
sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after 0)__________
with an iceberg during her 1) __________ voyage from Southampton,
England to New York City. The sinking of Titanic caused the
deaths of 1,514 people in one of the 2) __________ peacetime maritime
disasters in history. She was the largest ship afloat of the time. One
of three Olympic class ocean liners operated by the White Star
Line, she was built between 1909–11 by the Harland and Wolff 3)
__________ in Belfast. She carried 2,224 people.Her passengers included some of the 4) __________ people in the world, as well as over a thousand emigrants from Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia and elsewhere seeking a new life in North America. The ship was designed to be the last word in comfort and luxury, with an on-board gymnasium, swimming pool, libraries, high-class restaurants and opulent cabins. She also had a powerful wireless telegraph provided for the convenience of passengers as well as for operational use. 5) __________ she had advanced safety features such as watertight compartments and remotely activated watertight doors, she lacked enough lifeboats to accommodate all of those aboard. Due to 6) __________ maritime safety regulations, she carried only enough lifeboats for 1,178 people – a third of her total passenger and crew capacity.
After leaving Southampton on 10 April 1912, Titanic called at Cherbourg in France and Queenstown (now Cobh) in Ireland before 7) __________ westwards towards New York. On 14 April 1912, four days into the crossing and about 375 miles south of Newfoundland, she hit an iceberg at 11:40 pm. The glancing [3]collision caused Titanic‘s hull plates to buckle [4]inwards in a number of locations on her starboard side and opened five of her sixteen watertight compartments to the sea. Over the next two and a half hours, the ship gradually filled with water and sank. Passengers and some crew members were evacuated in lifeboats, many of which were 8) __________ only partly filled. A disproportionate number of men – over 90% of those in Second Class – were left aboard due to a “women and children first” protocol followed by the officers loading the lifeboats. Just before 2:20 am Titanic broke up and sank bow-first with over a thousand people still on board. Those in the water died 9) __________ minutes from hypothermia caused by immersion in the freezing ocean. The 710 survivors were taken aboard from the lifeboats by the RMS Carpathia a few hours later.
The disaster was 10) __________ with worldwide shock and outrage at the huge loss of life and the regulatory and operational failures that had led to it. Public inquiries in Britain and the United States led to major improvements in maritime safety. One of their most important legacies was the establishment in 1914 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which still governs maritime safety today. Many of the survivors lost all of their money and possessions and were left 11) __________; many families, particularly those of crew members from Southampton, lost their primary 12) __________. They were helped by an outpouring of public sympathy and charitable donations. Some of the male survivors, notably the White Star Line’s chairman, J. Bruce Ismay, were accused of cowardice for leaving the ship while people were still on board, and they faced social ostracism.
The 13) __________ of the Titanic remains on the seabed, gradually disintegrating at a depth of 12,415 feet (3,784 m). Since its rediscovery in 1985, thousands of artifacts have been recovered from the sea bed and put on 14) __________ at museums around the world. Titanic has become one of the most famous ships in history, her memory kept alive by numerous books, films, exhibits and memorials.
ANTIQUE DESTITUTE INAUGURAL OUTDATED THOUGH
BREADWINNERS DISPLAY LAUNCHED PRIME WEALTHIEST
COLLIDING GREETED LEADING SHIPYARD WITHIN
DEADLIEST HEADING MAIDEN TERRIFIC WRECK
BREADWINNERS DISPLAY LAUNCHED PRIME WEALTHIEST
COLLIDING GREETED LEADING SHIPYARD WITHIN
DEADLIEST HEADING MAIDEN TERRIFIC WRECK
lunes, 11 de noviembre de 2013
UNREAL SITUATIONS
I WISH / IF ONLY
There are four types of I wish / If only sentences.
1. A regret that a present, future or general situation is not what you would like it to be:
I wish / If only + S + Past
- I wish I were rich. (I am not)
- I wish it didn’t rain tomorrow.
