lunes, 3 de febrero de 2020

Frequent Phrasal Verbs


Here you have a list of 53 phrasal verbs. You will find the definitions or synonyms. They are not translated. Try to use them in a sentence.
NOTE: "Sth" means "something" and "Sb" means "somebody".


Call off: to cancel
Bring up: to take care of a child who is growing up
Come across: meet or find sth/sb by chance
Come up with: to get sth that is needed or wanted / to produce an idea
Put off: to postpone / to cause dislike
Look after: to take care of sth/sb
Look forward to: to expect with pleasure
Look up to: to admire
Take care of: to supervise sth/sb
Blow up: to fill sth with air / to explode / to become angry
Back up: to make a security copy / to support sb
Be away: stay on holiday
Be down: be sad / upset
Be fed up: to be bored or upset of sth
Wake up: to stop being sleeping
Get up: to get out of bed
Call up: to make a phone call
Book in: to make a reservation
Calm down: to stop being angry or emotionally excited
Carry on: to continue
Die for: to want something a lot
Give up: to stop an activity
Hold on: to keep a position or condition / to keep your hands around sth
Log in: to enter a restricted area in a computer system
Log out: to exit a computer system
Look up: to search for sth in a dictionary or reference site
Mix up: to confuse
Move into: start living in a place
Pass away: to die
Pass by: to go past without stopping somewhere
Pay back: repay money
Plug in: connect machines to electricity supplies
Point out: make sb aware of sth
Turn up: to be found unexpectedly / to increase volume
Watch out: to be aware of sth dangerous
Turn on: to start a machine
Turn off: to finish the activity of a machine
Go on: To continue
Check out: to look at or find new information
Move on: to start talking or doing something else (new)
Run out off: to not have sth
Keep up: to maintain same speed as other
Get off: leave a train, bus or plane
Carry out: to do and finish a task
Turn (a)round: to move to the other direction
Get back: to return somewhere
Figure out: to think about something until you understand
Stand up – Sit down
Show off: to behave arrogant
Find out: to get information
Set up: to arrange or create
Take on: to be responsible for
Come in(to): to enter

sábado, 21 de septiembre de 2019

COLLOCATIONS

Here you have some collocations. It is important to remember them. There are some expressions that need compulsory only one verb.
Have a look to the verbs KEEP, HAVE, COME, TAKE and MAKE.

KEEP

Keep a promise
Keep in touch
Keep someone
Keep quiet
Keep calm
Keep score
Keep a diary
Keep a secret
Keep a journal
Keep records
Keep away
Keep safe
Keep tabs on
Keep in mind
Keep your job


TAKE

Take a shower
Take a chance
Take a seat
Take part
Take time
Take a bite
Take notes
Take it apart
Take a vacations
Take a picture
Take an exam
Take a taxi
Take care
Take a risk
Take a survey
Take medicine


COME

Come to power
Come prepared
Come on time
Come to life
Come last
Come direct
Come cheap
Come up with
Come first
Come to a stop
Come close
Come late
Come into something
Come to an end


MAKE

Make a decision
Make lunch
Make an effort
Make room
Make clear
Make a noise
Make a choice
Make trouble
Make a mistake
Make an offer
Make a wish
Make love
Make payment


HAVE

Have a shower
Have a party
Have rest
Have a baby
Have a break
Have a dream
Have a fight
Have lunch
Have a meeting
Have fun
Have a talk


miércoles, 21 de agosto de 2019

Synonyms : VOCABULARY MIX

This is a list I will be updating. Don't worry I will post it the first one if there is any change in the number of words in the list. Pay attention!

