QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

jueves, 9 de abril de 2015

CAUSATIVE FORM

In English, the causative form is used when we don't do something ourselves, instead we arrange for someone else to do it for us.


The boy is getting his hair cut

There are two verbs generally used in the passive causative form; they are Have and Get. In addition, there is usually no agent in this form; it's not like in active form which has the agent. The action verb is in the past participle, and the object comes before it. The difference between have and get in this passive causative form is that have is more formal than get. 


I have my teeth cleaned
once a year 


Pattern
SubjectHave/GetObjectPast Participle


Examples:
  • I ask someone to fix my car.
    = I have my car fixed.
  • She asked John to wash the plate.
    She got the plate washed.




Write the correct response, changing the ACTIVE sentences into PASSIVE CAUSATIVE FORM sentences: 
EX: Jim is sendind the letter. --> Jim is having the letter sent


1. My mother changed the curtains. --> 

2. Thomas is going to wash the car. --> 

3. Maria has redesigned the web site. --> 

4. Kelly will take Mr. Brown to the beach. --> 

5. John brought the cat to the vet. --> 

6. Jane is putting the vase on the table. --> 

7. We were driving Mr. Jones to the airport. --> 

8. We fed the dog. --> 


9. We have given the money to the homeless shelter. --> 

10. Thomas cut his hair. -->

PASSIVE 1




http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-passive-voice-exercise2.html

NOW TRY TO CHANGE FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE:

1. They were interviewing her for the job. 
She ________________ for the job.

2. Tom is writing the letter. 
The letter ________________ by Tom.


3. Everyone understands English. 
English ________________ by everyone.
  

4. The employees brought up this issue during the meeting. 
This issue ________________ by the employees during the meeting.
  

5. The professor told him not to talk in class. 
He ________________ by the professor not to talk in class. 
  

6. They say that women are smarter than men. 
Women ________________ to be smarter than men.
  

7. The fire has destroyed the house. 
The house ________________ by the fire. 
  

8. She would have told you. 
You ________________ by her. 
  

9. She would reject the offer. 
The offer ________________ by her.
  

10. This surprises me. 
I ________________ by this.


http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-passive-voice-exercise3.html


1. They passed me up for that position. 
I ________________ for that position.
  

2. By tomorrow, I will have bought the car. 
By tomorrow, the car ________________ by me.
  
3. John bought the Picasso painting. 
The Picasso painting ________________ by John.
  
4. Most students misunderstand this story. 
This story ________________ by most students.
  
5. My brother carried the groceries into the room. 
The groceries ________________ by my brother into the room. 
  
6. Juan is preparing the enchiladas. 
The enchiladas ________________ by Juan.
  
7. His brother was telling him to calm down. 
He ________________ to calm down by his brother. 
  
8. A dog bit me. 
I ________________ by a dog. 

9. The movers have delivered the furniture. 
The furniture ________________ by the movers.
  
10. This city will surprise you. 
You ________________ by this city.
  

FOR MORE PRACTICE:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive


miércoles, 18 de marzo de 2015

ARE DOGS "MAN'S BEST FRIENDS"?



http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/29617/pets/dogs_are_our_best_friends_and_with_good_reason.html

Dogs Are Our Best Friends and with Good Reason

Why are there so many dog lovers out there ? Dogs share our lives in a way that most other animals can't, and they're so commonplace that it's easy to take their faithful companionship for granted. The purpose of this article is to remind us of why we love dogs so much, to spare a few minutes and to spare a few words in praise of "man's best friend," the dog.

Dogs are friendly and they love human companionship. Whose ego would not be gratified at the sight of a happy dog who can't wait to greet you at the end of a hard day ? Your dog waits for you by the door, face smiling, mouth open and tail wagging, ready to dote on you, his best friend in the world.

Dogs are loyal and, as pack animals, they respond to the presence of a leader - you ! Dogs are eager to please you in any way they can. When you're feeling blue your dog will remain by your side silently comforting you. When you're happy and excited, your dog will leap about you and share in your joy.

