Coronavirus reading
Wednesday, 8 December 2021
Sunday, 5 September 2021
Thursday, 20 May 2021
Wednesday, 5 May 2021
The Remarkable Rocket quizz.https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/5a9dee9a9d847a001af3c64d/the-remarkable-rocket
Sunday, 25 April 2021
1-
Bullied at school
Dear Anne
I'm 13 years old. My classmates
make me sick. They treat me badly and that scares me. I'm very angry. I don't
want to go to school any more. Every morning when I go to my classroom they
wait for me by the only entrance. They want me to give them all my money.
Sometimes after school they make me do horrible things. Once I had to lick the
toilet. What shall I do? I can't go to my teachers or my parents because they
don't believe me! And I can't change school because this is the only one near
the village where I live. Please help me!
2-
Daughter awaits operation
Dear Anne
My daughter is ill and awaiting
surgery for a tumour to be removed. Her husband has gone into a mental
depression. He's offering her no support and she does not have the
strength to worry about him whilst worrying about herself and her two boys. I
am there for her but do not know what else I can do. I am angry at her husband
for letting her down in this time of need but cannot do or say anything. I live
five hours away from my daughter and my heart breaks when I speak to her,
knowing she is also falling apart. What can we do? Thank you.
3-
Friend's emotional blackmail
Dear Anne
A friend I've known for many
years blackmails me into spending more time on her than I want to. I have
emigrated and lead a fulfilled but very busy life as a self-employed single mum
of three. My friend lives in my home country and gets upset if I don't reply to
all her very long emails or don't visit her on every single family visit. In return,
she keeps buying me and my children expensive presents which make us feel
guilty. She is a lonely, bitter person in a highly paid job. When she visits me
she expects me all to herself and goes on for hours about how badly the whole
world treats her. I'm the only one who is still prepared to listen to her
because she is very trying. I don't know how to extricate myself from this
'friendship' because I'm fed up with her negative self-pity and would rather
visit other old friends whom I have not seen for ages, but she makes me feel
guilty if I don't and she is the godmother of my daughter.
4-
How to come off drugs
Dear Anne
I'm sixteen and I'm having
tremendous trouble quitting drugs. About a month ago I collapsed from severe
dehydration and lack of sleep whilst coming down from a 20 pound wrap of
amphetamines and four E's. I was tripping out, seeing spiders and things
everywhere. I thought I'd died at one point. I don't ever want to have to go
through anything as horrible as that again. I've quit now but I get really
depressed over nothing at all and end up crying for hours. Then the next day I
think of buying a few pills and have to snap myself out of it. I need help. I
just want to know how to deal with the depression because it's really bad
5- I pretend I have friends
Dear Anne
I feel so miserable and I'm not
sure how to change it. I have a great boyfriend who has stood by me through
thick and thin and I have a wonderful supportive family but I don't have any
close friends. I used to be quite popular in University but one girl within my
group of friends didn't like me and over the last two years I have lost almost
all contact with my friends. I pretend to my boyfriend and my parents that I
have lots of friends and that I go out often but the truth is I stay at home
most evenings. I feel so lonely and it's difficult to find new friends. I have
been feeling like this for over a year now and I'm not quite sure what to do.
I want to leave uni
6- Dear Anne
I am currently in my second year
at University doing Business Studies. I've found that the academic aspect of
this year is a lot harder and that the general process is becoming far from
what I expected. I absolutely love the social aspect of university but have
decided to leave and get a job as I really want to start a career. However I
tried to talk to my mum about this. She said the obvious and told me to 'stick
it out'. My dad however is fairly agressive in his manner and I'm afraid at how
he will react to my telling him I wish to leave
7-
Jealousy and acne
Dear Anne
I broke up with my boyfriend
almost a year ago. It was a messy split. It ended with him cheating on me with
a prostitute whilst away on holiday. It makes me think I should resent him. He
is seeing someone else now and no matter how hard I try I am still jealous and
find it hard to be friends with him. I am stressing out over the fact that I
don't have a boyfriend and it is now resulting in skin problems like acne and
coldsores breaking out non-stop. How do I overcome my loneliness, jealousy and
stress in order to get my skin back on track?
8-
My boyfriend or my career?
