Let's English

Idioms describing health Mark had been feeling under the weather  for weeks. One day he came into work looking like death warmed up  and we told him to go away for a few days to recharge his batteries . After one day beside the sea, he no longer felt off colour  and by the second day he knew he was on the road to recovery . He sent us a postcard and we were all glad to learn that he was on the mend . By the end of the week, he returned to work as fit as a fiddle . And he's been as right as rain ever since. 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Idioms Idioms based on medical images Try not to mention baldness while he's here - it's a sore spot for him. Refusing to lend him money now would give him a taste of his own medicine - he's never lent you any. Losing my job was initially a bitter pill to swallow . The boss has sugared the overtime pill  by offering a large extra payment. I can't stay in one place for more than a year without g...

Complete the text with the correct sentence from below. The Coliseum The Coliseum is an ancient stadium in the center of Rome. It is the largest of its kind. It is very old. They started building it in the year 70. It took ten years to build. It is still around today. The Coliseum has been used in many ways. In ancient Rome, men fought each other in it. A.___ Oh my! It was dreadful. But most of the people loved it. As many as 80,000 Romans would pack inside to watch. These gruesome events went on until 523. The Coliseum has been damaged many times over the years. It was struck by lightning in the year 217. This started a fire. Much of the Coliseum is made of stone. B.___. They were made of wood. This damage took many years to repair. It was not finished until the year 240. The worst damage happened in 1349. A mighty earthquake shook Rome and the Coliseum. The south side of the building collapsed. Pieces of the arena were all over the ground. Many people took the fallen st...

Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use the structure have something done. ________________(we / the house / paint) this week . I lost my key. I'll have to _______________(another key / make). When was the last time_____________(you / your hair / cut)? __________________ (you I a newspaper I deliver) to your house every day, or do you go out and buy one? A: What's happening in your garden? B: Oh, ____________________(we I a garage I build). A:_______________________ (you I the washing machine I fix)? B: Not yet. There's someone coming to look at it next week. If you want to wear earrings, why don't you ________________-(you I your ears I pierce)?

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using no more than 3 words. Baseball is more popular than any other sport in the USA. Baseball is the _______ popular sport in the USA. Nick was given a ticket to a baseball game by his friend Akio. Nick's friend Akio ________ him a ticket to a baseball game.  Nick had never been to a baseball game before. It was the ________ Nick had been to a baseball game. Nick wasn't sure when the match would finish. Nick wasn't sure ________ long the match would go on for.  In the game the Dolphins team played better than the Giants. In the game the Giants team dind't play as ________the Dolphins. Now Nick can't wait for the next game. Now Nick is really looking________ to the next game.

Firstly, you have to watch the video in which Leonardo di Caprio talks about the effects of climate change in front of the United Nations Climate Summit. What does he said about the climate change and its effects? What is he trying with this speech? What do you think about it?

Read the advice from a sports expert. Then complete each sentence using one word from the box and any other necessary information. 'Hello, my name's Vernon Marchewski and I'm going to tell you about the besy way to improve your fitness. If you're interested in being an athlete, or just doing sport for fun, this advice is for you. I think the most important thing is to choose a workout that you enjoy. Don't cycle if you don't like cycling. You need to do something that will motivate you, so avoid activities that are too hard for you, or boring.  To make your workout more fun and challenging, do it a bit differently each time. Try a new activity, or vary how long you spend doing something, and how difficult you make it. Another great way to motivate yourself is to make sure you have goals. For example, if you run 5 km a day, try to increase it to 6. But be careful, don't overtrain. This cn lead to injury, and your body needs to rest as well as work har...

Similarities Peter is similar to his brother in many ways. Peter and his brother are very similar . Peter and his brother are quite alike. Maria and Rebecca both passed their exams. But neither  wants to go to university. The two boys have a lot in common . Differences His early films are different from  his later ones. Paula is quite unlike  her sister. They have nothing in common. Using 'compare' We want to compare  the prices of all the televisions before we decide which one to buy. They made a comparison of   average salaries in different parts of the country. Our new flat is very big compare with/to  our old one. If you compare this one with  the others, I'm sure you'll see a difference. Exceptions It snowed everywhere except  on the west coast. The two girls are very similar except that Louise has slightly longer hair. The museum is open every day except for Sundays. Everyone heard the fire ...

