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!
Sunday, 4 July 2010
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.
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