Dear Anne
I did something terrible. Please
tell me what to do. I really need your help. I had a boyfriend of 3 years who
loved and cared for me. He was ready to give me everything in the world, except
allow me to go for a job. I have already got two job offers as software
engineer in two leading international firms, and I badly want to keep my
career. We argued about this for weeks and months (I doing the arguing and he, poor
dear, listening and begging) and finally last night I broke up with him to
pursue my career. I am all that he had in his life. He is shattered and
suicidal. But I can't give up my career. I'm so cruel. I didn't know I could be
like this and hurt someone so much. Please tell me what to do. This is my last
hope. Should I go back to him, acknowledging that family life is more important
than career? Please help me. Please.
Dear Anne
I'm a twin. Most people think
it's great but it's not. She bullies me. She hasn't liked me since we were
about 11, five years ago, and now it's really getting to me. I feel so alone.
She tells me off for doing little things like dancing or biting my fingernails.
I have to go and wash my hands if I put them anywhere near my mouth. She tells
me she hates me and wishes I was dead. Everyone at college can't stop telling
me how great it would be to have a twin. I have to put up with all those stupid
twin jokes, followed with the "Why don't you get on with your sis?"
or "Why do you hate your sis?" I don't hate her, she hates me. People
think they know me just because they know her but we aren't alike. I'm judged
before anyone thinks of getting to know me. It's really battering my
confidence. I told my parents and they see it as well but they just say it's
the way it is, and tell me to stop being so silly if I get upset about it.
There's no-one to talk to. Even my close mates just tell me how I should try to
get on with her and how stupid I am. But I do try. I tiptoe around her so I
don't annoy her. I just don't know what to do any more.
10-Nicotine withdrawal
Dear Anne
Im 13 years old and I'm quitting
smoking. I felt ill for a few days so I looked up my symptoms and I have
nicotine withdrawal. The only thing that is worrying me is that I have the
dentist soon and the symptoms don't go for a few weeks. I'm worried that my
dentist will say something about it to my mum as I will have stains on my
teeth, and by then I might have ulcers and other symptoms. I don't know what to
do. Is the dentist allowed to tell my mum? Please help me!
11-Partner slept with my twin
Dear Anne
I was with my ex-boyfriend for
five years. Two years ago (but it still feels like yesterday), I caught him in
bed in our flat with my twin sister. Apparently it had been going on for a few
years. My ex and my twin seem to have a brother-sister relationship, but my
sister got my family to hate him and he wasn't allowed round the family house.
I moved out to live with him but Iwas lonely as I didn't know many people there
so my sister stayed at our flat a lot, even when I was out at work. Since I
found out, my life has gone upside down. I don't see my ex but I'd hate to move
home where my sister lives. My dad doesn't know what's happened as my mum
doesn't think it would be a good idea to tell him. I am talking to my sister as
I really don't know what life would be like without her, but I'm starting to
push everyone away, friends and family. Now I want to travel and leave
everyone. They're all getting on with their lives but it's hard for me to
forget. I really think I need someone to talk to.
12-Should I change my personality?
Dear Anne
Should I change my personality?
At school I am always kind of hyper without meaning to be, always laughing,
cracking jokes and making people laugh. It's what I do best, but along with
that I am really soft. If someone is mean or hurts me I ignore it but it is
getting hard to cope with lately! One of my close mates has been hitting me and
being abusive verbally too and I have been allowing her too as I don't like
arguing and fighting back. I am scared, not that I'll get beaten up, but
because I don't want to change myself, to be mean! I don't want to change my
personality, not to mention the popularity I have because I am like a joker all
the time, but I don't want to be pushed around and taken for granted! What
shall I do? I still want to remain friends but I'm not sure ...
13-Should I throw my son out?
