Tag Archives: learn English

PET, Reading practice

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Let’s practice our reading skills required for the PET Exam. In this task you will need to skim the text for general information and then scan it carefully in order to find the matching elements and answer correctly.

We have provided both the answers and words and phrases that prove that the answers are correct (see all the words in bold).

The people all want to attend a course. Read the descriptions of eight courses. Decide which course would be the most suitable for each person. For Questions 1-5, select the best course.

A – Form and Colour
This is year-long course is perfect for people who want to learn about how to use a camera and who want to take it up as a profession.  Students will learn how to use light and shade, colour and different shapes.  The course will also teach students to change their work using computer technology.  Tips will be given on how best to get started in the profession.

B – Practice makes Perfect 
Learn about how to use computer software to make your work life easier.  This course is designed for people who use computers regularly as part of their career, but who feel they are unable to make the most of the technology.  Learn about new software for storing documents and photographs and keeping records.  This evening class runs for ten weeks from September to December.

C – Armchair Explorer
This is a series of daytime lectures by people who have lived and worked in wild places.  Each of the six talks will focus on a different continent.  Lecturers will show photographs of the animals and plants, and explain why they are only found in one area.  Lecturers will include Leo Holland, a scientist from the Antarctic project, and Milly Oliphant, who researches birds in the Amazon rainforest.  Tea and Biscuits provided.

D – Art Starter
Are you interested in a career in art?  If so, this full-time, eight-week course will be perfect for you.  Learn about different methods used by artists, including painting, drawing, photography and computer design.  Artists will create work for an exhibition which will be displayed in the Town Hall for one month in September.  Top businessmen and women from the design industry will be invited to attend the exhibition, so this could be a great start to your career!

E – Wild Design
Whether you want a career in art, or you just want to enjoy your hobby, this holiday course is for you. Wild Design is a two-week summer course situated on the wild coast of South Wales.  We teach all kinds of art, including photography and painting, and the wild sea, beautiful flowers and great wildlife will definitely give you lots of creative ideas.  Even if you already have a good understanding of art, you are sure to learn something new from our team of professional tutors.

F – Explore your Imagination
Do you want to show your friends a photograph of you beside the Egyptian pyramids or in the jungles of Borneo?  Well now you can tell your friends that you have travelled the world without actually leaving the country!  Join this evening class and learn how to use the latest technology and software to change photographs to a professional standard.  You will also learn how to make your own computer designs using the computer programmes used by professionals.

G – Technology for You
Do you feel as if everyone is using a computer except you? Join in this five-day course and learn the basics.  You’ll learn how to store your personal files, send emails and use simple programmes to write and print letters.  In the afternoons you will have the choice of either learning how to make Birthday Cards and other designs on a computer, or you can join our ‘Basic computers for Work’ class.

H – Wildlife Photographer
Travel to a different wild place every week and learn how to take photographs of animals, plants and scenery.  Our expert teachers will advise you how to take the best pictures.  This course will run for six weeks on Saturdays.  Students should already have a good understanding of photography and their own equipment.  The class is suitable for everyone, as there is very little walking involved.

 

Question 1

Harriet is 71, and is interested in painting and drawing. She would like to go somewhere in the summer where she can learn new tips and paint attractive scenery.

A – Form and Colour

B – Practice makes perfect

C – Armchair Explorer

D – Art Starter

 E – Wild Design

F – Explore your Imagination

G – Technology for You

H – Wildlife Photographer

 

Question 2

Belinda works for a large Art Company and she feels she needs to improve her computer skills. She already has a basic understanding of some common computer programmes, but she wants to learn how to organise her work and store information.

A – Form and Colour

B – Practice makes perfect

C – Armchair Explorer

D – Art Starter

E – Wild Design

F – Explore your Imagination

G – Technology for You

H – Wildlife Photographer

 

Question 3

Jenny is interested in a career in design, and wants to learn how to create art and change photographs using special computer programmes. She wants a course that will fit into her normal school day.

A – Form and Colour

B – Practice makes perfect

C – Armchair Explorer

D – Art Starter

E – Wild Design

 F – Explore your Imagination

G – Technology for You

H – Wildlife Photographer

 

Question 4

George is unable to travel because he has difficulty walking, but he wants to learn more about the wildlife and scenery in different parts of the world.

A – Form and Colour

B – Practice makes perfect

 C – Armchair Explorer

D – Art Starter

E – Wild Design

F – Explore your Imagination

G – Technology for You

H – Wildlife Photographer

 

Question 5

Chris wants a change in career, so he’s looking for a full-time course in which he can learn everything there is to know about photography and how to use computers to change and sell his work.

 A – Form and Colour

B – Practice makes perfect

C – Armchair Explorer

D – Art Starter

E – Wild Design

F – Explore your Imagination

G – Technology for You

H – Wildlife Photographer

 

And now it is your turn to complete task 2 and check your answers:

PET Reading part 2

Let us know your test results.

If you do the crime, you will do the time.

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Today crime and detective stories are very popular. So, we decided that it would be interesting for you to complete some tasks related to this topic.

1. To what extent do you agree or disagree that many modern prisons are too comfortable for the inmates?

2. Watch the video and answer the following questions:

If you do the crime, you will do the time.

 

  • Why is Joe Arpaio famous?
  • What is his approach to administering justice?
  • What is his approach to administering justice?
  • What is Tent City, Arizona?
  • What are chain gangs?
  • What has Joe Arpaio done to prevent recidivism?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Sheriff Arpaio’s methods?

4. Do you agree or disagree with his methods?

 

Let’s prepare for IELTS (Writing test advice)

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IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is probably the world’s most popular English language test.

You might need to take this exam for various reasons, among which are life abroad, education and work around the world. A lot of companies worldwide accept IELTS, including government, academic and employment institutions. IELTS is the only English language test accepted for immigration purposes by all countries that require one.

