How about practising key word transformations?
Just click on: http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/strtest1.htm
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Flo-Joe link - Paper 1 - Part 3
Would you like to practise for Paper 1 - Part 3 a bit more?
Just click on the link below:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/1part3.htm
Just click on the link below:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/1part3.htm
Flo-Joe link - Multiple choice Cloze
Would you like to practise Multiple Choice Cloze? Just click on this link:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/read1p1.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/read1p1.htm
Which one word fits all three sentences? (Flo-Joe)
1. I didn't have the ........ to tell the children the party had been postponed.
2. He's learnt all the key dates by ........ and is quite confident about the test.
3. In the ........ of the city there's a brilliant Japanese restaurant.
2. He's learnt all the key dates by ........ and is quite confident about the test.
3. In the ........ of the city there's a brilliant Japanese restaurant.
Word Formation - SICK (Flo-Joe)
1. It was a ........ foul and the player fully deserved to be sent off.
2. He was quite a ........ child and spent a lot of time off school.
3. I've always suffered from sea ........ but lately it seems to have disappeared.
2. He was quite a ........ child and spent a lot of time off school.
3. I've always suffered from sea ........ but lately it seems to have disappeared.
Choose the correct answer (Flo-Joe)
It was my teacher's talent for art that ........ me on to take up a similar career.
a) led b)spurred c) pushed d) pulled
a) led b)spurred c) pushed d) pulled
Sunday, 4 July 2010
What's the single word that can fill each of these gapped sentences?
Whisk the milk into the flour until it has a ......... consistency without any lumps whatsoever.
Many students find the transition from school to university less than ........, especially if they are away from their families for the first time.
I don't trust that car salesman. He's far too ........ for my liking!
Many students find the transition from school to university less than ........, especially if they are away from their families for the first time.
I don't trust that car salesman. He's far too ........ for my liking!
Flo-Joe tips
NEWSLETTER TIP OF THE WEEK: Writing a Great Introduction!
It is often very difficult to start writing simply because you don't know what to say in the first sentence. It is this first sentence that is so important as it is the reader's introduction to you and your piece of writing. One way to start an article like this and - one that will get the reader's attention - is to start with a question. The following are examples:
"You have been asked to write an article for your school magazine on the advantages of learning a second language".
1 "Have you ever considered the benefits of being able to speak a second language?"
2 "What will your chances of promotion be like at work?
3 "Improve you job prospects, get more from your holidays, and create even more interest in your life! Does this sound good to you?
Because these questions are directed at the reader they have a much greater chance of grabbing attention. The introduction could continue by introducing the points you are going to look at. For example:
"Have you ever considered the benefits of being able to speak a second language? Your career prospects will improve, it's a great way to meet people from other countries and it will challenge your mind."
It is often very difficult to start writing simply because you don't know what to say in the first sentence. It is this first sentence that is so important as it is the reader's introduction to you and your piece of writing. One way to start an article like this and - one that will get the reader's attention - is to start with a question. The following are examples:
"You have been asked to write an article for your school magazine on the advantages of learning a second language".
1 "Have you ever considered the benefits of being able to speak a second language?"
2 "What will your chances of promotion be like at work?
3 "Improve you job prospects, get more from your holidays, and create even more interest in your life! Does this sound good to you?
Because these questions are directed at the reader they have a much greater chance of grabbing attention. The introduction could continue by introducing the points you are going to look at. For example:
"Have you ever considered the benefits of being able to speak a second language? Your career prospects will improve, it's a great way to meet people from other countries and it will challenge your mind."
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Which one word can be used to complete all of the following three sentences?
1. She caught a/an ______ flight to Edinburgh because it was much faster than going there by train or road.
2. The man who was attacked by thugs sustained some horrific ______ injuries in addition to severe bruising.
3. Has everyone seen the chairman's _______ memo? It was sent to the whole department last week.
Cheers,
2. The man who was attacked by thugs sustained some horrific ______ injuries in addition to severe bruising.
3. Has everyone seen the chairman's _______ memo? It was sent to the whole department last week.
Cheers,
World Cup headlines
G'day mates!
I'm here to share with something I read about England's fiasco, I mean, the English goalkeeper fiasco!
Have a look at the article! Lots of new words.
"Squirm"??
Cheers!
Read the article here: http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/180674
I'm here to share with something I read about England's fiasco, I mean, the English goalkeeper fiasco!
Have a look at the article! Lots of new words.
"Squirm"??
Cheers!
WORLD CUP 2010: ROBERT GREEN SQUIRMS AS ENGLAND FLOP IN USA GAME
Read the article here: http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/180674
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Television is a drug
Hi mates,
The inspiration of this video comes from Todd Alcott's poem, Television.
In this video you can see one of the expressions dealt in class. Which one is that?
I hope you enjoy the video.
Cheers!
The inspiration of this video comes from Todd Alcott's poem, Television.