Dear Anne
For the past six years my son has
brought nothing but problems and heartache. He constantly lies, takes cannabis,
and has been in trouble with courts through being out of his mind with drink or
drugs, e.g. stealing. From the age of 14 so many valuables "went"
from the house, it broke my heart, but that eventually stopped a couple of
years ago. I've put him out of the house quite a few times but taken him back
again, to my cost. His behaviour has started to deteriorate again and this past
week has finished me. He blatantly denied taking a bottle of champagne I'd been
given as a Christmas present until I found the cork, then merely smirked and
offered to replace it; I discovered he'd borrowed £50 from a relative to fund
his New Year night out, which I feel I have to repay as they won't get it back
from him; his bedroom was always like a squat which I refused to tidy, but 2
nights ago I discovered a mouse running around when I gave in and attempted to
clear a path through his clothes and dirty dishes, and today I've discovered he
hasn't turned up for work for the past 2 days. He was on his final warning and
so has now lost his job. I have tried absolutely everything possible and I
truly mean everything including attempting to talk with him, "hard
love", kicking him out, reasoning, exasperation, etc. Nothing has changed
and I am worn out. I've gone through so many emotions over these years of
failure, confusion, fear, and loss, and although I've reasoned with myself and
friends have helped me understand I'm not to blame for his behaviour, the
feelings of somehow causing this mess won't go away. At the time of writing,
I've no idea where he is and financially he is a walking disaster and can't
cope on his own. He is/was intelligent but got into very bad company when he
was 13 and he seems to be hanging around with many of these people again.
Therefore I can't get rid of the fear that a policeman is going to come to my
door soon to tell me he's dead. Irrational I know, but it won't go away. He's
been offered help so many times in the past. I'm frequently told that I should
have disowned him years ago but it really isn't that simple when it's your own
child. The stress is awful and as I have a high-powered job with its own
stresses I feel as if my life holds absolutely nothing for me. I am not
suicidal by any means, but this constant struggle just to keep my life together
is soul-destroying. My apologies for using this email as a means of releasing
some of this stress but it's late at night and I just felt so alone and
helpless.
14-Life's nothing without her
Dear Anne
My partner and I went on holiday
recently and while we were out there I lost a lot of money (£175). I thought I
had completely spoiled the holiday and for about an hour I completely broke
down. I was crying and everything as it was meant to be such a special holiday
and I had ruined it. From that point on everything went downhill. She wasn't in
a cuddly mood, she said she just needed time to herself when we got back, so I
gave her a few days. When I went to see her she still didn't seem herself so I
didn't stay, knowing I'd see her a few days later. The next time I saw her it
all came to a boil. She said she didn't feel the same any more, which was
completely out of the blue to me as she has always said how much she loves me
and she wanted to move in with me. She says she basically put up all her
barriers from the incident on holiday and has thought about all the wrong
things in the relationship, whereas in the time I wasn't with her I realised
these faults myself and knew I needed to put them right. We're still in regular
contact. I met her last week for a quick drink and it was just so hard to take.
I managed to control my feelings, just chatted and didn't put her under any
pressure. When I left she kissed me on the cheek and said she wanted to see me
at the weekend (which turned into nothing as she was busy and tired). This was
the first girl I have ever truly loved and I feel so lost and unmotivated. I
have even contemplated doing things I know I shouldn't as it will hurt other
people. I can't eat or sleep properly at the moment and being at work has made
things even worse. I don't know what to do with myself. I am trying to keep
occupied but it's hard. When I am at home and not with my friends all I can do
is sit around and think. No matter what I do I am reminded of her and how much
I want to be with her ... Many thanks.
How to write an informal e-mail.
https://www.slideshare.net/EstelaAlbaladejoMart/informal-email-4-eso-80654181
Sunday, 18 April 2021
Monday, 12 April 2021
Monday, 29 March 2021
Friday, 26 March 2021
Friday, 19 March 2021
Wednesday, 10 March 2021
1. Complete the
sentences with CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO. (Attention to tenses)
1. I'm sorry, but we ____________ go to your party next
Saturday.
2. She got the job because she ____________ speak five
languages.
3. You are speaking very quietly. I ____________ hear you.
4. I was tired but I ____________ leave until the meeting
finished.
5. He ____________ go to the concert next Saturday. He is
working.
6. She ____________ understand me in spite of the noise
around.
7. I'll ____________ see you tomorrow.
8. When they came back from Paris, they ____________ speak
perfect French.
9. After a few hours, I ____________ open the door and go
out.
10. I've never ____________ understand maths.
2. Write in English.
1. ¿Puedo hablar con usted un momento?
2. Ayer no pude poner en marcha el coche.
3. Cuando tenía seis años, sabía patinar muy bien.
4. Consiguió escapar del incendio en el último minuto.
5. Saber hablar inglés es fundamental en estos tiempos.
3. Rewrite these
sentences using the modals or semi-modals in brackets.