In less than three hours, it will help you to assess all of your English skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Today we would like to share with you some writing tips that might be useful, if you decide to prepare for this exam.

  • During the exam you can write your answers in pen or pencil.
  • Carefully analyse each task and spend some time making notes
  • Plan your answers.
  • Write using paragraphs; put one idea in each paragraph.
  • Try not to repeat ideas using different words.
  • Avoid copying whole sentences from the question – you will receive no marks for this.
  • Always remember to stick to the topic; do not write about unrelated subjects.
  • It is important to manage your time; remember, Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1.
  • Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and about 40 minutes on Task 2.
  • Word count matters; pay attention to the number of words required for each task; you  need to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
  • Your answers should be written in full; answers written in note form or in bullet points will lose marks.
  • It is recommended to avoid informal language.
  • Make sure you have time to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation; you will lose marks for mistakes. Spend just several minutes re-reading and correcting your answers.

Follow this link to listen to more tips from IELTS test takers: http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-your-test/tips-candidates

Have you ever taken IELTS test? What advice can you give to those who plan to take this test soon?

 

Tips for Autumn Fashion

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It is August and according to our calendar, it is still summer 🙂

However, the weather is no longer pampering us with nice and sunny days, and amazingly gorgeous and warm evenings. It is getting colder every day and we can feel the breath of Autumn every time we cross the threshold and step outside.

So, it high time to introduce our next lesson, during which you are going to learn more about autumn fashion trends.

1. Match the words and the expressions on the left with their definition. Form a sentence with each word and expression.

a) in full swing

b) earth tones

c) slather

d) mulch

e) gravel

f) fashionista

 i. to spread a large amount of something over something else

ii. an individual obsessed with following trends in fashion

iii. moving rapidly

iv. a mixture of little stones and sand used on driveways

v. brownish colours

vi. straw used sometimes to keep moisture in the soil

2. Using concessive structures (“while, whereas, whilst; however, nevertheless, nonetheless”) form 6 sentences contrasting summer and autumn fashion in terms of colours, clothes, accessories (bags, scarves, hats) and essential items.

3. Watch the video and fill in the table below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX5-E8djI3s

 

Tip #1 Earth tones are a classic fall look. Before leaving the 1.________, remember to slather yourself 2_________ of mulch and 3________.

 
Tip #2 5______ your summer clothes. It’s time to put away those flip flops and 6______.

7________of your summer clothes.
Tip #3 Create your own 8______ backpack. All 9_______ fall fashionistas can create a backpack by 10_______a pumpkin.
Tip #4 Find your perfect colours. Send in pictures.
Tip #5 11_______are a great accessory. Be careful not to get your 12_________ accessory caught as you could 13_________ hang yourself.
Tip #6 Avoid shopping 14________. 15_____ Just  stay at home. Let yourself become totally 16___________.

4. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Fashion is made to become unfashionable” ? 

We would be happy to know your favourite autumn fashion trends! 🙂

Grammar’s great divide

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1)      Try to decipher this hidden message:

 !  ,(  ()  :-;  (-

/<  :-; () \/\/

# () \/\/

(- ()

? “_” :-; (  (- “_” @ (- [- 

2)      Match the words and expressions with their definitions:

  1. multitalented
  2. conjunction
  3. to denote
  4. to do the job
  5. truce
  6. hair splitting
  7. squiggle
 a. be a sign of; indicate

b. (informal) achieve the required result

c. an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time

d. having many skills and talents

e. a short line that curls and loops in an irregular way

f. characterised by or fond of small and overfine distinctions

g. a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause (e.g. and, but, if)

3)      Full in the empty space with a word or expression from exercise 1:

a)      I have no clue what your doctor is trying to say in this note. It all looks like one giant ____________.

b)      David is certainly __________. He has appeared in several theatrical productions, is an accomplished sabreur, and can bake stunning cupcakes.

c)       No Greek state was allowed to fight during the ___________ proclaimed for the celebration of the Olympic and other Panhellenic Games.

d)      The council has carried out risk assessments on all restricted areas and has reopened nearly three-quarters of the pathways – a pink sign has been used ________a right of way.

e)      Parliamentary question time is full of wonderful examples of extended verbs, _______and prepositional phrases employed to evade answering a question.

f)       At times, the only way to win a legal battle is to indulge in a bit of ____________.

g)      If you suddenly find yourself without a door, a piece of board should _______until you manage to get a new door.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptM7FzyjtRk

 

How to Improve your English

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It doesn’t matter whether you are a foreign student or a native speaker, your English skills can always be improved. We would like to share several tips with you:

 

  • Watch films and TV programs and listen to any online radio. This will help you to improve listening skills and expand your vocabulary at the same time. If you decide to watch documentaries, films or TV programs, you can start doing it with subtitles turned on, then turn the subtitles off when the listening part of this activity becomes easier.

 

  • Read a lot: books, newspapers or journals, magazines, blogs, articles and other materials in English. Try to choose material that is slightly above your current level, use a monolingual dictionary if necessary (for example such dictionary as Cambridge online dictionary http://dictionary.cambridge.org/). This is also a great tip for improving your English in a technical or professional field. You need to spend only 15 minutes a day to improve achieve good results.

 

 

  • Record your monologues or answers to various tasks and keeping a diary. This allows you to use all your reading, listening and grammar skills that you’ve been practicing.

 

  • When you feel you are ready, surround yourself by English speakers and try to avoid using your native language as much as possible. There are many native speakers you can chat with via Skype or other programs.

 

  • If you do all the activities mentioned above, your progress will be great. And, of course, after such hard work don’t forget to reward yourself.

 

Enjoy learning English!