In this video you can see one of the expressions dealt in class. Which one is that?
I hope you enjoy the video.
Cheers!
Television is a drug. from Beth Fulton on Vimeo.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Frequently Asked Questions - Reading
Can computers spot when a candidate has made a mistake transferring the answers?If more than one lozenge has been completed for one question, the computer rejects the answer sheet, which is then dealt with on an individual basis. Checks are in place to identify incomplete answer sheets, which are also then checked.
Cases where all the answers have been entered incorrectly, e.g. by putting answer 1 to question 2, answer 2 to question 3 etc., cannot be identified.
Candidates should be careful when filling in their answer sheets.
Cases where all the answers have been entered incorrectly, e.g. by putting answer 1 to question 2, answer 2 to question 3 etc., cannot be identified.
Candidates should be careful when filling in their answer sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Writing
Are candidates penalised for writing over-long or over-short answers?Candidates are not penalised simply for writing more or fewer than the stipulated number of words. An exception to this is made where answers have fewer than 60 words — these are awarded a score of Band 0.
However, as length of answer is a factor of task achievement, candidates would be penalised for over-long answers where the extra material is considered to be irrelevant and has a negative effect on the target reader. Similarly, a candidate who produces considerably fewer than the stipulated number of words is unlikely to have included all the features of content necessary to achieve the task.
All CPE Writing tasks are extensively trialled before they appear on a live paper, and care is taken to ensure that tasks do not expect answers that are significantly longer or shorter than the required number of words.
Do candidates have to study all the set texts?The set text questions are optional. If candidates decide to answer on a set text, it is only necessary to study one of the texts as there is always a question on each of them.
N.B. From June 2009, there will be a choice of two books of a different style and genre. Each book will normally remain on the list for two years. Information on which set texts have been selected for a particular year can be found in Exam Details and Timetables. Will any edition of the set texts do?Any full-length edition will do. CPE candidates should not be reading simplified editions, which are acceptable at FCE level.
Download the sample papers for CPE and other exams.
Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?As a matter of policy, where the genre is given as a letter, the instruction 'You do not need to include postal addresses' is added to the rubric. Where other genres are given in the rubric (e.g. report, article), candidates sometimes choose to use a letter format to answer the question if appropriate to the task. In no case will the address, if included by the candidate, be subject to assessment, either negative or positive.
Is report or proposal format obligatory for such questions on the Writing paper?Reports and proposals should be clearly organised and may contain headings. The report/proposal format is not obligatory, but will make a good impression on the target reader if used appropriately. The mark awarded to the report/proposal will, however, depend on how the writing meets the requirements of the General Mark Scheme and the Task Specific Mark Scheme for the question.
However, as length of answer is a factor of task achievement, candidates would be penalised for over-long answers where the extra material is considered to be irrelevant and has a negative effect on the target reader. Similarly, a candidate who produces considerably fewer than the stipulated number of words is unlikely to have included all the features of content necessary to achieve the task.
All CPE Writing tasks are extensively trialled before they appear on a live paper, and care is taken to ensure that tasks do not expect answers that are significantly longer or shorter than the required number of words.
Do candidates have to study all the set texts?The set text questions are optional. If candidates decide to answer on a set text, it is only necessary to study one of the texts as there is always a question on each of them.
N.B. From June 2009, there will be a choice of two books of a different style and genre. Each book will normally remain on the list for two years. Information on which set texts have been selected for a particular year can be found in Exam Details and Timetables. Will any edition of the set texts do?Any full-length edition will do. CPE candidates should not be reading simplified editions, which are acceptable at FCE level.
Download the sample papers for CPE and other exams.
Are addresses to be omitted ONLY when stated in the task?As a matter of policy, where the genre is given as a letter, the instruction 'You do not need to include postal addresses' is added to the rubric. Where other genres are given in the rubric (e.g. report, article), candidates sometimes choose to use a letter format to answer the question if appropriate to the task. In no case will the address, if included by the candidate, be subject to assessment, either negative or positive.
Is report or proposal format obligatory for such questions on the Writing paper?Reports and proposals should be clearly organised and may contain headings. The report/proposal format is not obligatory, but will make a good impression on the target reader if used appropriately. The mark awarded to the report/proposal will, however, depend on how the writing meets the requirements of the General Mark Scheme and the Task Specific Mark Scheme for the question.
Frequently Asked Questions - Use of English
Use of English
What happens if candidates miss a negative in the transformations, thereby giving the opposite meaning to the original?The instructions to the candidate state that the second sentence must have a similar meaning to the first. However, in the mark scheme the answer is divided into two parts (see below). The two parts of the sentence (either side of the dividing line) are always treated separately, so a candidate will receive one mark for correctly completing one part of the sentence even if a negative has been omitted from the other part.
e.g. I've never thought of asking the hotel staff for advice about restaurants.