2. A regret that sth happened or didn’t happen in the past.
I wish / If only + S + Past Perfect
- I wish I had already started studying for the exam. (I have not)
- I wish I had been able to go to the concert.
3. A desire for someone or something to change or to do or stop doing something.
This type of I wish sentence expresses some kind of ANNOYANCE.
I wish + S + WOULD + V
- I wish you wouldn’t smoke so much.
- I wish the children would be quiet.
NOTE: You CANNOT use WOULD when the subject of the subordinate clause is the same as the subject of the main clause.
4. A wish that sb was able to do sth which they can’t do.
I wish + S + COULD + V
- I wish I could give up smoking.
- I wish I could play the piano.
BINOMINALS
As we have already studied in class, binominals are very frequent in English. Practising them and using them when you speak will help you sound more natural.
Here are ten common English expressions, along with an explanation and example sentence.
Black and white
Dos and don'ts
Haves and have nots
Ins and outs
Kiss and tell
Odds and ends
P's and Q's
Pros and cons
Rights and wrongs
Tried and tested
black and white = something which is extremely clear: "He told her in black and white that she couldn't leave the house while he was out."
dos and don'ts = the rules: "There are various do's and don'ts about driving in the UK."
haves and have nots = people who are rich and those who are not: "In London you can find the haves and have nots of the population."
ins and outs = the details: "I don't know the ins and outs of the situation, so I can't really advise you."
kiss and tell = when someone sells a story of themselves and a famous person: "The British tabloids are famous for publishing kiss and tell stories."
odds and ends = small pieces of various items: "She made a stew with the odds and ends she found in the fridge."
P's and Q's = manners (such as please and thank you): "Mind your P's and Q's when you visit them!"
pros and cons = advantages and disadvantages: "There are a few pros and cons that we should consider before buying a new house."
rights and wrongs = all the good points and bad points of a situation: "Regardless of the rights and wrongs of company policy, you need to give a month's notice."
tried and tested = something which has been well tested: "Using salt is a tried and tested way of getting red wine out of a carpet."
Here are ten more expressions:
Ups and downs
Come and go
Back and forth
Dribs and drabs
Said and done
Cat and mouse
Trial and error
Flesh and blood
Down and out
By and large
ups and downs = very good times and very bad times: "They have a lot of ups and downs in their relationship."
come and go = use somewhere as your base: "Feel free to come and go as you please!"
back and forth = not to stay still, but to keep travelling between two places: "I'm so glad I'm moving. I was getting sick of going back and forth every day. Now my journey to work will be a lot quicker."
dribs and drabs = not a steady amount of something: "The marathon runners finished in dribs and drabs."
said and done = to have the final word on something: "When it's all said and done, the new reception area is going to be a credit to the company."
cat and mouse = doing something in the same way that a cat plays with a mouse: "The guerillas played a cat and mouse game with the much better-equipped army."
trial and error = to do something new by making experiments and occasionally failing: "The new computer system has been installed. But it's a bit trial and error at the moment – nobody really knows how to use it."
flesh and blood = your family: "I have to help him if I can – he's my flesh and blood."
down and out = someone who has no money at all who has to live on the street: "There are too many young down and outs in London."
by and large = generally: "By and large, our customers prefer good service to low prices."
And a further ten expressions:
Up and running = in operation: "The new company is now up and running."
Noughts and crosses = a game where you take it in turns to put your symbol (either a nought or a cross) into one of nine spaces. The idea is to have a row of either three noughts or three crosses, but your opponent tries to block you. The game looks like this:
O X O
X O X
X O X
Bring and buy = a fair where people try to raise money for a cause by bringing something that other people might want to buy: "I'm making a cake for the school's bring and buy next week."
Hide and seek = a children's game where one child hides and the others try to find him / her: "Someone's been playing hide and seek with the TV remote control again!"
Around and about = a vague phrase to avoid saying where you have been exactly: "Where have you been – I've been worried!"
