sábado, 27 de septiembre de 2014
domingo, 17 de agosto de 2014
THE UNITED STATES
The United States
The United States is a large country. It is the third largest in the whole world! It is located in a continent called North America. Parts of the United States touch three different oceans. The United States has tall mountains, wide plains, deserts, hills, rivers, lakes, volcanoes, and even rainforests! People from all over the world have come to live in the United States.
There are 50 states in the United States. The newest states, Alaska and Hawaii, are not connected to the other states. Alaska is the largest state and Hawaii is a chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
READING COMPREHENSION
- 1.Alaska is ___________ and Hawaii is ___________
- a chain of islands; the largest state
- not connected to the other states; the largest state.
- the largest state; a chain of islands
- connected to the other states; a chain of islands.
2. Parts of the United States touch _______ different oceans.
- 1
- 4
- 2
- 2
3. The United States is the _____________ country in the world.
- third largest
- largest
- second largest
- smallest
4.The United States does not have...
- 50 states
- volcanoes
- continents
- mountains
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
Saint Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday
Hallmark holiday refers to a holiday that is perceived to exist mainly for commercial reasons, rather than to celebrate a traditionally significant religious or secular event. Although many people view these celebrations in a negative way, others have positive views. On the negative side, hallmark holidays don't really celebrate an important event, and only exist for companies to make a lot of money. On the positive side, the term describes the perfect holiday in which family, friends, and fun come first. Everyday problems, worries, and stress can be put aside. Valentine's Day, which is celebrated on February 14, is usually considered to be one of the hallmark holidays.
In Valentine's Day billions of cards are sent. It is also an opportunity for customers to buy chocolates, flowers, engagement rings, romantic dinners, and so on. This commercial aspect can be traced back to the 19th century when printing technology improved to cheaply mass-produce greeting cards. But the origin of the celebration is much more ancient and can be traced back to a Roman festival called "Lupercalia" which was held in mid-February every year. The celebration purified new life in the spring. Around the third century A.D., the holiday became associated with Saint Valentine, although it isn't exactly clear how.
Historical Origin of the Celebration
A popular explanation of the link between Saint Valentine and the Holiday says that at the time of the Roman "Lupercalia" Festival marriage was a common tradition, but when Claudius became Emperor he changed all of that. He outlawed all marriages because he was afraid that men would refuse their duty to fight because they would not want to leave their wives behind. Young couples still fell in love though and still wished to marry and they took these desires to the Catholic Bishop Valentine who, understanding love, began to secretly marry couples. When Claudius found out, he arrested Valentine and sentenced him to death. While waiting in prison, Valentine began exchanging letters with the prisoner's daughter and soon had fallen in love with her. The day he was to be beheaded, he wrote her one last note and signed it: "From Your Valentine".
In 496 A.D. Christianity had taken over Rome and Pope Gelasius outlawed the pagan Lupercian Festival. Knowing it’s popularity, he looked to replace it with something more "appropriate" and set aside a day in February to honor the martyr St. Valentine. Even though in 1969 the church removed St. Valentines Day from it’s calendar of "official" holidays, it is still widely celebrated today. And although Valentine's Day has become quite commercial, it still contains an important aspect shared by all of the best holidays - time spent thinking of and being with the one you love.
THANSGIVING DAY
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the USA and Canada. In The USA, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. The Canadians celebrate it on the second Monday in October. It is associated with giving thanks to God. In the beginning people expressed gratitude for the harvest they reaped. It used to be a religious holiday but now it has become a secular celebration.
The most important part of the celebration is the dinner which includes the customary turkey served with cranberry sauce, and pumpkin. A lot of business goes on during this holiday. For example, restaurants take advantage of the holiday to sell turkey dinners
Families and friends usually get together for a large meal or dinner during Thanksgiving and have a lot of fun. That's why, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is considered one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Students are given a four-day or five-day weekend vacation. Thanksgiving is also a paid holiday for most workers.
Source: Wikipedia and Encyclopedia
INTERNATIONAL WORKER'S DAY
International Workers' Day
The struggle to have eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest was the origin of International Workers' Day, which is also referred to as May Day or Labor Day. The celebration commemorates the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago in 1886, when Chicago police shoot workers who were striking to establish the eight hour day. Many workers died in the event.
Historically, the first congress of the Second International, which was an organization of socialist and labor parties formed in Paris on July 14, 1889, called for international demonstrations on the 1890 anniversary of the Chicago protests. In 1891, the Second International recognized May Day as an annual event. In 1904, Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries were called on to demonstrate actively on May First to establish eight hours of work a day and to get workers rights. Unions of all countries were urged to go on strike on May 1, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers.
