Brain Teasers

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

Enjoy this short story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Poppy Day

Why do people wear poppies on 11th November?
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour became a symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

Irregular Verbs

Practise the correct pronunciation of irregular verbs. Click here

Once you believe that you know the irregular verbs, it is time to practise them. Here there are two games to practise. Click on the link and have fun while learning:
http://www.engames.eu/irregular-verbs/

Both, either, neither, all, none

ADJECTIVES OR PRONOUNS
1. If we have two people or things in mind, we use both, neither, either
    a) both means 'one and the other'. It takes a plural verb.

Both of my parents like reading.

Both parents went to the meeting.

Both of them are teachers.

Both banks of the river were very dirty.

She has two children. Both are very clever.

They both live in a huge house.

I like them both/both of them.

     b) neither means 'not one and not the other'. It takes an affirmative singular verb (formal) or a plural verb.

Neither of them helped the old lady.

Neither of them drinks coffee. 

Which one did you buy? Neither

     c) either means 'anyone of two'. It takes a negative verb.

'Did you like his two books?' 'No, I didn't like either (of them)'

 He didn’t sing either of the songs.

2. If we have more than two, we use none and all. 

    a) None can be used with an uncountable and countable (plural) nouns 

None of this farming land belongs to them

‘Which of this farming land belongs to them?’ ‘None (of it)

 'Which of these books have you read?' 'None (of them)     

None of these ballpoint pens work(s).

They didn’t buy any of the vases.

All of them took the pedestrian crossing.

     b) With All we use a singular verb if they come before uncountable nouns; and a plural verb, before plural nouns.

All (of) the money is on the table.

All (of) the flowers are dying.

All of the children love pineapples.

All the children have got hepatitis.

All children need to play.

All of them love their mother country. 

They all/All of them killed time reading magazines. 

'Which miniskirts do you like best?’    ‘I like them all/all of them.

CONJUNCTIONS

1. Both...and

He has both the time and the money to play golf.

She can both swim and dive.

They were both clever and beautiful. 

2. Either ... or 

We can drink either tea or coffee. (We can choose tea or coffee)

3. Neither...nor

We can drink neither tea nor coffee. (We won't drink coffee or tea)

ACTIVITIES 

Exercises (agendaweb) 

Choose the correct option 

Gap-fill Exercise 

Modal Verbs (Simple Forms)

Modal	Meaning	Example
Can Can’t	- to express ability - to request permission - to give and deny permission - to express an option - To express certainty (1%)	I can speak a little Russian. Can I open the window? Yes, you can. No, you can’t You can choose any of them. He can’t be his brother.
could	- to express ability in the past - To ask for permission (polite/formal) - To make a suggestion - To express little possibility	She could speak at the age of 2. Could I borrow your car? We could go to the cinema. He could be his brother…
May/might May	- to express possibility - to request permission (formal)	I may / might be home late. May I come in?
Will	- to express predictions (future) - to express decisions (made now) - to express offers - to make a request - to make a promise	I think you’ll be happy. Ok. I’ll phone him. Don’t worry! I’ll help you do it. Will you pay for this, please? I’ll go to the match!
Shall	- to express offers - to suggest something	Shall I help you? Shall we stay at home?
Must	- to express obligation (speaker’s orders) - to express strong recommendation - To express certainty   (99%)	I must go now. He must study it.  You must read it. It’s very good. He must live in this house.
Mustn’t	- to express prohibition	He mustn’t come to my house.
should	- to give advice	You should stop smoking.
Needn’t = Don’t/doesn’t have to	- To express no obligation, no necessity - to express an option	She needn’t write it. She doesn’t have to write it.  They don’t have to write it.
would	- to invite /offer	Would you like a cup of tea?

Modal verbs are unlike other verbs. They do not change their form (spelling) and they have no infinitive or participle. The modals must and can need substitute verbs to express obligation, ability or permission in the different tenses. Here are some examples:

                                                         MUST

Past simple	Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my math test.
Present perfect	She has had to return home at short notice.
Future	You'll have to work hard if you want to pass the exams.
Infinitive	I don't want to have to go.

                                                          CAN

Past simple	I couldn't/wasn't able to walk until I was 3 years old. (ability) They weren’t allowed to get into the club. (permission)
Present perfect	I haven't been able to solve this problem. Can you help me? (ability)) We haven’t been allowed to speak at the meeting.  (permission)
Future	I'm not sure if I will be able to come to your party. (ability) I’m not sure if I will be allowed to stay out late. (permission)
Infinitive	I would love to be able to play the piano. (ability) I don’t want to be allowed to smoke at home. (permission)

Exercises

Guy Fawkes

"Guy Fawkes is an infamous British historical figure who for tried to blow up the British government. Guy Fawkes is still remembered today, every November the 5th British people celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in memory of this man who nearly changed London and Great Britain for everyone!" (Funky English)

Click here to read the rest of the text and do the quiz

 The Gunpowder Game
(BBC English)
 Listening-Comprehension and Quiz
(kico4u)