Dogs are playful. They love physical activity such as going for walks, fetching sticks, leaping into ponds, and racing wildly to and fro. Dogs will join you for a jog or for a day in the park or even for an exhuberant game of frisbee. Yet dogs can also be soft and cuddly and ready at anytime for a loving pat and a reassuring hug. They're affectionate and they're soothing to stroke, plus most dogs can also remain calm when necessary and be tolerant of small children who don't yet know how to be quiet or to behave gently around animals.

Dogs can be trained so that they can easily cohabitate with us in our human-built dwellings. They can also be trusted to act appropriately around other people and in public. Dogs can learn to save nature's call for outdoor walks, to walk on a leash when on public roads where cars lurk, and to sit and to stay whenever and whereever necessary.

The family dog is as much a part of daily life within a home as is any human household member. Our dogs are always there for us, day and night, sharing in every activity from breakfast time through a cozy evening spent watching TV. They can share both our indoor and many of our local outdoor activities, but that's not all. Dogs also play a big part in family life even when the family isn't at home. They can readily go places with us in cars, everywhere from a romp in the local park to a family vacation. Because they can travel with us, they can be a part of our lives in a way that most other companion animals can't. As dogs can participate in many of our most unusual experiences and outdoor adventures, they become forever associated with many of our most treasured memories.

Dogs, in all of their various shapes and sizes, are also beautiful animals to admire and to look at. From their big beautiful eyes and lovely faces, to their soft, sleek, shiny coats, to the tips of their joyfully wagging tails, dogs are a pleasure to behold. With so many different breeds to choose from, everyone can choose the dog whose appearance most appeals to them, whether large or small, short or long-muzzled, short-haired or long-haired or curly or straight-haired, with a muscular build or a slim build, with an elegant face or a comical face, and in any number of colors.

Each family can adopt the perfect dog to suit their taste and lifestyle by considering factors such as a dog's size and temperment. Does the family have a large fenced yard where a big dog can romp in safety, or a cramped apartment suitable for small dogs only ? Can the family pet care budget support a large dog with a large appetite ? Are there lots of flower beds that might be dug up and ruined by a breed such as a terrier ? Are there children in the house who require an extra gentle dog who'll tolerate the uninformed tail-pulling of a pre-schooler or the roughhousing of a ten year old ?

Does the family have the time available to give a dog all the love, attention, exercise and play that he deserves, or will he be alone all day ? How about two dogs to keep each other company when the human members of the family aren't around ? Perhaps a loveable mutt or two would be the ideal choices ! The local dog shelter is likely to be harboring many abandoned dogs who are sad and lonely and desperately in need of a second chance to find true happiness with a loving family.

Dogs give us the best of themselves: their love, loyalty, unconditional acceptance and affection, playfulness and companionship. In return, we owe them our best and the best care that we can give them, including a healthy, well-balanced diet, constant access to clean water and shelter from the hot sun or extreme cold, regular brushing and other grooming, ongoing veterinary care, plus annual vaccinations. Dogs should also be spayed or neutered, so that they do not contribute to the tragedy of the pet overpopulation problem.

A safe environment is, of course, a must. Indoors, be sure that cleaning products, medications, houseplants and other potential poisons are kept safely out of reach. Upper floor windows need secure grills or screens if they are to be opened. Heavy objects must not be left where they might fall on and injure dogs. Outdoor yards need secure fences if there are roads with cars nearby. (Please don't chain dogs outside and deny them their freedom of movement.) Antifreeze and other poisons mustn't be allowed to leak where any animals might have access to them and try to drink them.

A leash should be used for walks where traffic poses a threat to safety. Don't skimp on daily exercise and provide lots of opportunities to run around and play but, if a little dog has short legs, remember to slow down and not force him to overwork his little legs in trying to keep up with your larger stride. Don't force dogs to hurry past every tree when out for a walk, either. Sometimes dogs just need to sniff, so don't rush them too much.