OCCURRED
It has ............. the hotel staff for advice about restaurants.
never occurred to me (1)
to ask (1)
What happens if candidates miss a negative in the transformations, thereby giving the opposite meaning to the original?The instructions to the candidate state that the second sentence must have a similar meaning to the first. However, in the mark scheme the answer is divided into two parts (see below). The two parts of the sentence (either side of the dividing line) are always treated separately, so a candidate will receive one mark for correctly completing one part of the sentence even if a negative has been omitted from the other part.
e.g. I've never thought of asking the hotel staff for advice about restaurants.
OCCURRED
It has ............. the hotel staff for advice about restaurants.
never occurred to me (1)
to ask (1)
Frequently Asked Questions - Listening
Which accents are used in the Listening paper?In General English examinations, there is a range of accents. These correspond to standard variants of English native speaker accents, and to English non-native speaker accents that approximate to the norms of native speaker accents, as this is what people have to listen to in real life.
Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?Where candidates are asked to produce answers containing a word or words, as in Part 2, these must be spelled correctly. However, items are extensively pretested and care is taken that no word targeted as an answer causes candidates undue spelling problems.
Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Part 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?Candidates should try to use the actual words they hear on the CD. They do not get more marks for using their own words.
In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?There is nothing to prevent candidates from doing this. However, it is recommended that candidates put their answers on the question paper while listening to the recording and then transfer these answers to the answer sheet when the recording has finished.
Is wrong spelling penalised in the Listening paper?Where candidates are asked to produce answers containing a word or words, as in Part 2, these must be spelled correctly. However, items are extensively pretested and care is taken that no word targeted as an answer causes candidates undue spelling problems.
Are candidates supposed to write the words they hear on the recording in answers to Part 2, or do they get more marks if they use their own words?Candidates should try to use the actual words they hear on the CD. They do not get more marks for using their own words.
In the Listening paper, can candidates fill in the answer sheet directly?There is nothing to prevent candidates from doing this. However, it is recommended that candidates put their answers on the question paper while listening to the recording and then transfer these answers to the answer sheet when the recording has finished.
Frequently Asked Questions - Speaking
Speaking
What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?Candidates should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. They will not be penalised for this. However, for reasons of standardisation, no variation on the instructions can be given.
What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?In all General English examinations, candidates are examined in pairs with two examiners. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate will be examined with the last pair to form a group of three.
What should candidates do if they don't understand the instructions?Candidates should ask the examiner to repeat the instructions. They will not be penalised for this. However, for reasons of standardisation, no variation on the instructions can be given.
What is done when there's only one candidate left at the end of a Speaking test session?In all General English examinations, candidates are examined in pairs with two examiners. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate will be examined with the last pair to form a group of three.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Which one word can be used to complete all of the following three sentences?
One more...
1. We need something to bridge the _____ between the two walls over there.
2. There was a _____ in the market and the company felt they could take advantage of it.
3. I sometimes feel the generation _____ is getting wider and wider.
1. We need something to bridge the _____ between the two walls over there.
2. There was a _____ in the market and the company felt they could take advantage of it.
3. I sometimes feel the generation _____ is getting wider and wider.
Which one word can be used to complete all of the following three sentences?
1. He hadn't ridden a bike before and couldn't keep his ________.
2. I'm just going to the bank to check my _______.
3. On ________, I think it was a really good film.
Cheers!
2. I'm just going to the bank to check my _______.
3. On ________, I think it was a really good film.
Cheers!
Monday, 17 May 2010
Which one word can be used to complete all of the following three sentences? (Flo-Joe)
1. The chess champion held off a serious ........ from his younger opponent in the last match of the tournament.
2. The chairman of the meeting seemed to regard questions from the audience as some kind of ........ to his authority.
3. You'll find some aspects of the job a real ........, but we're confident that you can cope.
2. The chairman of the meeting seemed to regard questions from the audience as some kind of ........ to his authority.
3. You'll find some aspects of the job a real ........, but we're confident that you can cope.
Friday, 14 May 2010
How many words with -tion can you think of?
Just a song with a cool clip...
P.s: Rebolation and playstation do not count!!
Hope you like it!
Cheers,
Leandro.
P.s: Rebolation and playstation do not count!!
Hope you like it!
Cheers,
Leandro.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Which one word can be used to complete all of the following three sentences? (Flo-Joe)
1. Could you pass me a ........ of paper please?
2. Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. It was a ........ of the tongue.
3. The criminal was difficult to track down and kept giving the police the .........
2. Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. It was a ........ of the tongue.
3. The criminal was difficult to track down and kept giving the police the .........
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Food and drink
Hi everyone,
I got these sentences from Splendid Speaking and their topic is exactly what we were studying last class: food and drink.
Try to complete them using three different words.
