WHETHER AND/OR IF

We know how to use IF. But do we understand how to use WHETHER? Click HERE to learn this grammar point.

WRITING AN INFORMAL EMAIL

 
 (https://kseacademy.com/cambridge/b2-first-fce/writing/email-informal/)

• Greetings
  
  • Dear Sarah,
  • Hello Sara,
  • Hi Sara,
• First paragraph
  
  • How’s it going?
  • How are you doing? 
  • How are things?
  • How are things going?
  • It’s great to hear from you!
  • Long time, no see!
  • Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but
  • I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. 
• Good news
  
  • I’m glad to hear that
  • I’m so happy that
  • Great news about your
  • I’m very happy to hear about
  • It’s so great that 
• Bad news
  
  • I’m so sorry to hear about
  • Sorry to read about
  • I can’t tell you how sad I am that
  • I’m extremely sorry to hear about
  • It’s just awful to hear that
• Opening 
  • Oh, by the way, 
  • Hey, did you hear about…?
  • One more thing, 
  • As for
  • By the way, tell me about
• Closing
  
  • Anyway, I should get going. 
  • I’ve got to leave you now. 
  • I’d better get going. 
  • Well, it’s time to go
  • Make sure you write soon
  • Don’t forget to drop me a line soon. 
  • Look after yourself.
  • Take care of yourself.
• Despedida / Fórmula de cierre:
  • All my love, 
  • Love,
  • Lots of love,
  • All the best,
  • Take care,
  • Best wishes, 
  • Best, 
  • Regards,
  • Kind regards, 
    

(https://blueparrotschool.com/ejemplos-email-informal-b2/)

EXAMPLE 1

Hi Jake,

Thanks for your email. It was great to hear from you. How’s life in Vancouver? Hope you’re still enjoying it. I apologise for not writing sooner, but I’ve been extremely busy at school for the last few weeks.

Do you remember in your email you asked about the surprise party I was organising for my sister’s birthday? Well, it was a hit! I told my sister that we were going to meet up at her flat, but all of her friends from university were waiting inside.

Anyway, are you still planning on visiting next weekend? We need to decide what to do on Saturday. My friend Meghan will be in town and I plan on picking her up at her friend’s house round 10:00, then we’ll need to pick a spot for lunch. Would you fancy going for Spanish tapas or would you rather have a picnic?

I must dash now. I’ve got to go and study for tomorrow’s exam. Hope to hear from you soon.

All the best,

Molly

 

EXAMPLE 2

Hi there Brian,

Sorry that I haven’t been in touch for a while, but we have been snowed under at work. As you probably know, I have accepted a new job as a project manager. In a week or so, I’ll be working in my new job, I’m so excited! I hope you can visit in February.

How’s life treating you? Hope you and Lyndsay are doing well. I was really glad that you decided to go for a Master’s Degree. You’ve always been such a brilliant student.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing is because I have proposed to my girlfriend Emily and, as I know you and Lyndsay went to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam a few years ago for your honeymoon, I was wondering if you could give me some advice. Can you tell me which place you preferred? Do you think that I should rent an apartment or is it better to stay in a hotel? Also, do we need to get any vaccinations or take any medicines before we enter the countries?

Well, that’s all for now. I hope you can visit us soon once I am settled into my new job. Send my greetings to Lyndsay!

Best,

Johnathan

PS Emily doesn’t know anything about the trip. It’s going to be a surprise.

 EXAMPLE 3

Hey Monica,

It’s nice to hear from you after so long! How are you doing?

Sorry I haven’t been in touch for such a long time but I’ve been slammed at work recently. Anyway, I’d love to hear all your news and I’m hoping we can get together soon to catch up. We just moved to a larger flat in the city centre so maybe you can come and visit one weekend?

How’s the new job?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers,

Mike

 

PAU 1. OPINION. CONNECTORS

Advanced · Writing skills

Connectors for Opinion Essays

Choose the correct connector for each sentence. Correct answers turn green and complete the sentence. Wrong answers turn red, so you can try again.

