Let's English

The Living Room 1. Link the number with the correct word - Picture                      -Grille                          -Receiver                            -Curtain                             -Furniture                    -Magazine rack                  -Vase                   -Lamp                  - Parquet flooring              -Cupboard                    - Shelf                   -DVD  ...

Cause and Effect We accidentally set off  the burglar alarm when we came into the house. The crisis sparked off  a bitter civil war. The Prime Minister's speech triggered off violent protests in cities up and down the country. You shouldn't have mentioned flying saucers. You've set him off  now. The new airport has brought about a lot of changes on this island. I don't know what lies behind  Mr Smith's attack on me. Maybe he's trying to pay me back  for something I said about him. Or maybe he's just stirring things up. This photograph brings back  memories of when we lived in Scotland, when I was a child. The doctors still haven't ruled out  the possibility that he might have cancer. I think most problems teenagers experience spring from a feeling of insecurity. 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Phrasal Verbs related with causes and effects. 2. Complete the sentences using a phrasal verb. Write the verb in the co...

You are going to read part of the autobiography of a surfing instructir. Then, you have to choose which section(s) answer the following questions. Walking of Waves Sarah Whiteley talks about her love of surfing and how it began A. My journey to the sea began when I was tiny. My mum, who used to surf them, would sit me on one of her old boards and push me into the little waves in a few centimetres of water. We both soon realised I had an unstoppable appetite for the waves, something which has never faded. Soon after that we moved to a house which almost on the beach. I could literally walk out of the garden into the sea. Living by the sea is something you never take for granted if you surf. I open the curtains in the morning and my heart leaps as I see the long perfect lines of waves rolling into the bay. B. Being the only girl in the water when I was learning to surf never bothered me because I'd always been trying to keep up with an elder brother who was exceptionally g...

Complete the text with a relative pronoun in each space, or leave it blank if it is possible. John Lennon John Lennon, _______ was born in 1940, was a member of the Beatles, the British rock group. He grew up in Liverpool, ________ he performed in a number of groups, and met the other members of the Beatles. After studying at art college, _______ he disliked as much as he had disliked school, Lennon spent his time learning to be a musician. In 1962, the Beatles had their first hit record, ________ was soon followed by success in the USA. Lennon and Paul McCartney, another young musician _______ he had med in 1957, wrote most of the group's songs. The success of the Beatles, ________ was worldwide, created problems for Lennon, ________ often said exactly what he thought to the press and TV, and got into trouble. By the time the Beatles stopped working together, ________ came about during the late 1960s. Lennon's songs had become both political and highly personal. His ...

Choose the correct word for each gap The Rockies The Rocky Mountains run almost the length 1._____ North America. They start in the North-West, but lie only a 2.______ hundred miles from the centre in more southern areas. Although the Rockies are smaller 3._____ the Alps, they are no less wonderful. There are many roads across the Rockies, 4._____ the best way to see them is to 5._____ by train. You start from Vancouver, 6.______ most attractive of Canada's big cities. Standing with its feet in the wayer and its head in the mountains, this city 7.______ its residents to ski on slopes just 15 minutes by car from the city 8.______. Thirty passenger trains a day used to 9._____ off from Vancouver on the cross-continent railway. Now there are just three a week, but the ride is still a great adventure. You sleep on board, 10.______ is fun, but travel through some of the best 11._____ at night. 1. A.of     B. down     C. in   ...

Perceiving situations I heard it on/ through the grapevine  that you're thinking of leaving the company. Is it true? He doesn't hate you at all. It's completely untrue. It's just a figment of your imagination . The Prime Minister seems to have lost sight of why she was elected. She's broken all her promises to the people. What beats me is why people are prepared to sit in a traffic jam every morning for half an hour just to get to work. I'm having second thoughts about moving house. I like this part of the city and I'm not sure I'd be happy anywhere else. I don't know all the ins and outs  of the situation, but it seems that David has decided to move out of the flat he shares with Ruth and Monica. 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Idioms in bold. 2. Answer the following questions: Have you ever decided to do something, then had second thoughts about it? What was it? Think of something you heard recently on the gra...