Above all else, dogs deserve gentle handling and an abundance of our time and attention. Love can make a dog's world go round as much as love makes our world go round. When we give our love freely to our dogs, we receive their love in return. Dogs can truly be man's and woman's and children's best friends, and we should feel honored to be theirs, as well.



miércoles, 25 de febrero de 2015

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES. REPHRASING

REPHRASE USING DIFFERENT CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

1. I didn't go to Helen's party because she didn't invite me.
2. I don’t know if I’ll go to the beach. It depends on the rain.
3. Ann can’t buy a new car because she hasn’t got enough money.
4. You can get access to the Intranet only by having a password.
5. She feels lonely since she hasn't got any friends.
6. Carlos Sainz didn't win the Monte Carlo Rally because his car broke down.
7. Should you require more information, ask at the desk.
8. Jim missed the plane because he arrived late at the airport.
9. I don't have a modem, so I can't e-mail you.
10. I didn't send them a postcard because I didn't know their new address.
11. She isn't passing her exams because she isn't studying hard enough.
12. I'd like to buy a bigger flat, but I haven't got enough money.
13. I didn't get to the meeting on time because my car broke down.
14. You can attend the meeting as long as you are a club member.
15. The restaurant was full so we couldn't get a table.
16. Mixing these ingredients you can prepare a great recipe.

lunes, 19 de enero de 2015

DESCRIBING PEOPLE: EXAMPLES



http://www.ielts-mentor.com/cue-card-sample/218-ielts-cue-card-sample-1-describe-someone-in-your-family

Describe someone in your family who you really admire

You should say:
  • What relation this person is to you?
  • What are your first memories of this person?
  • How often you see this person?
and explain why do you admire this person

IELTS Cue card - describe someone in your family
Possible Answer:
I've got a small family with only 5 members and all of us are very close to each other and we love each other very much. Among them I love my mother more than anyone else in the whole world. I adore my mother for her caring, loving, adorable behaviors and wit. She is the person I can share everything with and that's the reason I worship her so much.
Possibly she was the first human I saw when I opened my eyes in this world. A relationship with a mother is divine and all of my childhood memories are either related to my mom or my school. I can still remember a day I was late to come back home after school and that's because there was a ceremony at the school I did not know about. All of a certain I found that my mother was entering through the school-gate to find me. I was so frightened that my mother would rebuke me for being late unnoticed and she must be mad at me. But to my best surprise, when my mother saw me  she had a warm smile in her face that I'll never forget till my last breath in this earth. Then she hugged me and gave me a kiss. I felt then that I love my mother more than me. She attended the program at the school and afterward we came back home together.
I spent my 19 years or so with my father and mother but I stay at a metropolitan city now for my education. Whenever I get vacation I meet my mother at my village home. On an average I spend 2/3 months with my mother each year but I talk to her over phone almost twice a day.
The reasons why I admire her are endless. She is caring, tender, she has got a big heart and she possesses love for everyone. She had been an ideal mother to raise 3 kids and making sure our education and moral values. She had made a lot of sacrifices all of her life and had never complained about anything to my best knowledge. She is the person who reminds me the power of love and caring.
Alternative Answer:
I have got 6 family members and all of them are very dear and close to me. If I need to pick one family member among them to talk about, that would be my father. My father’s name is (say your father’s name) and he is around 50 years old. He is the kind of person I would want my offspring to be. He did his graduation in a time when formal education was not people’s first choice. They would rather start earning from work rather than going to school. My father fought to ensure his education with the people who thought working or doing some sort of business has more value than education. But my father believed that education is the most important part of a man’s life. He heartily held the idea that education shapes a man’s life and is the kind of power and asset that would always accompany him.

I have lots of memories of my father and I see him every day. There exists a strong bonding between us that only two of us feel. I still remember those days of my childhood when I used to wait in the evening for my father to return from office. He would then play with me and help on completing my lessons. I vividly remember him sometimes taking me to the market and buy me gifts. When I was an infant he moved to the city from the village to ensure me better schooling and environment. That was a decision that has changed my life path. He himself helped me finishing my home works and lessons, always allured me of gifts if I could complete my study. Besides my education he taught me lots of moral values and important things of life.