Secrets Angela: You're keeping  something from  me, aren't you? Steve: Well, sort of, Jill really opened up  to me last night. She poured out  a lot of things but made me promise not to tell anyone and I can't go back on  my word. Angela: Go on. You can tell me, I won't let on to Jill or anyone else. Steve:No, I can't. In the course of her outpouring  she owned up  to something quite serious and I really can't tell you about it. You'd be far too shocked! 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Phrasal Verbs. 2. Let's talk! Talk or write about some moment in which you have a secret or you tried to avoid telling any, using the previous Phrasal Verbs.

Complete the text with the -ing or to infinitive form of the verbs in brackets. The first explorers to cross Australia  John Stuart decided (cross)________ Australia from south to north in 1859. He wanted (win)________ a prize offered by the South Australian government. This mean (travel)_________ across mountains and desert for 3.000 kilometres. He and his three companions kept (ride)_______ for eight months before reaching the centre of the continent. What had they expected (find)_________? So far they had only succeeded in (discover)________ a huge desert. On this expedition Stuart failed (reach)_________ the coast, and turned back ill and short of food. He tried (complete)________ the journey they next year, but failed again. Finally in 1861 he managed (arrive)_________ at the northern coast, near the modern city of Darwin. Ever since he has been famous for (cross)__________ the continent, though sadly he died soon after his return to Adelaide.

which title is the best for each paragraph? JOHN F. KENNEDY Elected in 1960 as the 35th president of the United States, 43-year-old John F. Kennedy became the youngest man and the first Roman Catholic to hold that office. He was born into one of America’s wealthiest families and parlayed an elite education and a reputation as a military hero into a successful run for Congress in 1946 and for the Senate in 1952. As president, Kennedy confronted mounting Cold War tensions in Cuba, Vietnam and elsewhere. He also led a renewed drive for public service and eventually provided federal support for the growing civil rights movement. His assassination on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, sent shockwaves around the world and turned the all-too-human Kennedy into a larger-than-life heroic figure. To this day, historians continue to rank him among the best-loved presidents in American history. A. Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline,  Massachusetts , John F. Kenne...

Complete the following text choosing the best option below. The Escalator An American, Charles D. Seeberger, invented moving stairs to transport people 1.___ the 1890s. He 2.___ this invention an 'escalator', 3.___ the name from the Latin word 'scala', 4.___ means 'ladder'. Escalators move people up and down short 5.___. Lifts do the same, but only move 6.___ small number of people. If an escalator breaks down, it can still be 7.___ as ordinary stairs. An escalator can move 8.___ 8.000 and 9.500 people an hour, and it 9.___ not need a person to operate it. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, cities were 10.___ more crowded and the first escalators were built at railway station and in big department 11.___, so that people could move about more quickly. Today we see escalators everywhere. 1. A.in   B. at   C.by   D.on 2. A. announced   B. called   C. translated   D. explained 3. A. fetching   ...

Managing subjects and topics Well, there are a couple of matters which I want to bring up today for discussion. But before we get on to those questions,  I just want to run through the schedule for next week's sales conference, which you all have copies of. Someone asked me if we could talk about the new computer system, but I'd prefer to leave that aside  for today and come back to it another time. I'm sure I don't need to spell out  how important it is that we're all thoroughly prepared for next week's conference, so maybe we can deal with that first. So, let's have a quick run-through  of the schedule and discuss each event in turn. 1. Try to guess the meaning of the previous Phrasal Verbs Communicating and interacting with others Jim: I wish they had done what they said they would do. Nan: Yes, they should have kept to what they promised and not changed their minds. Freda: I don't know who to ask for help or advice on this matte...

Write an essay discussing which types of present is best to receive, giving reasons in support of your answer. 

Similar sounds This book is quite  good. My bedroom is very quiet. If you lose something, you do not know where you can find it. These trousers are very loose. Yesterday I fell and broke my arm. I felt ill yesterday, but I feel OK today. This cooker costs $500. He is a very good cook . Similar or related meanings Sam: Will you lend me your bicycle? Rita: Yes, of course, here you have. Lucas: Can I borrow  your car? Louis: Yes, of course. You can get it. The passport officer checked  my passport. The mouse controls  the computer. Other words often mixed up In English the afternoon  is from about 12 o'clock till 5 or 6 p.m. The evening  is from 5 or 6 p.m. until about 9 or 10 p.m. After 9 or 10 p.m., it is the night. They're waiting for the bus. I hope I pass my exams. I have not studied; I expect I'll fail my exams. 1. Try to guess the difference between these words. 2. Let's...