0 / 20 correct · 0 mistakes

PAU 1. OPINION ESSAY

Advanced · Writing skills

Opinion Essays: Useful Expressions

Translate these sentences into English using expressions for opinion essays. Write your translation first, then click "Show answer" to check it. The key expressions appear in bold in the answers.

Introduction

1. 1A menudo se argumenta que las redes sociales unen a las personas; sin embargo, otros creen que nos aíslan.

   It is often argued that social media brings people together; however, others believe that it isolates us.

2. 2En los últimos años, la cuestión de si los deberes son necesarios se ha vuelto cada vez más polémica.

   In recent years, the question of whether homework is necessary has become increasingly controversial."whether" = si (when there are two options)

3. 3Este ensayo defenderá que el transporte público debería ser gratuito por dos razones principales.

   This essay will argue that public transport should be free for two main reasons."argue" here means defender, not discutir

Giving your opinion

4. 4En mi opinión, los uniformes escolares limitan la creatividad de los alumnos.

   In my view, school uniforms limit students' creativity.Avoid "In my opinion, I think…": it is repetitive

5. 5Creo firmemente que el aprendizaje de idiomas debería empezar en educación infantil.

   I firmly believe that language learning should start in pre-school.

6. 6Desde mi punto de vista, no cabe duda de que el teletrabajo ha llegado para quedarse.

   From my perspective, there is little doubt that remote working is here to stay.

7. 7Me parece que las ventajas de vivir en el campo superan claramente las desventajas.

   It seems to me that the advantages of living in the countryside clearly outweigh the disadvantages.After a preposition (of) we use -ing: of living

Adding arguments

8. 8La razón principal por la que apoyo esta opinión es que el deporte mejora la salud mental.

   The main reason why I support this view is that sport improves mental health.

9. 9Además, merece la pena tener en cuenta que muchos jóvenes no pueden permitirse una vivienda.

   Furthermore, it is worth considering that many young people cannot afford a home."worth" + -ing: worth considering

10. 10Otro punto clave es que la tecnología puede distraer a los alumnos en clase.

    Another key point is that technology can distract students in class.

11. 11No solo reduce la contaminación, sino que también ahorra dinero.

    Not only does it reduce pollution, but it also saves money.Inversion: after "Not only", the auxiliary goes before the subject

Giving examples and evidence

12. 12Un claro ejemplo de esto es el éxito de los coches eléctricos en Noruega.

    A clear example of this is the success of electric cars in Norway.

13. 13Esto es especialmente evidente en las grandes ciudades, donde el tráfico es un problema diario.

    This is particularly evident in big cities, where traffic is a daily problem.

14. 14Según estudios recientes, los adolescentes pasan más de cuatro horas al día con el móvil.

    According to recent studies, teenagers spend more than four hours a day on their phones.Never "according to me": use "in my view"

Showing the other side

15. 15Es cierto que algunas personas afirman que los videojuegos son una pérdida de tiempo.

    Admittedly, some people claim that video games are a waste of time.

16. 16Si bien es cierto que el turismo crea empleo, no hay que olvidar que también daña el medio ambiente.

    While it is true that tourism creates jobs, it should not be forgotten that it also damages the environment.

17. 17Sin embargo, este argumento no tiene en cuenta que no todas las familias tienen acceso a internet.

    Nevertheless, this argument fails to take into account that not all families have access to the internet.Use it right after a counterargument to answer it

Conclusion

18. 18Teniendo todo en cuenta, prohibir los móviles en los colegios es una medida razonable.

    All things considered, banning mobile phones in schools is a reasonable measure.-ing as the subject: banning

19. 19En conclusión, estoy convencido de que la educación debería ser más práctica porque prepara mejor a los alumnos para el futuro.

    In conclusion, I am convinced that education should be more practical because it prepares students better for the future.

20. 20Por todas estas razones, defendería que los gobiernos deberían invertir más en energías renovables.

    For all these reasons, I would argue that governments should invest more in renewable energy.