 After retirement he has picked 2 new habits: gardening and teaching neighbors’ kids. He is a quiet and intelligent man who has benevolent heart and that what make him so admirable to me. He is still the pillar of our family and all of our family members love and respect him very much.        

Tips for answering this Cue Card Sample:

You already know a lot about your family members and this cue card should be an easy one to answer. Just focus on the questions mentioned bellow the Cue card topic. Following questions may come for this cue card and note the quick answers of these questions:

1. Who is he/she? : My mother / My father/ My bother/ My sister etc.
2. Your relationship to this family member:  She is my mother/ he is my father etc.
3. What you do together:  We walk out together/ cook together/ study together/ talk a lot about family issues etc.
4. What is s/he like:  He/ She is kind, talented, energetic, works a lot, dedicated, caring, possess a great personality, open minded etc. 
5. How long do you know him /her: From my childhood/ all of my life/ for more than 20 years etc.
6. How often do you see him/her: Everyday/ once in a month/ most of the time I stay at home/ in every three months etc.
7. Why do you like him/ her or why do you admire him/ her?: S/he loves me a lot, very close to me, very caring, have a good heart, talented, helpful, my best mentor etc.
While talking about what is s/he like or what qualities he /she has or even why do you like/ admire him/her you can use some of the following points:
 
  • For father: He is honest, brave, had a good heart, talented, leads an ideal life. has sacrificed a lot to up-bring us, is an exemplary person, everybody respects him, is the best person I have ever seen, Loves me very much, hardworking, punctual, talented etc.
  • For mother: She is so caring, loving, hardworking and possesses a good heart, had done a lot to up-bring us, very close to me, very understanding, one of my best friends, knows a lot of things and has so many practical skills etc.
  • For brother: He is so brave, talented, well mannered, knows a lot about different things, had always been supportive to you, loved by others, cooperative and have lots of memories together, like a mentor to me, is my best buddy, taught me almost everything he knows, always protects me etc.
     
  • For sister: She is caring, a good friend, loving, a good mentor, helps you on study or on other tasks, supportive, a very good friends, talented and well-mannered.

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http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/11/ielts-speaking-part-2-describe-a-person.html

Describe a person you admire.
You should say:
  • who the person is
  • what he or she is like
  • and why you admire him or her.
Here are some ideas. I've underlined the best vocabulary.
  • I'm going to talk about my father because he has been a major influence in my life.
  • My father was always a good role model for me as I was growing up. He's hard-working, patient and understanding; he's also got a goodsense of humour and seems to get on well with everybody. Hopefully I've inherited some of these traits.
  • I admire my father because I think he brought me and my brothers/sisters up well; he was quite strict but always fair, and he has always been someone I can turn to for advice. I think my father set a good example by working hard and having a positive outlook on life. I remember that he used to leave for work early and come home quite late, but he always made time for me and my brothers/sisters.






REPHRASING MODAL VERBS

(This exercise comes from http://www.xtec.cat/~ogodoy/sac/rephrasing/modalsex3.htm
You can check your aswers on that website.)

Re-write the sentences so that they have the same meaning as the original.


1Let's go to Diagonal Mar!

2Perhaps they told John about the party, but I'm not sure.

3It isn't necessary for us to book a table; I know one of the waiters.

4It's forbbiden to drive without fastening your seatbelt.

5It's impossible that they knew about the trip; nobody told them.

6If I were you I'd do some more exercises.

7Perhaps I go on holiday to Menorca.

8It was a mistake to take the car. If only I hadn't!

9I'm sure something is happening tonight. Look at those preparations!

10It's compulsory for all students to attend lessons.


1It's possible that they move to Australia.

2I'm sure Helen knows about the accident. She looks very unhappy.

3Perhaps he hired a vannette.

4You are not allowed to use the phone without permission.

5If I were you I wouldn't trust John.

6I'm sure she didn't take the key.

7Perhaps I start a new career.

8It was not necessary for you to tell Jan what really happened.

9I regret selling the house.

10It's compulsory for all visitors to show their ID card.



Personality adjectives



CLICK TO LEARN ADJECTIVES AND DEFINITIONS:
Personality adjectives