1. Come on everyone, fill your _______. I don't want to see any food on the table when you've finished.
2. I forgot the meat was in the oven and it got burnt to a _______.
3. The restaurant was fantastic and the food really made your mouth _______.
Cheers,
Luciana
I got these sentences from Splendid Speaking and their topic is exactly what we were studying last class: food and drink.
Try to complete them using three different words.
1. Come on everyone, fill your _______. I don't want to see any food on the table when you've finished.
2. I forgot the meat was in the oven and it got burnt to a _______.
3. The restaurant was fantastic and the food really made your mouth _______.
Cheers,
Luciana
Monday, 26 April 2010
8 Wedding Traditions – The Bizarre Origins
Hi folks, some curiosities for you...I know it's quite long, but it's worth reading.
Hope you like it!
Cheers,
Leandro.
A common theme that you’ve no doubt noticed throughout this post: humans used to be a superstitious bunch. This rhyming phrase neatly lists a number of English customs dating back to the Victorian age which, when worn in combination, should bring the bride oodles of fabulous good luck. The something old was meant to tie the bride to her family and her past, while the something new represented her new life as the property of a new family. The item borrowed was supposed to be taken from someone who was already a successfully married wife, so as to pass on a bit of her good fortune to the new bride. The color blue (Virgin Mary-approved!) stood for all sorts of super fun things like faithfulness, loyalty, and purity. The sixpence, of course, was meant to bring the bride and her newgroom actual, cold, hard fortune. Just in case that wasn’t enough, brides of yore also carried bunches of herbs (which most brides now replace with expensive, out-of-season peonies) to ward off evil spirits.
This leads to another sweet, delicious, buttercream-iced mystery to be solved: Why do couples eat freezer-burned wedding cake on their one-year anniversary? To answer this, we must look to the lyrics of a schoolyard classic: First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage! It used to be assumed that when there was a wedding, a christening would follow shortly. So, rather than bake two cakes for the occasions, they’d just bake one big one and save a part of it to be eaten at a later date when the squealing bundle of joy arrived. Eventually folks warmed to the idea of giving the poor kid his own, newly baked cake, but the custom of saving a portion of the wedding cake far longer than it should be saved and then eating it and deluding oneself to believe that it actually tastes good is one that persists to this day.
Hope you like it!
Cheers,
Leandro.
The White Wedding Dress
Technically, today’s wedding gowns aren’t white. They are “Candlelight,” “Warm Ivory,” “Ecru” or “Frost.” But there was a time when a bride’s wedding attire was simply the best thing in her closet (talk about “off the rack”), and could be any color, even black. To convince her groom that she came from a wealthy family, brides would also pile on layers of fur, silk and velvet, as apparently grooms didn’t care if his wife-to-be reeked of sweaty B.O. as long as she was loaded. It was dear ol’ Queen Victoria (whose reign lasted from 1837-1901) who made white fashionable. She wore a pale gown trimmed in orange blossoms for her 1840 wedding to her first cousin, Prince Albert. Hordes of royal-crazed plebeians immediately began to copy her, which is an astonishing feat considering that People Magazine wasn’t around to publish the Super Exclusive Wedding Photos, or instruct readers on how to Steal Vicki’s Hot Wedding Style.
Giving Away the Bride
Remember that “Women’s Studies” class you considered taking in college? Allow us to summarize what you would have learned: All of our society’s gender issues stem from the fact that fathers once used their daughters as currency to a) pay off a debt to a wealthier land owner, b) symbolize a sacrificial, monetary peace offering to an opposing tribe or c) buy their way into a higher social strata. So next time you tear up watching a beaming father walk his little girl down the aisle, remember that it’s just a tiny, barbaric little hold over from the days when daughters were nothing but dollar signs to daddy dearest. And that veil she’s wearing? Yeah, that was so the groom wouldn’t know if he was stuck with an uggo until it was time to kiss the bride and too late to back out on the transaction. (There is also some superstitious B.S. about warding off evil spirits, but we think you’ll agree that hiding a busted grill from the husband-to-be is a more practical purpose.)
The Wedding Party
Talk about your runaway brides—the original duty of a “Best Man” was to serve as armed backup for the groom in case he had to resort to kidnapping his intended bride away from disapproving parents. The “best” part of that title refers to his skill with a sword, should the need arise. (You wouldn’t want to take the “just okay” member of your weapon-wielding posse with you to steal yourself a wife, would you?)
The best man stands guard next to the groom right up through the exchange of vows (and later, outside the newlyweds’ bedroom door), just in case anyone should attack or if a non-acquiescent bride should try to make a run for it. It’s said that feisty groups like the Huns, Goths and Visigoths took so many brides by force that they kept a cache of weapons stored beneath the floorboards of churches for convenience. Modern-day best men are more likely to store an emergency six-pack at the ceremony for convenience, but the title remains an apt one.