PAU. MULTIPLE CHOICE PRACTICE. 20 SENTENCES

 

1. She ___ too much alcohol for two years and now she has health problems.
a. has been drinking b. drinks c. drank d. had been drinking

2. If I had a computer, I ___ the essay on English grammar.
a. typed b. could type c. can type d. would have typed

3. Although she ___ vaccinated, she caught the flu.
a. has been b. is c. had been d. was

4. The policeman said they ___ them for illegal entry in the country.
a. will arrest b. arrested c. would arrest d. have arrested

5. The pieces of the broken toy ___ by the teacher.
a. glued b. were glued c. have glued d. are gluing

6. I ___ finish work earlier than usual today, but I'm not sure yet. 
a. should b. may c. must d. can’t

7. This is the place ___ we last had coffee together.
a. which b. when c. where d. what

8. I wish I ___ German fluently. I can't communicate with the new student.
a. spoke b. had spoken c. speak d. was speaking

9. His parents got angry with the boy because Ms Smith said he ___ himself.
a. hadn’t behaved b. hasn’t behaved c. didn’t behave d. wouldn’t behave

10. The instructions ___ by everybody first.
a. must be read b. can read c. are read d. should read

11. He tried ___ in English.
a. speak b. to speak c. spoke d. speaking

12. Where ___ your holidays last August? 
a. did you spend b. have you spent c. do you spend d. had you spent

13. This is the man ___ job is very dangerous.
a. which b. whose c. who’s d. who

14. I’ve ___ my television repaired by the engineer.
a. had b. did c. get d. made

15. She stopped ___ to French lessons. She didn't like the teacher. 
a. going b. to go c. gone d. go

16. I wish I ___ the dog on the head. I regret!
a. didn’t hit b. wouldn’t hit c. hadn’t hit d. haven’t hit

17. You are ___ at English than I am.
a. good b. better c. best d. the bes

18. The policeman knew ___ the thief was hidden.
a. who b. where c. which d. what

19. He apologized ___ being late to the meeting.
A. for B. about C. with D. at

20. As it ___, the children stayed at home.
a. was raining b. rains c. has rained d. rained

0. Vocabulary in context II

 Expressions on page 5, ex. 7

steal • balance • pay • leave • break • walk • live • take • play • turn • keep • jump • cost • make • meet

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Sentences

1. Don’t try to ______ the show; let everyone have their moment.

2. If you want independence, you have to ______ your own way.

3. Many families struggle to ______ ends meet every month.

4. She managed to ______ a record in the 100-meter race.

5. Some people are forced to ______ from hand to mouth.

6. The comedian managed to ______ the show with his hilarious jokes.

7. That luxury car will ______ you an arm and a leg.

8. It’s cruel to ______ someone alone when they need help.

9. Could you please ______ an eye on my bag while I go to the restroom?

10. During the concert, the audience asked him to ______ up the volume.

11. When he speaks harshly, she feels like she has to ______ on eggshells.

12. Parents often have to ______ the needs of their children first.

13. She didn’t hesitate to ______ at the chance of studying abroad.

14. In the project, he will ______ a key role as coordinator.

15. Brave people are those who dare to ______ action instead of waiting.

 

0. Vocabulary in context I

Word skills. page 5. Exercise 4

skilled • daring • troublemaker • scruffy • computer whizz • time-waster • self-discipline • role model • couch potato • outdated • powerful • poisonous • wealthy • cutting-edge • teammate • wonder • frightening • megastar • endless

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Sentences

1. Be careful, that mushroom is ______ and not safe to eat.

2. They talked for hours, with ______ stories to share.

3. She is a supportive ______ who always encourages others.

4. The singer quickly became a global ______ after her debut.

5. On weekends, he turns into a complete ______ watching TV all day.

6. The Great Wall of China is considered a ______ of the world.

7. My cousin is a ______ who can fix any tech problem.

8. Success often comes from hard work and ______.

9. The thunderstorm was loud and ______.

10. The teacher kept an eye on the class ______ during the lesson.

11. That phone is so ______ it can’t even run modern apps.

12. The company is known for its ______ technology.

13. He showed up to the interview in a ______ old jacket.

14. She is a ______ painter who can capture emotions with every brushstroke.

15. The storm was so ______ it knocked down several trees.

16. The ______ climber scaled the mountain without any safety ropes.

17. The ______ businessman donated millions to charity.

18. Scrolling endlessly on social media can be a huge ______.

19. She is a ______ for young athletes around the world.