What’s the Real History of Black Friday? It makes sense that the term “Black Friday” might refer to the single day of the year when retail companies finally go “into the black” (i.e. make a profit). The day after Thanksgiving is, of course, A._____. But the real story behind Black Friday is a bit more complicated—and darker—than that. The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” was applied not to holiday shopping but to financial crisis: B._____. Two notoriously ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, worked together to buy up as much as they could of the nation’s gold, hoping to drive the price sky-high and sell it for astonishing profits. On that Friday in September, the conspiracy finally unraveled, sending the stock market into free-fall and bankrupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers. The most commonly repeated story behind the post-Thanksgiving shopping-related Black Friday tradition links it to retailers. As the story goes, after an ent...

The Story of Thanksgiving Tell or write about what you understand of the history of Thanksgiving after watching the video.

Describe some of the ways in which the place where you live has changed during your lifetime. Write a description, explaining whether these changes are for the better or the worse, and why you think this.

Marketing  Implementation:   the act of providing a means for accomplishing something. Internal control:  an accounting procedure or system designed to promote efficiency or assure the implementation of a policy or safeguard assets or avoid fraud and error etc. Quantitative analysis:  chemical analysis to determine the amounts of each element in the substance. Promotional material:  a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution. Enhancement:  an improvement that makes something more agreeable. Pricing:  the evaluation of something in terms of its price. Optimize:  make optimal; get the most out of; use best. Profitability:  the quality of affording gain or benefit or profit. Promotional:  of or relating to serving as publicity. Analytical:  using or skilled in using reasoning. Maximize:  make as big or large as possible. Interpersonal:  occurring among or involvi...

Read the following information about Heinrich Schliemann and rewrite it using Reported Speech when it's neccesary. Heinrich Schliemann Heinrich Schliemann was a German achaeologist who excavated a city in Turkey in 1871 and decided that it was ancient Troy. He found evidence of destruction by war, and also discovered some gold objects. Nowadays archaeologists belive that his methods of excavation were unscientific, and they also believe that some of his discoveries were false. Recently many experts have said: "Schliemann had a habit of not telling the truth, and this has rised doubts about his work." For example, he told everyone: "I am a US citizen", but in fact this wasn't true. He also said: "I have a degree from the University of Rostock", but in fact the university rejected his thesis. He said: "I have found gold jewellery at Hissarlik", but some people believe these were modern pieces. In fact, his servant later told pe...

Singular or plural? 1. Explain the difference  between the meaning of the words in bold in the following pair of sentences: I'd like to buy some new curtains  for my room. The right curtain  in longer than the left one. I hope you enjoy your holiday  in Britain. This year I have 2 months free in the summer holidays.  My uncle's house is in the mountains  near Turin. I love to go to the mountain and breath fresh air.  I am going to buy some new clothes  for the wedding. Cloth handbags are inexpensive, but not very durable. 2. Complete the sentences with a singular or plural wor from the previous exercise. That ________ is torn, so I'm going to mend it. During the summer _________, I worked in a shop. I climbed the _______ behind the house one morning. Where's the _______ for washing the dishes?  My bed cover is flowery, just like the ________ at the windows. Come and visit me for your next ________ I wore...

8 Hidden Secrets In The Mona Lisa Write or tell the 8 hidden secrets in the Mona Lisa and explain them (why is this say?)

Complete the following text using the Second Conditional What would happen if drilled a tunnel through the centre of the Earth and jumped into it? It would be impossible to do this on Earth because it is too hot, but you could do it on the moon. Imagine a tunnel through the moon. If you __________(jump) into the tunnel you _________(accelerate) toward the centre at a very high speed because of gravity. Then you ________(go) through the centre and start slowing down. Then, when you ________(reach) the end of the tunnel on the other side of the moon, you __________(stop), and then you _________(fall) back down the tunnel in the other direction. You _______(go) backwards and forwards like this forever.