ABILITY - SKILL
ABLE - CAPABLE
ACCURATE - CORRECT
AID - HELP, ASSIST
ALWAYS - CONSTANTLY
ARRIVE - REACH, COME
BAN - FORBID
BRIEF - SHORT
BEGINNING - START
BROAD - WIDE
BUY - PURCHASE
CALM - QUIET
CARE - CONCERN
CAREFUL - CAUTIOUS
COMPLEX - COMPLICATED
CONCRETE - REAL
CONSCIOUS - AWARE
COZY - COMFORTABLE
CRAZY - INSANE
CRUEL - MEAN
DAMAGE - HURT
DETERMINED - CONVINCED
DIE - EXPIRE
DISAGREE - DIFFER
DISPUTE - DEBATE
DIVIDE - SPLIT
DOUBT - MISTRUST
DRASTIC - EXTREME
DREADFUL - TERRIBLE
DRY - ARID
DUBIOUS - DOUBTFUL
DUMB - STUPID

miércoles, 14 de agosto de 2019

LISTENING EOI EXAM A2 2013

Exercises from the exam dated June 2013 of the Official School of Languages, Avilés (Asturias), basic level (A2).
Both listenings are with multiple choice answers. Only one option is correct.

Click to listen the two recordings. In this level you can hear the recordings 3 times. Good luck!



EXERCISE 1: BIG BEN

1 Richard and Jackie decided to talk about Big Ben because it is …
 
   A as old as their programme
   B the oldest attraction in London
   C the most interesting clock in Britain

2 Big Ben started working for the first time in…

   A 1589
   B 1859
   C 1985

3 Big Ben is the … bell.

   A smallest
   B biggest
   C heaviest

4 There are … bells in the Tower.

   A 2
   B 4
   C 5

5 The Big Ben bells … to ring.

   A don’t move
   B hit each other
   C move from side to side

6 The bells are … on time.
 
   A never
   B always
   C sometimes

7 Jackie thinks the clock is …

   A electronic
   B better than a modern watch
   C more modern than other clocks

8 Somebody looks after the clock three times a …

   A day
   B week
   C year

9 The numbers on the clocks are …
 
   A British
   B Arabic
   C Roman

10 To go up to the top you have to …

   A pay £3,34
   B have a lot of time
   C walk up 334 steps


EXERCISE 2: THE CHRISTMAS MARKET

1 There are Christmas markets in Germany and several … 
   A English towns
   B Austrian cities
   C European countries

2 Visitors go to these markets to buy presents and to …
   A have fun
   B explore the city
   C see famous people

3 The market in Birmingham is the … outside Germany and Austria.
   A busiest
   B biggest
   C most interesting

4 Some of the people who sell in the market are from …
   A Vienna
   B Frankfurt
   C other cities in the UK

5 In the market, you can buy …
   A beer from Austria
   B decorations and food
   C toys from Birmingham

6 The Christmas market is full of visitors … and at weekends.
   A at lunchtime
   B in the mornings
   C in the evenings

7 A few years ago, … tried to substitute the market but there were protests so nothing changed.
   A people
   B the police
   C politicians

8 There are … other markets in Birmingham.
   A a few
   B many
   C hardly any

9 There is a market where you can buy …
   A clothes
   B animals
   C Christmas CDs

10 The speaker thinks the Christmas market is … the other markets.
   A bigger than
   B the same as
   C more interesting than


Click here to listen

SOLUTIONS LISTENING EOI EXAM A2

EXERCISE 1

1      C
2      B
3      B
4      A
5      B
6      A
7      C
8      B
9      A
10    A

EXERCISE 2

1     Tuesday
2     9.30pm
3     entrance
4     café
5     lions
6     3.00pm
7     games
8     snacks
9     adults´
10    18.75

miércoles, 7 de agosto de 2019

LISTENING EOI EXAM A2 2016

Exercises from the exam dated June 2016 of the Official School of Languages, Avilés (Asturias), basic level (A2).
One listening with multiple choice answers. Only one option is correct.
In the second listening you have to fill in the gaps with the appropiate word(s) or number(s).

Click to listen the two recordings. In this level you can hear the recordings 3 times. Good luck!