Most countries celebrate International Workers' Day on May 1st, except in the United States and Canada, where Labor Day is held in September. Millions of working people and their labor unions, all over the world, organize street demonstrations and street marches. Several countries celebrate the day with parades, shows and other patriotic and labor-oriented events. Governments are urged to readjust salaries and wages and to acknowledge workers rights to strike and hold unions.
SUMMER
Summer
Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons which also include winter spring and autumn. It occurs between spring and autumn. It is known for the longest days and shortest nights. The seasons start on different dates in different cultures based on astronomy and regional meteorology. However, when it is summer in the southern hemisphere it is winter in the northern hemisphere, and vice versa. Summer is traditionally associated with hot dry weather, but this does not occur in all regions. For example, the wet season occurs during summer across many parts of the tropics and subtropics. Tropical cyclones develop and roam the tropical and subtropical oceans during the summer. In the interior of continents, thunderstorms are most likely to produce hail during the afternoon and evening. Schools and universities have a summer break to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.
People take advantage of the warmer temperatures by spending more time outdoors during the summer. Activities such as traveling to the beach and picnics occur during summer months. Sports such as cricket, volleyball, skateboarding, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, water polo, and football are played. Water skiing is a uniquely summer sport, which is done when waters approach their warmest of the year.
Source: Wikipedia
WHAT TO DO DURING SUMMER HOLIDAY?
What to do during summer holiday?
After a whole school year of hard work, you may be wondering what you can do during the summer holiday. Here are some suggestions.
1. Rest
Don't feel guilty. Take some time to rest. You deserve it after a year of hard work.
Don't feel guilty. Take some time to rest. You deserve it after a year of hard work.
2.Movies
See the latest movies or just pick one of the old movies that you have missed. Make it a family movie night every week.
See the latest movies or just pick one of the old movies that you have missed. Make it a family movie night every week.
3.Beach or swimming pool
When you're feeling a bit bored, a dip in the water will revitalize your mood. Of course, make sure to protect your skin with a hat and sunscreen.
When you're feeling a bit bored, a dip in the water will revitalize your mood. Of course, make sure to protect your skin with a hat and sunscreen.
4. Learn a skill
You might be interested in learning new skills such as cooking, playing soccer, playing a musical instrument. The summer is a great time for that.
You might be interested in learning new skills such as cooking, playing soccer, playing a musical instrument. The summer is a great time for that.
5. Read
You've got plenty of time to read. Although technology has taken a major part of our lives, there is nothing more entertaining and informative than reading a book. Choose a topic you are interested in and read about it during the summer holiday.
You've got plenty of time to read. Although technology has taken a major part of our lives, there is nothing more entertaining and informative than reading a book. Choose a topic you are interested in and read about it during the summer holiday.
6. Writing
keep a journal of what you are doing during the holiday. Writing a diary helps you a have a clear view of the events of the day. You might even give free vent to your artistic side and have a try in writing poems, short essays...
keep a journal of what you are doing during the holiday. Writing a diary helps you a have a clear view of the events of the day. You might even give free vent to your artistic side and have a try in writing poems, short essays...
7. Travel
Visit places you have never been to. You don't need to make a long journey to find such places. They may be just near where you are.
Visit places you have never been to. You don't need to make a long journey to find such places. They may be just near where you are.
8. Sport
If you are not already practicing a sport, think of taking up jogging, walking, tennis, soccer, or whatever... Make a decision about it and start exercising in order to be healthier, reduce stress and get ready for a new year of hard work.
If you are not already practicing a sport, think of taking up jogging, walking, tennis, soccer, or whatever... Make a decision about it and start exercising in order to be healthier, reduce stress and get ready for a new year of hard work.
DISNEY CHARACTERS
Disney Characters
Yes, all started with a mouse. But since the creation of Mickey Mouse in 1928, hundreds of characters have been born from the imagination of Disney Studios. Some have known worldwide fame and success. Others appeared only a few times but have nevertheless contributed to the originality, humor and the freshness of Walt Disney productions.
The following is a list of the most popular Walt Disney Characters:
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse was created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks and voiced by Walt Disney. He first appeared inSteamboat Willie. He evolved from being simply a character in animated cartoons and comic strips to become one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. His popularity is mainly due to his angelic nature.
Donald Duck
Donald Duck first appeared in the Silly Symphonies cartoon The Wise Little Hen on June 9, 1934. He is a white anthropomorphic duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. Donald's most famous personality trait is his easily provoked and explosive temper.
