Tuesday, December 16, 2014
A2. Grammar Topics
A2 Vocabulary Topics
Vocabulary learning tips
Practise for A2 tests
Read as much as possible.
If you come across a word you don't know, write it down or look it up.
Use a dictionary.
Think of ways of remembering words. Do they sound like a word in your own language?
Remember words are often used together with other words. Try to learn these 'collocations'.
Practise for A2 tests
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The First Conditional. Forms
Conditional Sentences Type I (likely)
Condition refers to:
|
IF Clause
|
Main Clause
|
||
future
action
|
Simple
Present
|
If the book is interesting, …
|
Future I
|
…I will
buy it.
|
Imperative
|
…buy it.
|
|||
Modal
Auxiliary
|
…you can
buy it.
|
|||
action
going on now
|
Present
Progressive
|
If he is
snoring, …
|
Future I
|
…I will wake him up.
|
Imperative
|
…wake him
up.
|
|||
Modal
Auxiliary
|
…you can wake him up.
|
|||
finished
action
|
Present
Perfect
|
If he has moved into his new flat, …
|
Future I
|
…we will
visit him.
|
Imperative
|
…visit
him.
|
|||
Modal
Auxiliary
|
…we can
visit him.
|
|||
improbable
action
|
should +
Infinitive
|
If she should win this race, …
|
Future I
|
…I will
congratulate her.
|
Imperative
|
…congratulate
her.
|
|||
Modal
Auxiliary
|
…we can
congratulate her.
|
|||
present
facts
|
Simple
Present
|
If he gets what he wants, …
|
Simple
Present
|
…he is
very nice.
|
(source: ego4U)
Zero Conditional
The zero conditional is for stating what the speaker regards as fact, it describes what happens in general.
FORM
1 If + condition + result:
If + present simple (condition clause) , present simple (result clause)
If you freeze water , it becomes ice.
If you mix water and oil , they separate.
2 Result + if + condition:
Present simple (result clause) if + present simple (condition clause)
They always bring a present if they come home.
People die if they don't eat.
We can also use when/whenever instead of if
When you heat water, it boils.
Water boils when you heat it.
FORM
1 If + condition + result:
If + present simple (condition clause) , present simple (result clause)
If you freeze water , it becomes ice.
If you mix water and oil , they separate.
2 Result + if + condition:
Present simple (result clause) if + present simple (condition clause)
They always bring a present if they come home.
People die if they don't eat.
We can also use when/whenever instead of if
When you heat water, it boils.
Water boils when you heat it.
EXERCISES
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
The Signs of The Zodiac. Describing a person's character.
Whether you believe in horoscopes or not, they do provide twelve standard character types which can be useful if you need to describe someone's personality. You may have to describe a person's character in either the written or the speaking part of the exam. The vocabulary will be useful for any part of the First Certificate Examination and indeed for any exam.
The Signs of The Zodiac
ARIES (21 March 20 April) is the first sign of the zodiac and is innocent and immediate. S/he is motivated by seIf-interest and is, above all, active. Aries' innocence means that s/he is idealist but, at the same time, tactless and rude. His/her immediacy can mean that Aries is rash and clumsy. Since Aries is a doer, s/he is usually ambitious, adventurous, enthusiastic, outgoing and competitive. However, Aries' self-interest can mean that s/he is self-centred and ruthless. Above all, Aries is a straight-forward person.
TAURUS (21 April - 20 May) is the least spiritual of star signs. S/he tends to be possessive and materialistic. In a good sense this may mean that Taurus is stable and level-headed and, as a lover, s/he can be affectionate and even passionate. However, at times s/he can become taciturn and selfish.
GEMINI (21 May 20 June) is all about curiosity and communication. Gemini tends to be quick-witted, resourceful, extrovert, rebellious and communicative. Gemini has an independent spirit. However, s/he can sometimes seem two-faced, superficial, hypocritical, dishonest and even unscrupulous.
CANCER (21 June - 21 July) likes emotional security. Cancer's maternal instinct means that s/he is protective, nostalgic, sentimental and sensitive. When Cancer feels threatened s/he can be aggressive. On the negative side, Cancer is capable of being fickle, whimsical and immature. Nevertheless, s/he can be imaginative.