EXERCISE ONE: WORK

1 What does speaker A sell?
A Clothes for men
B Clothes for women
C Clothes for children

2 Does speaker A enjoy his job?
A Sometimes
B Yes, he does
C No, he doesn’t

3 When does speaker B work?
A Weekdays
B Summer holidays
C Weekends and holidays

4 What does speaker B say tourists love doing?
A Taking a boat trip
B Visiting universities
C Swimming in the river

5 Does speaker C like his job?
A Sometimes
B Yes, he does
C No, he doesn´t

6 What does speaker C do?
A He’s a dentist
B He’s an assistant
C He’s a psychologist

7 What does speaker D say is difficult about being a pilot?
A Flying in Europe
B Travelling to many countries
C Flying planes in bad weather

8 What does speaker D say is the best about his job?
A The different weather
B Visiting different places
C Meeting different people

9 Speaker E is a …
A nurse
B doctor
C surgeon

10 What does speaker E not like about his job?
A Working nights
B Working in a big hospital
C Working in the city centre


EXERCISE TWO: FINCHESTER ZOO

1 The zoo is open from____________________ to Sunday.
2 Closing time in summer: ___________________.
3 Meeting place for tour: ___________________.
4 The tour finishes at the___________________.
5 At two o’clock, see the___________________ eat their food.
6 The elephants have their food at ___________________.
7 The zoo shop sells books and ____________________.
8 You can eat some___________________ in the café.
9 ____________________tickets cost £6.85.
10 A family ticket costs £____________________.





domingo, 21 de julio de 2019

Other ways to say... 2: YOUR OPINION

In my opinion...
If you ask me...
The way I see it...
It seems to me...
As far as I can see it...
As far as I am concerned...
I feel...
I honestly believe that...
From my point of view...
I assume...
I consider...
To me...
I would say...
I believe...
I guess...
To my way of thinking...

AGREEMENT

You got it.
I guess so.
That is exactly how I feel.
Sure.
That's right.
I see what you mean...
I agree.
So do I.
Me too.
Definitely.
You took the words out of my mouth.
I couldn't have said it any better.
You've got a point there.
No doubt about it.


DISAGREEMENT

I find that very difficult to accept.
I disagree.
I am afraid I disagree.
Sorry, but I can't agree with you there.
I don't think so.
I´m not sure about that.
Yes, but...
I agree with you to a point, but...
I understand what you are saying, however...
That's a matter of opinion.
I beg to differ.
On the contrary...
Yes, but don't you think...?

Other ways to say... 1: FEELINGS

Sometimes we repeat the same words time after time. Here you will find synonyms to avoid that behaviour. This would be great for your writings and speaking. Extra vocabulary to be more accurate while talking.

HAPPY

Cheerful
Delighted
Pleased
Amused
Content
On cloud 9
Thrilled
In the 7th heaven
Walking on air
Glad
Euphoric
Ecstatic
In good humor
Joyful


SAD

Unhappy
Miserable
Frustrated
Downcast
Gloomy
Despondent
Devastated
Dissapointed
Dispirited
Blue
Sorrowful
Desolated
Hopeless
Joyless
In heavy spirits
Pessimistic


ANGRY

Irate
Enraged
Touchy
Mad
Cross
Resentful
Indignant
Wound up
Seething
Furious
Grumpy
Irascible
Exasperated
In a temper
At the boiling point


SHOCKED

Taken aback
Lost for words
Tongue-tight
Outraged
Astonished
Speechless
Stunned
Confused
Distress
Disturb
Stupefy


SCARED

Spooked
Agitated
Tense
Apprehensive
Concerned
Bothered
Petrified
Alarmed
Afraid
Terrified
Frightened
Alarmed
Anxious


EXCITED

Stimulated
Agitated
Enthusiastic
Wild
Nervous
Hysterical
Passionate
Inspired
Delirious
Thrilled
Fired
Motivated
Set on fire


WORRIED

Upset
Troubled
Anxious
Perturbed
Disturbed
Bothered
Concerned


BORED

Dull
Sick and tired
Apathetic
Lethargic
Uninterested


CONFIDENT

Sure
Positive
Convinced
Trusting
Assured
Self-reliant
Certain


TIRED

Exhausted
Fatigued
Weary
Sleepy
Consumed
Burned out
Overtaxed
Overworked
Worn-out


lunes, 27 de mayo de 2019

SOLUTIONS FCE Use of English PART 3.1

here you have the solutions for the Use of english part 3.1
Remember that some times it is neccesary to use prefix and suffix in the same word. Have a look at the list of the most common words if you need it. Some words are irregular too.