Goofy
Goofy is an anthropomorphic dog and is one of Mickey Mouse's best friends. His original concept name was "Dippy Dawg" in cartoon shorts created during the 1930s. Along with being predictably clumsy, Goofy is often shown as having little to no intelligence. But this interpretation isn't always definitive; occasionally, Goofy is shown as intuitive and clever, albeit in his own unique, eccentric way.
Pluto
as most frequently appeared as Mickey Mouse's pet dog. He also had an independent starring role in 48 Disney shorts in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Pluto is unusual for a Disney character in that he is not anthropomorphized beyond showing an unusually broad range of facial expressions or use of his front paws at key points; he is actually represented as a normal dog (unlike Goofy who is an anthropomorphic dog)
Source: Wikipedia
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5th, 1985 and commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and serves as captain of the Portuguese national team. Ronaldo currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive player in football history after having transferred to Real Madrid from Manchester United in a deal worth £80 million (€94m, US$132m). His contract with Real Madrid is believed to have made him the highest-paid football player in the world.Ronaldo began his career as a youth player for Andorinha, where he played for two years, then moved to Nacional. In 1997, he made a move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP. Ronaldo's precocious talent caught the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and he signed the 18-year-old for £12.24 million in 2003. The following season, Ronaldo won his first club honour, the FA Cup, and reached the Euro 2004 final with Portugal, in which tournament he scored his first international goal.
In 2008, Ronaldo won the Champions League with United, and was named player of the tournament. He was named the FIFPro World Player of the Year and the FIFA World Player of the Year, in addition to becoming Manchester United's first Ballon d'Or winner in 40 years. Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Johan Cruyff said in an interview on 2 April 2008, "Ronaldo is better than George Best and Denis Law, who were two brilliant and great players in the history of United."
Source: Wikipedia
TIPS FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR START
Tips for a new school year start
The summer holiday is over. It is time to think of the new school year. And while some are eager to know their new teacher and meet their friends to tell them about all their summer adventures, others are more worried about the new year. Here are some tips for a smooth school year start that will help you beat the stress and organize your study environment.
Reconnecting with a healthy lifestyle
During holidays, children have often been allowed to sleep late and eat a little of what they wanted at any time. The first thing to do is to help yourself make a smooth start and not to wait until the last day to find a healthy lifestyle. You should get used to have regular and reasonable hours of sleep and to eat healthy food. This of course needs several days of "rehabilitation". The ideal thing is to start reconnecting with a healthy lifestyle one week to ten days before school starts.
Buy study resources
Buy all the resources available for your grade. This will help you tremendously do your homework rightly. The resources may include a good dictionary, an encyclopedia, educational softwares...
Create a pleasant study environment
A few days before school starts, do a tidy-up of the desk and the shelves. Sort and throw away the relics of the past year. Donate your old books, pens and school things if they are still usable. Clean up your desk. Make it a comfortable place to do your homework. Your workplace should be a quiet well-lit corner where it feels good.
Find your way to your new school
If you change your school, you need to learn how to find your way from your home to the new school. Start building new relationships in your new school environment. It will be easy for you to make new friends if you are willing to. Your new friends will certainly show you the places around the school. Your new teachers will also be happy to introduce you to your classmates.
Developing dialogue
If you feel anxious of the new school year, it is very important to talk to your parents about your fears. They will surely find a way to help you get over your fears and gain confidence. They will certainly show you that they believe in your abilities, and will be willing to help you with your first pieces of homework if need be. It is also essential that you develop self confidence and believe in your own potential.
Beat stress
If you are overly anxious about performance, work through your negative beliefs, especially the beliefs about the implications of school failure. Challenge your negative thoughts that your worth as a person or future prospects hinge entirely on your grades. Good performance will be achieved only when you beat your fears and discover your own personal worth.
Set goals
Enjoy setting goals for yourself, so you can transcend your weaknesses and reach your full potential. Your study goals must be realistic and achievable. For example, start with small steps to reach higher targets.