LEO (22 July - 21 August) is a creative and dominant star sign. S/he is self-assured and proud. At times, s/he can be immodest and even arrogant. To some people Leo may come across as bossy, boastful and pompous. Indeed, Leo can be very vain and often gullible in the face of flattery. On the other hand, s/he can be sociable, magnanimous and tolerant. As a friend, Leo is generous, considerate and, above all, loyal. As a lover, s/he can be sensitive and passionate. Leo is a hedonist and loves the good things in life, but at the same time s/he is usually disciplined.
VIRGO (22 August - 21 September) is adaptable. On the one hand, Virgo is servile, obedient, shy and humble. On the other, Virgo is very analytical and practical. S/he is rational, logical and methodical, though sometimes a little sceptical. Virgo is also hardworking. At the same time, Virgo is a perfectionist. When s/he applies this characteristic to the work and habits of others, Virgo can be demanding, picky, and petty. Despite this, Virgo is generally a good friend since s/he is honest, truthful and reliable.
LIBRA (22 September - 22 October) is balanced - harmony and beauty are important to her/him. S/he is generally easy-going and carefree. People sopmetimes think that this attitude to life is because Libra is lazy. Libra is often intellectual and inquisitive. On a good day, Libra is charming, however, s/he can also be spiteful.
SCORPIO (23 October- 21 November) can be either spiritual or scatological. S/he is energetic and strong-willed. Taken to an extreme, Scorpio can become authoritarian, intolerant and narrow-minded. However, if Scorpio's ideas conflict with the established authority, s/he will be rebellious and undisciplined. Scorpio's conflictive nature means that s/he is at times aggressive, and even sadistic. Scorpio is often self-destructive. Even if these extremes are not reached, Scorpio is often irritable. If Scorpio is aware of his/her conflictive nature, s/he may become withdrawn. In any case, s/he is always forthright and never insincere.
SAGITTARIUS (22 November -20 December) is a visionary and an optimist. S/he is energetic, enthusiastic, forthright and open but these characteristics can also mean that Sagittarius can be tactless and hot-blooded. S/he can be playful and light-hearted but his/her time is also spent in the serious pursuit of meaning and freedom.
CAPRICORN (21 December - 19 January) is a control-freak. S/he is determined, disciplined and ambitious. As a controller Capricorn is usually sensible, patient, stable and thoughtfuI. However, s/he can also be pessimistic and even moody.
AQUARIUS (20 January - 18 February) likes groups. S/he is humane and is often gentle, compassionate and understanding. S/he is intellectual but also idealist and spiritual. At the same time, s/he can be unpredictable and eccentric. Aquarius is usually lively but can also be stubborn a times.
PISCES (19 February 20 March) is humane, generous and even sometimes selfless. However, s/he is also capable of being emotional and temperamental. This means that Pisces often comes across as unstable, fickle and weak-willed. Pisces is very sensitive and, at times, impressionable. Her/his sensitivity can mean that s/he is melancholic.
GLOSSARY
The Signs of The Zodiac
ARIES (21 March 20 April) is the first sign of the zodiac and is innocent and immediate. S/he is motivated by seIf-interest and is, above all, active. Aries' innocence means that s/he is idealist but, at the same time, tactless and rude. His/her immediacy can mean that Aries is rash and clumsy. Since Aries is a doer, s/he is usually ambitious, adventurous, enthusiastic, outgoing and competitive. However, Aries' self-interest can mean that s/he is self-centred and ruthless. Above all, Aries is a straight-forward person.
TAURUS (21 April - 20 May) is the least spiritual of star signs. S/he tends to be possessive and materialistic. In a good sense this may mean that Taurus is stable and level-headed and, as a lover, s/he can be affectionate and even passionate. However, at times s/he can become taciturn and selfish.
GEMINI (21 May 20 June) is all about curiosity and communication. Gemini tends to be quick-witted, resourceful, extrovert, rebellious and communicative. Gemini has an independent spirit. However, s/he can sometimes seem two-faced, superficial, hypocritical, dishonest and even unscrupulous.
CANCER (21 June - 21 July) likes emotional security. Cancer's maternal instinct means that s/he is protective, nostalgic, sentimental and sensitive. When Cancer feels threatened s/he can be aggressive. On the negative side, Cancer is capable of being fickle, whimsical and immature. Nevertheless, s/he can be imaginative.