1   DELIGHTFUL

2   CHOICE

3   IMPRESSIVE

4   HIGHLY

5   ATTRACTIONS

6   ANNUALLY

7   STORMY

8   UNSUITABLE

9   EASILY

10  RELIABLE

sábado, 25 de mayo de 2019

WORD FORMATION: the most common ones

Here you have a list of the most common words used in the third part of the cambridge exams (level b2 and c1).
Word formation is an important part of the USE OF ENGLISH. 
Don't study a list. You just have to read it and try to get used to writing the word correctly as there are no rules for using SUFFIXES or PREFIXES.

ABLE
- Ability
- Enable
- Disable
- Disabled
-Disability


ACCEPT
- Acceptable
- Acceptably
- Unacceptable
- Unacceptability
- Acceptability
- Acceptance


ACCESS
- Accessible
- Inaccessible
- Accessibility
- Accession


ACCURATE
- Inaccurate
- Accuracy
- Inaccuracy


ACTIVE
- Inactive
- Actively
- Activate
- Activist
- Activity
- Activism
- Activator
- Activation


ADD
- Addition
- Additional
- Additionally
- Additive
- Addable
- Add-on


ADMIT
- Admission
- Admittance
- Admissible
- Inadmissible
- Admiteddly
- Readmit


APPROVE
- Approval
- Disapproval
- Approving
- Disapproving
- Disapprovingly


ASSESS
- Assessment
- Assessor


ASSIST
- Assistant
- Assistance


ATTEND
- Attendance
- Attendant
- Inattention
- Attentive
- Inattentive


BELIEF
- Disbelief
- Believe
- Disbelieve
- Believer
- Believable
- Unbelievable
- Unbelievably


BREAK
- Breakable
- Unbreakable
- Outbreak
- Breakaway
- Breakdown
- Breakthrough


BROAD
- Broaden
- Breadth
- Broadminded
- Broadside
- Broadcast
- Broadcaster


CARE
- Careless
- Carelessly
- Careful
- Carefully
- Carefree
- Caring
- Caringly


CHARACTER
- Characterless
- Characterize
- Characterization
- Characteristic
- Characteristically


CHILD
- Childhood
- Childish
- Childishly
- Childless
- Childlike


CLEAR
- Unclear
- Clearly
- Clearance
- Clarity
- Clarify
- Clarification


CLOSE
- Closely
- Closeness
- Closure
- Disclose
- Disclosure
- Enclose


COMFORT
- Discomfort
- Comfortable
- Uncomfortable
- Comforting
- Comfortably


COMPARE
- Comparison
- Comparable
- Comparably
- Comparative
- Comparability
- Incomparable
- Incomparably


COMPETE
- Competition
- Competitor
- Competitive
- Uncompetitive


CREATE
- Creation
- Creator
- Creature
- Creativity
- Creative
- Creatively
- Uncreative
- Uncreatively
- Recreate
- Recreation
- Creacionist
- Creationism


DIE
- Dead
- Death
- Deathly


DELIVER
- Delivery
- Deliverer
- Deliverable
- Undeliverable
- Deliverance
- Undelivered


DEPEND
- Dependence
- Independence
- Dependent
- Independent
- Dependant
- Independently
- Dependability


DEVELOP
- Development
- Developmental
- Developmentally
- Developer
- Developing
- Underdeveloped


DIFFER
- Difference
- Indifference
- Different
- Differently
- Differential
- Differentiation
- Indifferent
- Differentiate


DIRECT
- Direction
- Directive
- Directly
- Director
- Directory
- Indirect
- Indirectly
- Redirect


DIVIDE
- Division
- Divisible
- Dividable


DOUBT
- Doubtless
- Doubtful
- Doubtlessly


EASY
- Ease
- Easily


EFFECT
- Effective
- Effectively
- Effectiveness
- Ineffective
- Ineffectively
- Ineffectiveness