"Your Song" by Elton John  It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside I'm not one of ______ who can easily hide, I Don't have much money but boy, if I did I'd buy a big ______ where we both could live If I was a sculptor but _______ again, no Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show Oh, I know it's not much but it's the ______ I can do My _____ is my song And this one's for you And you can tell everybody this is your song It ______ be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind I hope you don't mind That I put down in ________ How wonderful life is while _______ in the world I sat on the roof and kicked up the moss Well, a few of the verses, well, ______ got me quite cross But the sun's been quite kind ______ I wrote this song It's for people like you that Keep it ______ on So excuse me forgetting But _____ things, I do You see, I've ...

Breaking down the language barrier? A look at Esperanto We are supposed to live in a 'globalised' world, or so we are increasingly taught in school. Many of us share elements of a globalised culture, at least, perhaps watching Japanese movies, listening to K-pop, or eating Indian food. Why is it, then, that so man of us tussle with the basics of global communication in this age of instant messaging, email and video conferencing? English may certainly be the (self-appointed) lingua franca of the globalised world, with millions of students struggling daily to learn its phrasal verbs and idioms. But English is the mother tongue of only a relatively small percentage of the global population, so wouldn't it be easier if we all spoke a simpler language? Perhaps what is needed is an international language. What is interesting is that, over a hundred years ago, a Dr Ludwig Zamenhof published a book about a new language that he had developed, with the intention of providi...

Fill in the gaps with the suitable form of the verbs in brackets. It can be Will or Be going to. - Allan _______ (get) up early tomorrow so he can go fishing. - We ________(see) that new movie tonight. Do you want to come with us? - The Simpsons went to the travel agency yesterday. They ________ (buy) their tickets tomorrow. - The plane ________ (arrive) on time. - We probably _________ (not/go) to the party next week. - I don't think I ________ (be) able to come to your party. -Your car engine doesn't sound very good. I sounds like it ________(die). - The weatherman says it ________ (be) a beautiful day tomorrow. I think I _______ (go) to the beach. - It's very hot in here.  I _________ (open) the window for you. - They took money out of the bank because they _________(buy) a new TV for their daughter. -Why did you take the sugar out of the cupboard? I _________ (bake) a cake. - He _________ (wear) a black tuxedo to the wedding. What _____________ (...

In the following text there are 15 mistakes. You have to find them and correct them. My name's Rosaria Mangiagatti and I'm from Fondi, a small town of Lazio. I live in a flat in the centre of the town with my family. There are five persons in my family - my mother, my father, my two brothers and myself. My mother name is Laura and she's a teacher. My father's name is Pietro and he is also teacher. My brothers' names are Luigi and Gian Franco. They are more young than me and they are both still at the school. We have got a dog called Flash. I am 19 years and I am a student at the Third University of Rome. I'm study English and French. I have been studying English for 3 years but my English is not very good. I speak French enough well. I don't have very free time, but I like dancing and playing the guitar. I go to dance classes twice a week. I also like go to the cinema and to the disco. I haven't a boyfriend at the moment. I went out with a boy called...

A Trip to Paris  1. Answer the following questions: What can you find in the Jardin des Tuileries? How are called the padlocks that you can find in the Pont des Arts? How many people visit Notre Dame each year? How many years did they need to finish the cathedral? Which is the main entrance to the Louvre? Which is the largest picture in the Louvre? How many bridges cross Sena river? What is the second highest point in Paris? What kind of art you can find in Pompidou? Who was Alexandre Gustave Eiffel?

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story that must begin with this sentence: I wanted to leave the city as soon as possible Write your story in about 100 words.