Motivation
Achieving some goals will certainly motivate you to reach more challenging targets. Another motivating factor would be to understand that you work primarily for yourself and your future career. Apart from the external rewards that your parents may promise you, you must understand that studying well is your chance for self development.
domingo, 10 de agosto de 2014
COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
http://eolf.univ-fcomte.fr/wp-content/uploads/grammar/comparative_superlative/07.htm
http://www.hshc.de/unterricht/comparison/comparison2.htm
http://s.mound.free.fr/skyblues67/comparing/trig&family1.htm
http://www.adelescorner.org/grammar/comparatives/superlatives.html
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1876
http://www.hshc.de/unterricht/comparison/comparison2.htm
http://s.mound.free.fr/skyblues67/comparing/trig&family1.htm
http://www.adelescorner.org/grammar/comparatives/superlatives.html
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1876
PRESENT PERFECT
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?03
http://first-english.org/english_learning/english_tenses/present_perfect/30_present_perfect_questions.htm
A) Rewrite the phrase into Present Perfect.
Example: he cries - he has cried
1) it rains -
2) she doesn't know -
3) he finds -
4) you bought -
5) they clean -
6) you finish -
7) I run -
8) she plays -
9) we don't forget -
10) we sing -
Example: he cries - he has cried
1) it rains -
2) she doesn't know -
3) he finds -
4) you bought -
5) they clean -
6) you finish -
7) I run -
8) she plays -
9) we don't forget -
10) we sing -
BRITISH CULTURE
British Culture
The first thing you need to know about life in Britain, is the weather…….
…..it’s terrible!
We have FOUR seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
In Spring- it rains
In summer- it rains
In Autumn- it rains
In winter- it rains!
BUT
There are nice things about the climate too...
In Spring- the woods look like this:
These flowers are called ‘bluebells’
In Summer, the countryside looks like this:
In Autumn, the trees look like this:
And in winter, sometimes there is snow like this!!
2. British Icons
Britain has many iconic symbols, and they are all red!
The original red busses of London were introduced in 1958. They quickly became a British icon.
A famous symbol in London- the Underground is a huge network of underground trains.
The elite guards at Buckingham Palace are another famous ‘must-see’ icon for tourists in Britain.
Strawberries and Cream: This traditional British dessert is linked to the famous tennis tournament- Wimbledon, but is also famous for being an aphrodisiac!
Finally, the Mini was an important icon of the 1960’s culture in Britain and is famous all over the world.
jueves, 7 de agosto de 2014
TOO MUCH/ TOO MANY
Too Meaning In Excess or Overly
There is sometimes confusion over the words too and to. The word too has two uses. The one covered on this page is the use of too meaning in excess, overly, or more than it should be.
Examples:
My Labrador eats too much and is too chubby.
(eats more than it should and is chubbier than it should be)
Karen cannot reach Southampton in an hour; it is too far.
(in excess of what she can achieve in a hour)
I tried to catch you, but I was too slow.
(overly slow or slower than I should have been)
A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
(cannot be overly careful)
You can fool too many of the people too much of the time. James Thurber (1894 - 1961)
(more people than you should be able to and more times than you should be able to)
There is sometimes confusion over the words too and to. The word too has two uses. The one covered on this page is the use of too meaning in excess, overly, or more than it should be.
Examples:
Too comes before adjectives and adverbs:
It's too hot to wear that coat.
It's too hot to wear that coat.
I was driving too fast.
4. Too may also come before nouns when it is used with the expressions too much and too many.
a. Too much is used before uncountable nouns.
There is too much salt in this food.b. Too many is used before countable nouns
There are too many students in this classroom.
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
BY: J.J. ENGLISH
Present Perfect Continuous
FORM
[has/have + been + present participle]
Examples:
- You have been waiting here for two hours.
- Have you been waiting here for two hours?
- You have not been waiting here for two hours.
USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
Examples:
- They have been talking for the last hour.
- She has been working at that company for three years.
- What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
- James has been teaching at the university since June.
- We have been waiting here for over two hours!
- Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?
USE 2 Recently, Lately
You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.
Examples:
- Recently, I have been feeling really tired.
- She has been watching too much television lately.
- Have you been exercising lately?
- Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
- Lisa has not been practicing her English.
- What have you been doing?
IMPORTANT
Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.
PRESENT PERFECT
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Form of Present Perfect
Positive | Negative | Question | |
---|---|---|---|
I / you / we / they | I have spoken. | I have not spoken. | Have I spoken? |
he / she / it | He has spoken. | He has not spoken. | Has he spoken? |
For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed | Example |
---|---|
after a final e only add d | love – loved |
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled | admit – admitted travel – travelled |
final y after a consonant becomes i | hurry – hurried |
Use of Present Perfect
- puts emphasis on the resultExample: She has written five letters.
- action that is still going onExample: School has not started yet.
- action that stopped recentlyExample: She has cooked dinner.
- finished action that has an influence on the presentExample: I have lost my key.
- action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speakingExample: I have never been to Australia.
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