EDUCATE
- Educator
- Educated
- Educational
- Educationally


EMPLOY
- Employer
- Employee
- Employment
- Unemployment
- Employed
- Unemployed
- Employable


EQUAL
- Equality
- Inequality
- Equalizer
- Unequal
- Unequally


EXCEPT
- Exception
- Exceptional
- Exceptionally


EXIST
- Existing
- Existence
- Existent
- Coexist
- Coexistence
- Non-existence
- Non-existent
- Existential


EXPAND
- Expansive
- Expandable


EXPECT
- Expectation
- Expentancy
- Expectant
- Unexpected
- Unexpectedly


EXTEND
- Extent
- Extension
- Extensive
- Extensively
- Extendable


FAIL
- Failure
- Failed


FAMILIAR
- Familiarity
- Familiarize
- Familiarly
- Unfamiliar
- Unfamiliarity
- Familiarization


FASHION
- Fashionable
- Unfashionable
- Unfashionably


FAT
- Fatty
- Fatten
- Fatness


FREE
- Freedom


GROW
- Growth


GUIDE
- Guidance
- Guideline
- Misguide


HARM
- Harmful
- Harmless
- Harmfully


HAZARD
- Hazardous
- Hazardously


HOME
- Homecoming
- Homeland
- Homeless
- Homelessness
- Homesick
- Homework


IMPRESS
- Impression
- Impressive
- Impressively
- Unimpressive
- Unimpressively
- Impressionist
- Impressionistic


INDUSTRY
- Industrial
- Industrially
- Industrialize
- Industrialization
- Industrious
- Industriously


INFORM
- Informative
- Information
- Misinform
- Misinformed
- Informer


INHABIT
- Inhabitants
- Inhabited
- Uninhabited


INJURE
- Injury
- Injurious
- Injured


INTEND
- Intention
- Intentional
- Intentionally
- Unintentional


INVENT
- Invention
- Inventor
- Inventive


INVEST
- Investor
- Investment


INVOLVE
- Involvement
- Involving


JOY
- Joyful
- Enjoy
- Enjoyable
- Enjoyment


JUDGE
- Judgement
- Judicious
- Misjudge


JUST
- Justify
- Justice
- Justifiable
- Justification
- Unjustified


KNOW
- Knowledge
- Knowledgeable
- Acknowledge
- Acknowledgement
- Unknown
- Well-known


LABOUR
- Labourers
- Labourious


LIKE
- Alike
- Dislike
- Unlike
- Likeable
- Likely
- Unlikely


LONG
- Length
- Longitude


LOSE
- Loss
- Lost
- Loser


MARRY
- Married
- Marriage


MASS
- Massive
- Massively


MEAN
- Meaning
- Meaningful
- Meaningless


MEMORY
- Memorize
- Memorable
- Memorization
- Memorably


MOVE
- Movement
- Moving


NATION
- National
- Nationalism
- Nationalist
- Nationality
- International
- Multinational


PREFER
- Preference
- Preferable
- Preferential
- Preferably


PRODUCE
- Product
- Productive
- Productively
- Production
- Producer
- Reproduce
- Reproduction
- Reproductive
- Unproductive


PROPOSE
- Proposal
- Proposition


REAL
- Really
- Unreal
- Realistic
- Reality
- Realism
- Realize
- Realization


RECEIVE
- Receiver
- Reception
- Receiving


RECOGNIZE
- Recognition
- Recognizable
- Recognizably
- Unrecognizable


REFER
- Reference
- Referee
- Referential


REFUSE
- Refusal


RELY
- Reliable
- Unreliable
- Reliance


SAFE
- Safety
- Safely


SATISFY
- Satisfaction
- Dissatisfaction
- Satisfying


SENSE
- Nonsence
- Senseless
- Sensible
- Sensitive


SHORT
- Shorten
- Shortage


SUBSTANCE
- Substantial
- Substantially
- Unsubstantial


SUIT
- Suitable
- Suitability
- Unsuitable


TEMPT
- Tempter
- Temptation
- Tempting


THINK
- Thoughtful
- Thoughtfully
- Thoughtfulness


TOLERATE
- Tolerance
- Intolerance
- Tolerant
- Intolerant
- Tolerable
- Intolerable