Ladies—believe it or not, the concept of the bridesmaid’s gown was not invented to inflict painful dowdiness upon the bride’s friends and female relatives thus making the bride look hotter by comparison. Historically, that dress you’ll never wear again was actually selected with the purpose of tricking the eye of evil spirits and jealous ex-lovers (spicy!). Brides’ faithful attendants were instructed to wear a dress similar to that of the bride so that during their group stroll to the church it would be hard for any ill-willed spirits or former boy-toys to spot the bride and curse/kidnap/throw rocks at her. (Ditto for the boys in matching penguin suits, saving thegroom from a similar fate.) Memo to the Maid of Honor: if you think organizing a themed shower complete with quiche, cupcakes and creative uses of toilet paper as a game is a tough gig, imagine this: MoH’s of old used to be responsible for making nearly all of thewedding decorations and putting them up herself.
Garter and Bouquet Toss
This pair of rituals has long been the scourge of the modern wedding guest. What could possibly be more humiliating than being forced out to the center of a parquet dance floor while a wedding DJ advertises your lack of a boyfriend and then being expected to further demonstrate your desperation by diving for flying flowers? Wait…. Yup, we can top that. How about grasping in the air for a lacy piece of undergarment that until moments ago resided uncomfortably close to the crotch of your buddy’s wife? At any other point in time, that would make you a total perv, so why is it acceptable at awedding? Well, hold on to your scruples boys and girls, because the history behind these customs is downright dirty.
It used to be that after the bride and groom said, “I do,” they were to go immediately into a nearby room and “close the deal” and consummate the marriage. Obviously, to really make it official, there would need to be witnesses, which basically led to hordes ofwedding guests crowding around the bed, pushing and shoving to get a good view and hopefully to get their hands on a lucky piece of the bride’s dress as it was ripped from her body. Sometimes the greedy guests helped get the process going by grabbing at the bride’s dress as she walked by, hoping for a few threads of good fortune. In time, it seems, people realized that this was all a bit, well… creepy, and it was decided that for modesty’s sake the bride could toss her bouquet as a diversion as she made her getaway and thegroom could simply remove an item of the bride’s undergarments and then toss it back outside to the waiting throngs to prove that he was about to, uh, get ‘er done.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue (and a Sixpence in My Shoe?)
A common theme that you’ve no doubt noticed throughout this post: humans used to be a superstitious bunch. This rhyming phrase neatly lists a number of English customs dating back to the Victorian age which, when worn in combination, should bring the bride oodles of fabulous good luck. The something old was meant to tie the bride to her family and her past, while the something new represented her new life as the property of a new family. The item borrowed was supposed to be taken from someone who was already a successfully married wife, so as to pass on a bit of her good fortune to the new bride. The color blue (Virgin Mary-approved!) stood for all sorts of super fun things like faithfulness, loyalty, and purity. The sixpence, of course, was meant to bring the bride and her newgroom actual, cold, hard fortune. Just in case that wasn’t enough, brides of yore also carried bunches of herbs (which most brides now replace with expensive, out-of-season peonies) to ward off evil spirits.
The Wedding Cake
We have to believe that there was a time, somewhere in history, when the whole, “Will they/won’t they smash cake in each other’s faces!” scenario was actually clever and original (even if we couldn’t find any evidence of it). What we did find was the granddaddy predecessor to cake-face-smashing: the breaking of baked goods over the bride’s head. Customarily, thegroom would gnaw off a bite of barley bread and then the remainder of the loaf was held above the newlywed bride’s head and then broken, showering her with crumbs and a soul-crushing message of her husband’s male dominance. Guests would then scramble to pick up any wayward crumbs off the floor as they were said to bring good…wait for it… luck!
This tradition evolved as cake emerged as the preferred confection for wedding celebrations. Fortunately for the bride, a whole cake doesn’t break in two quite as dramatically as a loaf of bread and so it was sliced on a table instead. Rather than scrounge for lucky crumbs on the floor, guests would stand in line while the bride passed tiny, fortune-blessed morsels of cake through her ownwedding ring into the hands of the waiting masses. This act also fell by the wayside, as we can only assume the bride determined that it was a lousy waste of her time. Thus began the tradition of giving out whole slices of cake to each guest, not to be eaten, but to be placed under their pillow at night for (yup, here it is again) good luck and, for the ladies, sweet dreams of their future husbands.
Refusing to Throw Away the Leftovers
This leads to another sweet, delicious, buttercream-iced mystery to be solved: Why do couples eat freezer-burned wedding cake on their one-year anniversary? To answer this, we must look to the lyrics of a schoolyard classic: First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage! It used to be assumed that when there was a wedding, a christening would follow shortly. So, rather than bake two cakes for the occasions, they’d just bake one big one and save a part of it to be eaten at a later date when the squealing bundle of joy arrived. Eventually folks warmed to the idea of giving the poor kid his own, newly baked cake, but the custom of saving a portion of the wedding cake far longer than it should be saved and then eating it and deluding oneself to believe that it actually tastes good is one that persists to this day.