With the meaning "NOT" Un- is used with many different words Im- is used before some words beginning with m  or p Il- is used before some words beginning with l Ir- is only used before some words beginning with r Dis- is used before some adjectives In- is used before a limited number of words 1. Make a list with some words that you know using the previous Prefixes Some verb prefixes Un-  the opposite of an action Dis-   to reverse the action Re-  again Over-  too much Mis-  badly or incorrectly 2. Try to make some sentences using verbs with any of the previous prefixes.

Being Busy John:  I haven't seen you for ages. Have you been a bit tied up  at work? Lucas:  Yes, I've been incredibly busy. I was away for a conference and the work just piled up  while I was away. I've been snowed under ever since. Although I slave away  till seven at night and even work at weekends, I still can't seem to catch up with everything! John:  Sorry, I asked! 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Phrasal Verbs. Working hard Roi:  How are things going for you at work at the moment, Lauren? Lauren:  Well, we're branching out into a new product line - children's clothes -  so I'm pretty busy. At the moment I'm working out  some new designs for leisurewear. We're working towards  having a complete range for children of all ages. It's quite difficult but I'm sure I'll develop some good designs if I keep at it. Roi:  Well, you always were good at sticking at things. Lauren:...

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born on the 13th of August, 1899. He was an English film director and producer. He is often referred to as the "Master of Suspense" because he was one of the first film makers to introduce the elements of the  suspense  and  psychological thriller  genres in cinema. He first started making successful  silent films  and early  talkies  in Britain and became renowned as England's best director. Then, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood in 1939, and became a U.S. citizen in 1955. Public figure Hitchcock became a highly visible public figure through interviews, film trailers, and the ten years in which he hosted the television program  Alfred Hitchcock Presents  (1955–1965). He also made brief appearances, technically called  cameo appearances , in his own films. For example, he is seen struggling to get a double bass onto a train ( Strangers on a Train ), walking dogs out of a ...

Complete the text with the correct form of the verb in brackets using Past Simple or Past Perfect Archimedes and his bath Archimedes, the Greek mathematician, is probably most famous for the story of King Hieron II of Syracuse and the gold crown. The king _________(want) to give a gold crown as a gift to the gods, and ________(give) a carefully weighed amount of gold to a goldsmith. The man ________(produce) a beautiful crown, but the king was worried that the craftsman __________(not use) all the gold to make the crown. Dishonest craftsmen often ________(mix) gold with silver, which was cheaper, but the king could not find a way of proving that the man _________(do) this. He _________(ask) Archimedes to solve the problem. Archimedes ________(know) that gold and silver have different densities. The problem was that nobody could calculate the mass of an object like a crown. While Archimedes ________(think) about this problem, he decided to go to the public baths to relax. While...

Complete the following sentences with a comparative or superlative form, adding any words that are needed. You may use some words twice. boring     warm    simple     good    wonderful    lucky    intelligent    comfortable    hot    old    far    difficult     cheap    bad    interesting This exercise is too easy - can't we try a _________ one? England's too cold in spring - let's go to Spain where it's ______ She comes top in all the exams - she must be _________ girl in the class. The temperature in July reaches forty-four degrees - it's ________ month of the year. Let's buy this video - it doesn't cost that much - it's ________ the other one. This pen's not very good - I'd like a _______ one, please. When I passed my driving test, it was the _________ day of my life. Lying down in bed is ________ sitting on a hard cha...

1. Ask a question about the information underlined in each of the following sentences using the appropriate question words We live in the old town. I gave the book to Valerie. Susan lent me her car. I got married 6 months ago. He plays football  best. I'd like the pink pullover, please. A madman murdered the President. A madman murdered the President 2. Underline the correct verb form to fill the gaps. They'd rather go somewhere else, _____ they? A. hadn't    B. didn't    C. wouldn't    D. would You've got three sisters, _____? A.have you got     B. don't you     C. isn't it     D. haven't you  She needs to be more careful, _____? A. don't she    B. doesn't she     C. doesn't she need    S. needn't she You're having an operation next week, _____? A. isn't it     B. don't you have     C.don't you ...