LEO (22 July - 21 August) is a creative and dominant star sign. S/he is self-assured and proud. At times, s/he can be immodest and even arrogant. To some people Leo may come across as bossy, boastful and pompous. Indeed, Leo can be very vain and often gullible in the face of flattery. On the other hand, s/he can be sociable, magnanimous and tolerant. As a friend, Leo is generous, considerate and, above all, loyal. As a lover, s/he can be sensitive and passionate. Leo is a hedonist and loves the good things in life, but at the same time s/he is usually disciplined.
VIRGO (22 August - 21 September) is adaptable. On the one hand, Virgo is servile, obedient, shy and humble. On the other, Virgo is very analytical and practical. S/he is rational, logical and methodical, though sometimes a little sceptical. Virgo is also hardworking. At the same time, Virgo is a perfectionist. When s/he applies this characteristic to the work and habits of others, Virgo can be demanding, picky, and petty. Despite this, Virgo is generally a good friend since s/he is honest, truthful and reliable.
LIBRA (22 September - 22 October) is balanced - harmony and beauty are important to her/him. S/he is generally easy-going and carefree. People sopmetimes think that this attitude to life is because Libra is lazy. Libra is often intellectual and inquisitive. On a good day, Libra is charming, however, s/he can also be spiteful.
SCORPIO (23 October- 21 November) can be either spiritual or scatological. S/he is energetic and strong-willed. Taken to an extreme, Scorpio can become authoritarian, intolerant and narrow-minded. However, if Scorpio's ideas conflict with the established authority, s/he will be rebellious and undisciplined. Scorpio's conflictive nature means that s/he is at times aggressive, and even sadistic. Scorpio is often self-destructive. Even if these extremes are not reached, Scorpio is often irritable. If Scorpio is aware of his/her conflictive nature, s/he may become withdrawn. In any case, s/he is always forthright and never insincere.
SAGITTARIUS (22 November -20 December) is a visionary and an optimist. S/he is energetic, enthusiastic, forthright and open but these characteristics can also mean that Sagittarius can be tactless and hot-blooded. S/he can be playful and light-hearted but his/her time is also spent in the serious pursuit of meaning and freedom.
CAPRICORN (21 December - 19 January) is a control-freak. S/he is determined, disciplined and ambitious. As a controller Capricorn is usually sensible, patient, stable and thoughtfuI. However, s/he can also be pessimistic and even moody.
AQUARIUS (20 January - 18 February) likes groups. S/he is humane and is often gentle, compassionate and understanding. S/he is intellectual but also idealist and spiritual. At the same time, s/he can be unpredictable and eccentric. Aquarius is usually lively but can also be stubborn a times.
PISCES (19 February 20 March) is humane, generous and even sometimes selfless. However, s/he is also capable of being emotional and temperamental. This means that Pisces often comes across as unstable, fickle and weak-willed. Pisces is very sensitive and, at times, impressionable. Her/his sensitivity can mean that s/he is melancholic.
GLOSSARY
Audio Greetings Matching Sentences Exercise Game
This is a game to help practice greetings sentences.
Prepositions
- Prepositions Exercise 1(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 2(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 3(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 4(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 5 (Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 6(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise7(Intermediate)
- Prepositions Exercise 8(Intermediate)
- Prepositions of time Exercise 9 (High Beginner - Intermediate)
- Prepositions of time Exercise 10 (High Beginner - Intermediate)
- For vs. Since (Intermediate)
Pronouns
Pronouns
- Pronouns (tutorial & exercise)
- Pronouns (exercise - high beginner - intermediate)
- Pronouns 2 (exercise - high beginner - intermediate)
- Pronouns 3 (exercise - high beginner - intermediate)
- Reflexive Pronouns (tutorial & exercise)
- Reflexive Pronouns (exercise - intermediate)
- Relative Pronouns(exercise - intermediate)
- Indefinite Pronouns (exercise - intermediate)
- Possessive Pronouns (exercise - beginner)
- Its vs. It's (beginner - intermediate)
- Their vs. They're vs. There (beginner - intermediate)
- Your vs. You're (beginner - intermediate)
Sound Contrast
Listen to the difference between the consonant and vowel sounds in the following pairs of words. Then test your ability to hear the difference between them.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Daily Routines
Click here to do the activities.
1. Learn the Vocabulary
2. Match the Words with the Pictures.
3. Match the pictures with the sounds
4. Crossword
1. Learn the Vocabulary
2. Match the Words with the Pictures.
3. Match the pictures with the sounds
4. Crossword
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