Throwing Rice
Pelting newlyweds with uncooked starchy vegetables is a time-honored tradition meant to shower the new couple with prosperity, fertility and, of course, good fortune. Oats, grains and dried corn were english-wedding.jpgalso used before rice rose to the top as the preferred symbolic sprinkle. Rice lost its popularity when it became widely rumored that if birds ate the rice, it would expand in their stomach and kill them. This is decidedly untrue, as is evidenced by the fact that birds eat dried rice and corn and other dehydrated vegetables and grains from fields all the time and we have yet to see any mention of a national, exploding-bird epidemic running on the CNN news ticker.
Rice can be a hazard to guests, who can lose their footing on rice covered pavement and take a nasty spill. Turns out, even rice alternatives have their drawbacks. Two Texas women were badly injured at a wedding in May 2008 while trying to light celebratory sparklers to send off the bride and groom. The group of sparklers ignited all at once and exploded, burning one woman’s face and both of their arms. One guest at a Russian wedding in Chechnya last March decided to buck tradition altogether and threw an armed hand grenade into the unsuspecting crowd, injuring a dozen people. Our advice? Stick with rose petals. They are soft, non-hazardous, non-lethal and biodegradable.
Source: http://www.uphaa.com/blog/index.php/wedding/
Rice can be a hazard to guests, who can lose their footing on rice covered pavement and take a nasty spill. Turns out, even rice alternatives have their drawbacks. Two Texas women were badly injured at a wedding in May 2008 while trying to light celebratory sparklers to send off the bride and groom. The group of sparklers ignited all at once and exploded, burning one woman’s face and both of their arms. One guest at a Russian wedding in Chechnya last March decided to buck tradition altogether and threw an armed hand grenade into the unsuspecting crowd, injuring a dozen people. Our advice? Stick with rose petals. They are soft, non-hazardous, non-lethal and biodegradable.
Source: http://www.uphaa.com/blog/index.php/wedding/
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Hello, my friends!
Has everybody survived last night's downpour?? I'm still recovering! =D
Check this one out! Let's give it a try?
Choose one word to complete the three gaps.
They have tried to put a positive _______ on the situation.
Can we ______ our holiday out for a few more days?
Have you ever seen a spider _______ a web?
After you've solved it, notice that in this song the "mystery word" has a different meaning from these 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCw1ggftuQ&feature=fvst
Also, if you look it up, you'll find that there are many other possible meanings.
Cheers!
Renata.
Has everybody survived last night's downpour?? I'm still recovering! =D
Check this one out! Let's give it a try?
Choose one word to complete the three gaps.
They have tried to put a positive _______ on the situation.
Can we ______ our holiday out for a few more days?
Have you ever seen a spider _______ a web?
After you've solved it, notice that in this song the "mystery word" has a different meaning from these 3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcCw1ggftuQ&feature=fvst
Also, if you look it up, you'll find that there are many other possible meanings.
Cheers!
Renata.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Symphony in Slang
G'day mates!
I'm here to share with you this amazing video about slang/idioms.
I found it interesting to post since we dealt with some idoms last class.
The scenes are sort of literal, illustrating the idioms.
I put the transcript below the video.
Hope you enjoy it!
“I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.”
“I grew up overnight.”
“At the crack of dawn…”
“….I woke up with the chickens.”
“I got a job slinging hash…”
“…because the proprietor was short-handed.”
“But I couldn’t cut the mustard…”
“…so the guy gave me the gate.”
“I went back to my hole in the wall.”
“I was beside myself with anger.”
“I decided to get a train ticket to Texas. There I made some dough punching some cattle.”
“From there, I flew to Chicago.”
“There, a beautiful girl stepped into the picture.”
“Our eyes met.”
“My breath came in short pants.”
“And I had goose pimples.”
“I was all thumbs.”
“Mary’s clothes fit her like a glove.
“…with her hair done up in a bun.”
“She had good lookin’ pins too!”
“Finally, she gives me a date.”
“I put on my white tie and tails.”
“And brother, did she put on the dog!”
“We went around together for some time…”
“…painting the town red….”
“…going to the Stork Club…”
“…we had a box at the opera.”
“…I had a cocktail and Mary had a Moscow Mule.”
“…Mary let her hair down…”
“…and ate like a horse.”
“By then, my money started running out on me.”
“So I wrote a check. It bounced!”
“I was in a pickle…”
“The proprietor drew a gun on me.”
“So I gave him the slip…”
“…and head to the foothills.”
“The law was on my heel.”
“…the judge tried to pump me.”
“…everytime I opened my mouth, I put my foot in it.”
“So he sent me up the river…”
“…to do a stretch in the jug.”
“I was up against it…”
“…and felt myself go to pot.”
“I raised a big stink.”
“…let me talk to an undercover man.”
“I went through a lot of red tape…”
“…he sprung me!”