Let's listen to the following song and complete the lyrics: The House of the Rising Sun There is a house in New Orleans They _______ the Rising Sun And _______been the ruin of many a poor boy And God I know ______ one My mother was a tailor She __________my new bluejeans My father was a gamblin' ______ Down in New Orleans Now the only thing a gambler needs Is a suitcase _________ trunk And the only time _______ satisfied Is when he's on, a drunk Oh mother tell your children Not to do what I ______ done Spend your lives in ______and misery In the House of the Rising Sun Well, I got one foot on the platform The other ______ on the train I'm goin' back to New Orleans To wear ______ ball and chain Well, there is a house in New Orleans They ______ the Rising Sun And it's _______ the ruin of many a poor boy And God I know _____ one

You have invented your English friend Jo to stay with you next month, but you now need to delay this visit. Write a card to send to Jo. In your card, you should: apologise to Jo. explain why the visit has to be delayed. suggest when it would be convenient for Jo to come.

Personal finance Sometimes in a shop they ask you: "How do you want to pay?". You can answer: " Cash/ By cheque/ By credit car." In a bank  you usually have a current account , which is one where you pay in your salary  and then withdraw money to pay your everyday bills. The bank sends you a regular bank statement telling you how much money is in your account. You may also have a savings accouny where you deposit  any extra money that you have and only take money out  when you spend  it on   something special. You usually try to avoid having an overdraft  or you end up paying a lot of interest. If your account is overdrawn , you can be said to be in the red (as opposed to in the black or in credit ). Sometimes the bank may lend you money - this is called a bank loan . If the bank (or building society ) lends you money to buy a house, that money is called a mortage . When you buy   (or, more formally, purchase ) something i...

Happiness I'm thrilled to bits. I'm on cloud nine . I am/feel on the top of the world. I'm over the moon . I'm in seventh heaven. I get a (real) kick out of going for a run first thing in the morning before anyone else is up. Sandra is keen to have a go at bungee-jumping -  just for kicks. Rowena jumped for joy when she heard that she'd won first prize. I've been walking/ floating on air even since Chris and I started going out together. I's great to hear from you. It's really made my day. 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Idioms. 2. Correct the mistakes in these idioms: The child was thrilled for bits to have her photo in the paper. I felt as I was floating in air as I ran down  the hill into his arms. Your telephone call has really done my day. Jill said he was on cloud seven and Jack agreed that he was in the fith heaven. Stereotypically, happy footballers say that they are over the sun. 3. Answer the qu...

Holidays in Sydney This people are all on holiday in Sydney, Australia. There are descriptions below of eight places to visit. Decide which place would be the most suitable for each of the following people. Mark is an engineer and would like to spend a day looking at modern inventions and scientific discoveries. His 12-year-old daughter will probably go with him. Sarah Jones and her young son want to spend a day out and see some of the animals that Australia is famous for. Sarah also wants to buy presents to take home. Before she leaves Australia, Susan wants to spend a day shopping. She is looking for something special for her father, who is interested in art. She dislikes large shopping centres. Mario is hoping to spend six months touring round the whole of Australia. Before setting off he wants to find out as much as possible about its history and inhabitants. Stefan Holmstrom is interedted in modern buildi...

Put the verb in brackets in a suitable form, using a negative where necessary. The extinction of the dinosaurs The dinosaurs probably became extinct after a giant asteroid hit the Earth about 65 million years ago. But what _________(happen) if this asteroid __________(miss)? Scientists believe that in this case, dinosaurs _______(continue) to dominate the Earth, and that modern animals _______(probably exist). Instead of elephants and lions and so on, there _______(be) different types of dinosaurs, because the animals we have now simply _______(be able) to evolve. Some scientists have even suggested that dinosaurs ________(develop) along the same lines as human beings, but this is a minority view. The general view is that perhaps dinosaur brains _______(grow) larger, but if they _______(exist) today, dinosaurs ________(change) very much in general, and _________(look) much the same. The prospects for human beings would not be so good, however. If the asteroid _______(collide) ...