"Oh, around and about, you know."
To and fro = another way of saying "back and forth": "I'm exhausted – I've been going to and fro all week!"
Over and out = something you say to show you have come to the end of your message: "The last thing they heard from the pilot was 'over and out'."
Done and dusted = properly finished: "Well, that's this project done and dusted. We need a holiday now."
Dead and buried = something that will not happen: "That idea is now dead and buried – the Executive Committee decided some time ago to go with another proposal."
Wine and dine = to entertain someone lavishly: "He's well-known for wining and dining his business partners."
Bread and butter = your main source of income, or the most important issue: "Health and education are the bread and butter issues facing the UK government."
Spick and span = very tidy and clean: "Her house is spick and span at all times."
Wheel and deal = to make deals when buying and selling things: "If you need a new car, try speaking to John. He's a bit of a wheeler and dealer!"
Here are ten common English expressions, along with an explanation and example sentence.
Black and white
Dos and don'ts
Haves and have nots
Ins and outs
Kiss and tell
Odds and ends
P's and Q's
Pros and cons
Rights and wrongs
Tried and tested
black and white = something which is extremely clear: "He told her in black and white that she couldn't leave the house while he was out."
dos and don'ts = the rules: "There are various do's and don'ts about driving in the UK."
haves and have nots = people who are rich and those who are not: "In London you can find the haves and have nots of the population."
ins and outs = the details: "I don't know the ins and outs of the situation, so I can't really advise you."
kiss and tell = when someone sells a story of themselves and a famous person: "The British tabloids are famous for publishing kiss and tell stories."
odds and ends = small pieces of various items: "She made a stew with the odds and ends she found in the fridge."
P's and Q's = manners (such as please and thank you): "Mind your P's and Q's when you visit them!"
pros and cons = advantages and disadvantages: "There are a few pros and cons that we should consider before buying a new house."
rights and wrongs = all the good points and bad points of a situation: "Regardless of the rights and wrongs of company policy, you need to give a month's notice."
tried and tested = something which has been well tested: "Using salt is a tried and tested way of getting red wine out of a carpet."
Here are ten more expressions:
Ups and downs
Come and go
Back and forth
Dribs and drabs
Said and done
Cat and mouse
Trial and error
Flesh and blood
Down and out
By and large
ups and downs = very good times and very bad times: "They have a lot of ups and downs in their relationship."
come and go = use somewhere as your base: "Feel free to come and go as you please!"
back and forth = not to stay still, but to keep travelling between two places: "I'm so glad I'm moving. I was getting sick of going back and forth every day. Now my journey to work will be a lot quicker."
dribs and drabs = not a steady amount of something: "The marathon runners finished in dribs and drabs."
said and done = to have the final word on something: "When it's all said and done, the new reception area is going to be a credit to the company."
cat and mouse = doing something in the same way that a cat plays with a mouse: "The guerillas played a cat and mouse game with the much better-equipped army."
trial and error = to do something new by making experiments and occasionally failing: "The new computer system has been installed. But it's a bit trial and error at the moment – nobody really knows how to use it."
flesh and blood = your family: "I have to help him if I can – he's my flesh and blood."
down and out = someone who has no money at all who has to live on the street: "There are too many young down and outs in London."
by and large = generally: "By and large, our customers prefer good service to low prices."
And a further ten expressions:
Up and running = in operation: "The new company is now up and running."
Noughts and crosses = a game where you take it in turns to put your symbol (either a nought or a cross) into one of nine spaces. The idea is to have a row of either three noughts or three crosses, but your opponent tries to block you. The game looks like this:
O X O
X O X
X O X
Bring and buy = a fair where people try to raise money for a cause by bringing something that other people might want to buy: "I'm making a cake for the school's bring and buy next week."
Hide and seek = a children's game where one child hides and the others try to find him / her: "Someone's been playing hide and seek with the TV remote control again!"