“It sure felt good to stretch my legs…”
“…I caught a Greyhound…”
“…I dropped in on Mary…”
“…and threw myself at her feet.”
“But she turned her back on me.”
“But she got on her high horse. I couldn’t touch here with a 10 foot pole!”
“She wouldn’t say a word. Guess the cat got her tongue.”
“So, I walked out on her.”
“After that, I went to pieces.”
“…where a bunch of the boys were hangin’ around.”
“The guy at the piano played by ear.”
“I felt a tug at my elbow…”
“We sat down and chewed the rag a while.”
“I heard through the grapevine…”
“…Mary was going around with an old flame.”
“That burned me up!”
“Because I knew that he was feeding her a line.”
The guy really spent his money like water.”
“I think he was connected with the railroad.”
“As they danced, I tried to chisel in…”
“…but the guy got in my hair.”
“Outside it was raining cats and dogs.”
“I was feeling mighty blue.”
“And everything looked black.”
“But I carried on!”
“I went to the 1000 Islands.”
“There, I became a beachcomber.”
“…and a tear ran down my cheek.”
“So I send her a cable.”
“The next day, she sends me a wire.”
“I rushed back to the US on a cattle boat…”
“…and I hotfooted it over to Mary’s apartment.”
“When I opened the door, I noticed quite a few changes…”
“Why Mary, she had a bunch of little ones.”
“The groom had his hands full, too!”
“So, all this struck me so funny, I died laughing!”
Cheers!
Leandro.
I'm here to share with you this amazing video about slang/idioms.
I found it interesting to post since we dealt with some idoms last class.
The scenes are sort of literal, illustrating the idioms.
I put the transcript below the video.
Hope you enjoy it!
“I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.”
“I grew up overnight.”
“At the crack of dawn…”
“….I woke up with the chickens.”
“I got a job slinging hash…”
“…because the proprietor was short-handed.”
“But I couldn’t cut the mustard…”
“…so the guy gave me the gate.”
“I went back to my hole in the wall.”
“I was beside myself with anger.”
“I decided to get a train ticket to Texas. There I made some dough punching some cattle.”
“From there, I flew to Chicago.”
“There, a beautiful girl stepped into the picture.”
“Our eyes met.”
“My breath came in short pants.”
“And I had goose pimples.”
“I was all thumbs.”
“Mary’s clothes fit her like a glove.
“…with her hair done up in a bun.”
“She had good lookin’ pins too!”
“Finally, she gives me a date.”
“I put on my white tie and tails.”
“And brother, did she put on the dog!”
“We went around together for some time…”
“…painting the town red….”
“…going to the Stork Club…”
“…we had a box at the opera.”
“…I had a cocktail and Mary had a Moscow Mule.”
“…Mary let her hair down…”
“…and ate like a horse.”
“By then, my money started running out on me.”
“So I wrote a check. It bounced!”
“I was in a pickle…”
“The proprietor drew a gun on me.”
“So I gave him the slip…”
“…and head to the foothills.”
“The law was on my heel.”
“…the judge tried to pump me.”
“…everytime I opened my mouth, I put my foot in it.”
“So he sent me up the river…”
“…to do a stretch in the jug.”
“I was up against it…”
“…and felt myself go to pot.”
“I raised a big stink.”
“…let me talk to an undercover man.”
“I went through a lot of red tape…”
“…he sprung me!”
“It sure felt good to stretch my legs…”
“…I caught a Greyhound…”
“…I dropped in on Mary…”
“…and threw myself at her feet.”
“But she turned her back on me.”
“But she got on her high horse. I couldn’t touch here with a 10 foot pole!”
“She wouldn’t say a word. Guess the cat got her tongue.”
“So, I walked out on her.”
“After that, I went to pieces.”
“…where a bunch of the boys were hangin’ around.”
“The guy at the piano played by ear.”
“I felt a tug at my elbow…”
“We sat down and chewed the rag a while.”
“I heard through the grapevine…”
“…Mary was going around with an old flame.”
“That burned me up!”
“Because I knew that he was feeding her a line.”
The guy really spent his money like water.”
“I think he was connected with the railroad.”
“As they danced, I tried to chisel in…”
“…but the guy got in my hair.”
“Outside it was raining cats and dogs.”
“I was feeling mighty blue.”
“And everything looked black.”
“But I carried on!”
“I went to the 1000 Islands.”
“There, I became a beachcomber.”
“…and a tear ran down my cheek.”
“So I send her a cable.”
“The next day, she sends me a wire.”
“I rushed back to the US on a cattle boat…”
“…and I hotfooted it over to Mary’s apartment.”
“When I opened the door, I noticed quite a few changes…”
“Why Mary, she had a bunch of little ones.”
“The groom had his hands full, too!”
“So, all this struck me so funny, I died laughing!”
Cheers!
Leandro.