Think on one word only which can be used appropriately in all three sentences. The old maths teacher always used to ________ us a lot of homework. The judge's decision _______ a precedent for similar cases. I hoped I've managed to ________ your mind. I can't see the _______ of going so far for such a short time. There was a _______ of excitement in the theatre as the curtain rose. You are in no ________ obliged to do what she has asked you to do.   If you move along a little there'll be enough _______ at the table for us all. You work is getting better but there is still ________ for improvement. There's a fitting ________ over there if you want to try anything on.  I didn't find the _______ of the film totally convincing, did you' The science teacher asked the class to ________ the results of their experiment on a graph.  The police claim to have uncovered a ________ to break into Parliament. Restaurants often use ________ li...

The Gingerbread Man Before listening: Have you ever listened this story? Let's listen! 1. Complete the following paragraphs from the listening. They are not together on it. Once _____ a time, there was an old women and ______ husband, who lived alone in a _____ house in the forest. The couple had no children, and _________ this made the old woman feel ________. So one day, she _________ to make a boy at the gingerbread. And so the gingerbread man run and run, ______ very soon he was a long ____ from the little house. While he was running, he ______ a cow. "Mooooo", said the cow. "You look very fine _______ to eat". And the cow ________ to chase the little man. But the gingerbread man ran _______saying, "I ran away from an old woman, I ran away from an old man, and I can run away from you, I ______?". The gingerbread man was proud ______ he can run so fast. "Noboday can catch me," he _________. So he kept __...

Can I use the future after When or If?  1. Tick the correct sentence in each pair When she starts her new job she'll get a company car. When she'll start her new job she'll get a company car. If you miss the train you'll have to take a taxi. If you will miss the train you'll have to take a taxi. 2. Complete the sentences below using the correct form of the verbs. I you ______(treat) her so unfairly she'll walk out of the job. Could you phone me when__________ (you/have) the results of the test? By the time they _______ (arrive) the match will be over. If Kathy _______(get) in touch next week, I'll let you know. Let's go out for a drink after we ______(finish) these accounts. I don't like unexpected visitors, so I hope she rings before she _______(arrive)! You can't drive a car in England until you ______(be) seventeen. You ______(have to/ retake) the exam if you_____(fail) it.

One thing before another Before I went to work I fed the cat. I had written to her prior  to meeting the committee. It was nice to be in Venice. Previously  I'd only been to Rome. I was in the office from 2.30. I was out earlier on/ before then. The city is now called Thatcherville. Formerly  it was Grabtown. Things happening at the same time While I waited, I read the newspaper. As I was driving to work, I saw an accident. I saw her just as she was turning the corner. During  the war, I lived in Dublin. Throughout the war, food was rationed. She was entering at the very time/ at the vey moment  I was leaving. One thing after another After I'd locked up, I went to bed. We went to the castle. Then we caught a bus to the beach. First we went to the theatre. After that, we had a meal. He fell ill and was admitted to hospital. He died soon afterwards. Following  my visit to Pekin, I bought lots of books about China. ...

Read the situations and complete the sentences using will ('LL) or going to. The phone rings and you answer. Somebody wants to speak to John. CALLE R: Hello. Can I speak to John, please? You: just a moment. I ,.... ...... him. (I /get) lt's a nice day, so you have decided to t ake a walk. just before you go, you tell your friend. You: The weather's too nice to stay in. ..... . ........ .... ..... ........... .. .. .... . .... ... ..... a walk. (I / take) FRIEND: Good idea! I think ..................................................................................... ....... ................. you. (I /join) Your friend is worried because she has lost her driving licence. You: Don't worry. I'm sure .. . . ..... . ..... it. (you /find) FRIEND: I hope SO. There was a job advertised in the paper recently. At first you were interested, but then you decided not to apply. FRIEND: Have you decided what to do about that job you were interested...