1. It is against the law to drive without a licence.
(mustn’t)
2. Perhaps Sarah lends Simon some money. (may)
3. It is sometimes very hot here in the summer. (can)
4. Would you like me to bring you some magazines? (shall)
5. It isn't necessary to be over 18 to get married.
(needn’t)
4. Rewrite these
sentences so that they have the same meaning.
1. You may not smoke in this classroom. You …………….
2. Perhaps he comes to the party. He .................
3. You can come but it isn't necessary. You ..........
4. He wasn't able to lift the piano. He
......................
5. She isn't allowed to enter the room. She
.................
ANSWER KEYS TO
PRACTICE
1. Complete the sentences with CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO.
1. won’t be able to
2. could / can
3. can’t
4. couldn’t
5. won’t be able to
6. could
7. be able to
8. could / were able to
9. was able to
10. been able to
2. Write in English.
1. Could I talk to you for a minute?
2. Yesterday I couldn’t start the car.
3. When I was six, I could skate very well.
4. He was able to escape from the fire in the last minute.
5. Being able to speak English is essential nowadays.
3. Rewrite these
sentences using the modals or semi-modals in brackets.
1. You mustn’t drive without a license.
2. Sarah may lend Simon some money.
3. It can be very hot here in the summer.
4. Shall we bring you some magazines?
5. You needn’t be over 18 to get married.
4. Rewrite these
sentences so that they have the same meaning.
1. You are not allowed to / cannot smoke in this classroom.
2. He may come to the party.
3. You needn’t come.
4. He couldn’t lift the piano.
5. She cannot / may not enter the room.
REPHRASING (“para
entregar”)
1. Rewrite these sentences using the modals or semi-modals
in brackets.
1. It is important for me to pass the exam. (must)
2. It will not be necessary for you to come tomorrow. (have
to)
3. Perhaps it will rain tonight. (may)
4. It is against the law to drive without a seat belt.
(mustn’t)
5. There's a small possibility that he comes on a motorbike.
(might)
2. Rewrite these sentences
so that they have the same meaning.
1. Do you know how to drive a lorry? ......................
2. I don't believe you are a policeman. You
..................
3. He ought to study more. He ..........
4. I'm almost sure he is French. He ....................
5. I suggest you get a second opinion. You
...........................
3. Write in English.
1. Antonio no tiene que levantarse a las seis de la mañana.
2. Tengo que ir al médico esta tarde.
3. ¿Tendrás que trabajar el sábado por la tarde?
4. Patricia no tuvo que esperar mucho el autobús.
5. El dinero tiene que estar aquí.
EXTRA PRACTICE
(online)
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/have-to-dont-have-to-must-mustnt/
(HAVE TO, DON’T HAVE TO, MUST, MUSTN’T)
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/should-shouldnt/
(SHOULD)
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/a2/might-might-not/
(MIGHT, MIGHT NO)
https://agendaweb.org/verbs/modals-exercises.html
https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-exercises.html
Tuesday, 9 March 2021
Sunday, 28 February 2021
AN OPINION
ESSAY
A.- PLAN
|
PARAGRAPH 1 · Introduce the topic and give your opinion. Say whether you agree or disagree with the statement. |
|
PARAGRAPH 2 · Give a reason to support
your opinion. |
|
PARAGRAPH 3 · Give a second reason to
support your opinion. |
|
PARAGRAPH 4 · Summarize your ideas and
repeat your opinion using different words. |
|
BASIC DOS IN WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY |
|
Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence, outlining the main ideas. |
|
Do not write about advantages or disadvantages or points for or against. |
|
Write in formal style. |
|
BASIC DON’TS IN WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY |
|
Don’t use colloquial expressions. |
|
Don’t use short forms. |
|
Don’t use emotive vocabulary. |
|
Don’t give personal examples. |
B.- VOCABULARY
|
EXPRESSING OPINIONS |
|
|
In my opinion,
…. |
En mi opinión… |
|
Personally, I think/ I believe (that)… |
Personalmente, creo que… |
|
I strongly believe that…. |
Creo firmemente que… |
|