Have She's probably upstairs having a bath . We had dinner  and then went for a walk. I'll collapse if I don't have a drink  soon. I must have a bit to eat ; I'm starving. He has no experience of running a large company. You can't stop people from having fun. Its almost a year since we had a real holiday. Before I had the operation  I could hardly walk. We're having a party on Saturday. Can you come? If it's sunny we could have a picnic . I'm just going to lie down and have a rest. I don't have time  now. Do you have time ? Take Take a taxi - it's quicker. Who takes care of their small children when they're at work? She took control of the situation. When did you take the decision  to resign? She took a deep breath  and dived off the cliff. Why do we have to take so many exams ? Don't forget to take your medicine. I don't take part in plays but I like to watch. The concert took place at Wembley. Take...

Preparing Food and Drink Martha was having a dinner party for some friends. A few days earlier she had prepared a chicken casserole and put it in the freezer to make sure it did not go off . On the morning of the dinner party she removed it from the freezer and thawed it out . Then before her friends arrived she put the chicken on  and she made a salad. She heated up  the casserole, making sure that it did not boil over. Serving Food and Drink When her friends arrived, Martha handed round  olives and other snacks and her boyfriend poured out  drinks. He went round the room topping up glasses whenever he noticed that anyone needed a top-up . Then they sat at the table and had the chicken casserole. Everyone said how well it went with the salad and nothing was left over  at the end of the meal. Styles of eating and drinking As there were no leftovers the next day, Martha decided to get a takeaway. She ordered a curry to take away . Martha's ...

These people want to visit a museum. Here you have the description of eight museums. Decide which museum would be the most suitable for each one. Museums in the Area Cristina wants to visit a museum with her daughter to see how people used to live. They want to have lunch there and buy some presents to take home. They will go by car. Joanne wants to visit a museum and see people making things. She has no car and would like to have lunch there. Carl's hobby is painting pictures, so he would like to see the work of other painters who live in the area. He wants to have a snack at the museum. He travels by public transport. Duncan wants to find out where local people worked in the past and what they did in their spare time. He wants to buy a book about the exhibition. He travels by bus. The Cannavaro family want to walk around a site which offers opportunities for the whole family to take part in activities. They want somewhere pleasant to eat their own sandwiches. They have ...

Read the information about the development. Then complete the text using the passive form of the verbs in brackets. Development In many countries in recent years, areas of urban land which were once used for industrial purposes (redevelop)_________ for other purposes. In London, for example, the Docklands (transform)________ since the 1980s. The docks (built)_________ in the 19th century when London was a busy port, but by the 1980s, most business (lose)_________ and many docks (close)________. This left large areas of derelict land, and many people without jobs. Since the 1980s, $10 billion (€14.7 billion) (spend)________ on the project. 600 hectareas of derelict land (improve)________. 90 km of new roads (build)________, 80.000 new jobs (create)________ and 24.000 new homes (construct)_________. In addition to this,, 100.000 new trees (plant)________ and 130 hectareas of parks (create)__________. Cultural venues such as the Docklands Arena (open)_______. Some local people do...

You see this announcement in a leisure magazine: We are looking for articles which encourage young people to take up an unusual leisure activiy. Your article should outline the activity, describe one or two of your own experiences of doing the activity and explain how you think young people can benefit from doing this activity. Write your article

Listen the following video and choose the best option of the exercises that appear in it.

FIRST GROUNDHOG DAY On this day in 1887,  G roundhog Day , featuring a rodent meteorologist, is celebrated for the first time at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania . According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring. Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal–the hedgehog–as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the Keystone State. Groundhogs, also called woodchucks and whose scientific name is  Marmota monax , typicall...

Booking travel and holidays A scheduled flight  is a normal, regular flight; a charter flight  is a special flight taking a group of people, usually to the same holiday destination. Apex  fares normally have to be booked a fixed number of days in advance and they offer value for money . Budget  fares are usually cheaper but may have restrictions  (e.g. you can only travel on certain days) and are usually non-refundable  (you can't get your money back) or if you cancel, you may have to pay a cancellation fee . Some tickets allow a stopover  (you may stay somewhere overnight before continuing to your destination). All- in packages  normally include accomodation and transfers (e.g. a bus or coach to and from your hotel). Sea travel is normally on a ferry, and the journey is called a crossing, but you can have a holiday on the sea if you go on a cruise . For some people a luxury cruise is the holiday of a lifetime  (one you will always r...