Guys, one more for our practice: It's not as hard as it may seem!
Think of one word which can be used appropriately in all the three sentences.
a) The ravages of the disease have left him unable to speak without the ________ of a voice synthesizer.
b) A number of countries have agreed to provide emergency ______ to the stricken region.
c) The students have organised fund-raising event in _______ of the local hospital.
Cheers!
Claudio Paes
Think of one word which can be used appropriately in all the three sentences.
a) The ravages of the disease have left him unable to speak without the ________ of a voice synthesizer.
b) A number of countries have agreed to provide emergency ______ to the stricken region.
c) The students have organised fund-raising event in _______ of the local hospital.
Cheers!
Claudio Paes
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
What about some cartoons?
Hey folks, I remember last class there was an expression "in the doldrums", right? Then I remembered I'd seen that before because of this cartoon:
What about these ones?
Piddle on?
Play(ing) up?
Sponge off?
What about these ones?
Piddle on?
Play(ing) up?
Sponge off?
Thursday, 11 March 2010
What's the word that fits the three sentences?
1. He couldn't help screeching after receiving a sharp.......................to the stomach.
2. Having all her research notes stolen was a real body.......................for her.
3. When I get paid I ....................... it all on a night out.
C'mon guys!
Cheers.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Topic: Agreeing and disagreeing (Vocabulary exercise - Splendid Speaking)
7) I'm always having arguments with Laura. She always seems to rub me ......... the wrong way.
8) They've never ........ eye to eye and have always argued about everything.
9) One minute our two children are ........ like cat and dog and the next they're playing together like the best of friends.
8) They've never ........ eye to eye and have always argued about everything.
9) One minute our two children are ........ like cat and dog and the next they're playing together like the best of friends.
Topic: communication (Vocabulary exercise - Splendid Speaking)
4) I think you've missed the ......... We can't carry on ignoring the situation. We need to take action.
5) I got off on the wrong ........ with one of my new colleagues at the office party. I complained to him about smoking at the dinner table.
6) Do you think you could put in a good ........ for me where you work? I'm thinking of applying for the clerical job there.
Please note that this is a vocabulary exercise (not 'gapped sentences'). You should complete each gap with a different word.
5) I got off on the wrong ........ with one of my new colleagues at the office party. I complained to him about smoking at the dinner table.
6) Do you think you could put in a good ........ for me where you work? I'm thinking of applying for the clerical job there.
Please note that this is a vocabulary exercise (not 'gapped sentences'). You should complete each gap with a different word.
Topic: Moods and Emotions (Vocabulary exercise - Splendid Speaking)
1) Jamie's been ......... the doldrums since he split up with his girlfriend. How can we cheer him up?
2) Supporters were on cloud ........ yesterday following the team's cup final win.
3) Sarah must be fed up about something. I only asked her if she wanted to go out and she ........ my head off.
Please note that this is a vocabulary exercise (not 'gapped sentences'). You should complete each gap with a different word.
2) Supporters were on cloud ........ yesterday following the team's cup final win.
3) Sarah must be fed up about something. I only asked her if she wanted to go out and she ........ my head off.
Please note that this is a vocabulary exercise (not 'gapped sentences'). You should complete each gap with a different word.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
What's the word that fits the three sentences? (Splendid Speaking)
1. I've been waiting for you since 6.00! What ........ you?
2. That hat you bought me for my birthday really ........ my head warm during the winter.
3. The company have ........ a record of my application on file.
2. That hat you bought me for my birthday really ........ my head warm during the winter.
3. The company have ........ a record of my application on file.
Monday, 1 March 2010
What's the word that fits the three sentences?
'The film was so gripping that it ........ my interest from start to finish.'
'She once ........ some shares in the company but now they are worthless.'
'Police ........ the man suspected of murder for further questioning.'
Flo-Joe - March 2010
'She once ........ some shares in the company but now they are worthless.'
'Police ........ the man suspected of murder for further questioning.'
Flo-Joe - March 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Results Online available
Results for exam sessions in November and December 2009
Here are the dates when we release the results of the exam sessions for November and December 2009:
KET and PET (November) - 8 January 2010
KET and PET (December) - 18 January 2010
FCE, CAE and CPE (December) - 26 January 2010
BEC Preliminary (November) - 08 February 2010
BEC Vantage (November) - 01 February 2010
BEC Higher (November) - 18 January 2010
http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Results_Online
Best wishes,
Ana Paula Lães
Here are the dates when we release the results of the exam sessions for November and December 2009:
KET and PET (November) - 8 January 2010
KET and PET (December) - 18 January 2010
FCE, CAE and CPE (December) - 26 January 2010
BEC Preliminary (November) - 08 February 2010
BEC Vantage (November) - 01 February 2010
BEC Higher (November) - 18 January 2010
http://www.candidates.cambridgeesol.org/cs/Results_Online
Best wishes,
Ana Paula Lães
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