It is clear (to me) that… |
Me parece evidente que… |
|
I feel very strongly that… |
Siento firmemente que… |
|
I (completely) agree/disagree with … |
Estoy (totalmente) de
acuerdo/ en desacuerdo con…. |
|
It seems to me that… |
Me parece que.. |
|
As I see it, … |
Como yo lo veo… |
|
To my mind…. |
En mi opinión,… |
|
In my view,… |
Desde mi punto de
vista,… |
|
From my point of view, …. |
Desde mi punto de
vista,… |
|
As far I am concerned, … |
En cuanto a lo que a mí
respecta,… |
|
I am sure/ convinced that … |
Estoy seguro /
convencido de que… |
|
I (dis)agree with the statement, because … |
Estoy de acuerdo/ en
desacuerdo con la afirmación porque… |
|
GIVING REASONS |
|
|
My main reason is…. |
Mi razón principal es.. |
|
Another reason is… |
Otra razón es… |
|
One reason for… is …. |
Una razón para…. es…. |
|
Many people say/ believe that… |
Mucha gente dice/
piensa que.. |
|
Because… |
Porque… |
|
Since… |
Puesto que/ ya que… |
|
Because of/ due to… |
Debido a… |
|
EXPRESSING FACTS |
|
|
It is widely known that… |
Es ampliamente conocido que.. |
|
It is a well-known fact that … |
Es un hecho bien
conocido que… |
|
Research has shown that… |
La investigación ha
demostrado que… |
|
There are definitely… |
Definitivamente hay… |
|
It is a fact that… |
Es un hecho que… |
|
It is clear/ true that… |
Está claro que/ es
verdad que… |
|
For example/ for instance,... |
Por ejemplo,… |
|
|
|
|
ADDING IDEAS |
|
|
What is more,… |
Y lo que es más,.. |
|
Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition (to) |
Además,… |
|
Apart from (that)… |
Aparte de… |
|
Firstly,… |
En primer lugar,… |
|
First of all,… |
En primer lugar,… |
|
Secondly,.. |
En segundo lugar,.. |
|
Thirdly,… |
En tercer lugar,.. |
|
Lastly,… |
Por último,.. |
|
Finally,… |
Finalmente,… |
|
EXPRESSING CONTRAST (LINKERS OF CONTRAST) |
|
|
ALTHOUGH (aunque) |
Although I was feeling depressed, I went to the party. |
|
DESPITE (a pesar de) |
Despite the rain, I went to the party. Despite feeling depressed, I went to the party. |
|
IN SPITE OF ( a pesar de) |
In spite of the rain, I went to the party. In spite of feeling depressed, I went to the party. |
|
EVEN IF (incluso si) |
I will go to the party, even if I feel depressed. |
|
WHEREAS (mientras que) |
Adults can make their own decisions, whereas teenagers have to do what
other people tell them. |
|
HOWEVER (sin embargo) |
Mike is a very good singer. However, he can’t play any instruments. |
|
IN CONTRAST |
|
|
BUT (pero) |
Their music is very good. But, their lyrics are not very interesting. |
|
ON THE ONE HAND….. ON THE OTHER HAND (por una parte…. por la otra) |
On the one hand, they are extremely rich. But on the other hand, they
have lots of debts. |
|
EXPRESSING PURPOSE (LINKERS OF PURPOSE) |
|
|
We use linkers of purpose to introduce reasons: |
|
|
SO (THAT) (para) |
I have brought a microphone so that the audience will be able to hear us. |
|
IN ORDER TO ( para) |
We need to register with the council in order to vote. |
|
TO (para) |
I am phoning to ask information about the event. |
|
SO AS TO(para) |
We all need to vote so as to express our opinions. |
|
CONCLUDING THE ESSAY |
|
|
TO SUM UP,… |
Para resumir… |
|
TO CONCLUDE,… |
Para concluir… |
|
IN CONCLUSION,… |
En conclusion… |
|
IT IS CLEAR THAT… |
Está claro que |
|
IN SHORT |
En resumen… |
|
ON THE WHOLE |
En general… |
|
ALL IN ALL,… |
En
conjunto, en terminus generals,… |
C.- EXAMPLES
“The teenage
years are the best years of your life”. Do you agree?
People often say that the teenage years are the best years of your
life. However, I do not agree with the statement.
Firstly, most teenagers have little independence. They have to do what they are
told by their parents and teachers. In addition, they usually do
not have much money.
Secondly, teenagers may not have the responsibilities adults have, but they
have other worries. Teenagers have a lot of pressure form exams, which can
determine the rest of their life.
All in all, teenagers have a lot of fun, but I believe that the best
years of your life come when you are a bit older, with a job, money and the
freedom to do what your like.
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