Around and about = a vague phrase to avoid saying where you have been exactly: "Where have you been – I've been worried!"
"Oh, around and about, you know."
To and fro = another way of saying "back and forth": "I'm exhausted – I've been going to and fro all week!"
Over and out = something you say to show you have come to the end of your message: "The last thing they heard from the pilot was 'over and out'."
Done and dusted = properly finished: "Well, that's this project done and dusted. We need a holiday now."
Dead and buried = something that will not happen: "That idea is now dead and buried – the Executive Committee decided some time ago to go with another proposal."
Wine and dine = to entertain someone lavishly: "He's well-known for wining and dining his business partners."
Bread and butter = your main source of income, or the most important issue: "Health and education are the bread and butter issues facing the UK government."
Spick and span = very tidy and clean: "Her house is spick and span at all times."
Wheel and deal = to make deals when buying and selling things: "If you need a new car, try speaking to John. He's a bit of a wheeler and dealer!"
domingo, 3 de noviembre de 2013
Guy Fawk's Night
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Guy
Fawkes Night is a (1) ____ British celebration. It celebrates a failed attempt
to blow up the Houses of Parliament (that’s where Big Ben is) in London. This
was (2) ____ one of the first examples of terrorism, only it didn’t work. It
all happened on November the (3) ____, 1605. A group of Catholics who were
unhappy with their Protestant rulers wanted to bring the government (4) ____.
Their leader was a man called Guy Fawkes and his plan was called the Gunpowder
Plot. Fortunately, some passers-(5) ____ saw Guy Fawkes and his followers with
the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was arrested. He was put on a bonfire and burned to
(6) ____. In Britain and former British colonies, this day is also called
Bonfire Night.
Bonfire
Night is perhaps the biggest outdoor (7) ____ in Britain. Unfortunately, it is
in winter and takes place at night. You have to (8) ____ the cold, but it is a
happy occasion. Every town and village puts on a fireworks display. There is
usually a large bonfire in the middle of the town. People gather (9) ____ it to
watch the fireworks and eat traditional Guy Fawkes Night food. Baked potatoes
and toffee apples are the most popular treats. There is usually a mock guy on
the bonfire to (10) ____ the real one that died 400 years ago. Many families
have smaller celebrations and will have their (11) ____, private fireworks
display in their garden. There are many warnings to be careful because every
year, children are (12) ____ in fireworks accidents.
Fill in the gaps in the article with the correct option.
1.
|
(a)
|
lots
|
(b)
|
very
|
(c)
|
much
|
(d)
|
lot
of
|
2.
|
(a)
|
probably
|
(b)
|
probability
|
(c)
|
probable
|
(d)
|
problem
|
3.
|
(a)
|
five
|
(b)
|
fifty
|
(c)
|
fifth
|
(d)
|
fiftieth
|
4.
|
(a)
|
up
|
(b)
|
on
|
(c)
|
in
|
(d)
|
down
|
5.
|
(a)
|
up
|
(b)
|
along
|
(c)
|
by
|
(d)
|
through
|
6.
|
(a)
|
dead
|
(b)
|
death
|
(c)
|
die
|
(d)
|
dying
|
7.
|
(a)
|
celebration
|
(b)
|
celebrates
|
(c)
|
celebrated
|
(d)
|
celebratory
|
8.
|
(a)
|
brave
|
(b)
|
braves
|
(c)
|
bravery
|
(d)
|
braved
|
9.
|
(a)
|
to
|
(b)
|
on
|
(c)
|
in
|
(d)
|
at
|
10.
|
(a)
|
send
|
(b)
|
sent
|
(c)
|
represent
|
(d)
|
present
|
11.
|
(a)
|
owner
|
(b)
|
own
|
(c)
|
owns
|
(d)
|
owned
|
12.
|
(a)
|
injury
|
(b)
|
injuries
|
(c)
|
injuring
|
(d)
|
injured
|
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