TRUE
- Truly
- Truth
- Untrue


UNDERSTAND
- Understanding
- Understandable
- Understandably
- Misunderstand
- Misunderstanding


VALUE
- Valuable
- Invaluable
- Devalue
- Overvalue
- Revalue


VARY
- Varied
- Invariable
- Invariably
- Variability
- Variable
- Variety
- Variably


WEIGH
- Weight
- Weightless
- Weighty
- Overweight
- Underweight
- Outweight


WISE
- Unwise
- Wisdom





domingo, 19 de mayo de 2019

SOLUTIONS FCE Reading PART 6

Here you have the answers for the 6th part of the FCE exam. Remember to pay attention to the whole text. You will find here the correct choice. Look at the key words to understand why it is connected with the correct option.
If you still have any doubt please, write a comment and I will help you.

1  D
The sentence says "IT BEGAN" and the text continues with "THEN..." and it talks about indoors and outside places like "football pitches".

2  G
The sentence says "AS A RESULT" and "SLOW EXPERIMENTATION" and the text talks about "GRADUAL EXPLORATION".

3  F
The text mentions the evolution of the process and says "AUTOMATED" and after gap it says also "A FEW MISTAKES". That connects with "NOT SAY...HAS BEEN WITHOUT INCIDENT".

4  A
"THIS ROUTE IS GOING TO STAY CONSISTENT" says the text. And the sentence talks about "CONSISTENCY ESSENTIAL".

5  C
This paragraph talks about "THINK POSITIVELY" and the sentence mentions "FEELINGS OF LIBERATION", "ANY ANXIETY"...

6  E
The paragraph talks about "COMPETE ON EQUAL TERMS", "COMPETE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE" and the sentence mentions "RUN WITH EVERYONE".




viernes, 17 de mayo de 2019

FCE Reading PART 6

This is the second part of the reading test for the FCE level. In this part of the exam you have to read a text and fill in the gaps with the sentences given. There are 6 gaps and 7 possible answers. Only one is correct for each gap. There is one extra letter you do not need to use. Use the letters only once.
Pay attention to the text. Tomorrow you will find here the answers. Good luck!

Here you have the options:

A  These provide the familiarity and consistency essential for the blind runner.

B Their support gave him extra confidence regarding his changing surroundings.

C Simon believes the feeling of liberation and independece he gets from running solo far overweigh any anxiety over such dangers.

D He began by training on football pitches behind his house, running between the goalposts.

E It gives him a great opportunity to run with everyone.

F That's not to say the learning curve has been without incidents.

G As a result of this slow experimentation, he was able to memorise a set five-kilometre course.


miércoles, 1 de mayo de 2019

SOLUTIONS Phrasal Verbs for COMMUNICATION: EXERCISES

Exercise 1
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verbs. Use them only once.

1. I will CALL BACK when you are not so busy.

2. HANG ON a minute, I am not ready.

3. We always COME BACK TO the same point.

4. Please, leave a message and I will GET BACK TO you.

5. She wanted to ask his name, but something HELD her BACK.

6. HOLD ON a moment, please, I will put you through the marketing department.

7. He rang the office and ASKED FOR Martha.

8. The radio station had an open line on which listeners could CALL UP to discuss issues.

9. He asked me to help and I couldn't TURN him DOWN.

10. These are the sort of questions that I will be PUTTING TO the politicians.

11. The essay was full of complex ideas and it was hard to MAKE them OUT.

12. Hi there! How are you? I just wanted to TALK TO you.

13. Have you HEARD anything FROM Oliver since he went to university?


Exercise 2
Replace the underlined phrasal verbs with one from the list with the same meaning.


1. Can we go back to the point you raised earlier?   GET BACK TO

2. I can't work out why he did it.   MAKE OUT

3. I rang Stefan back the following day.   CALL BACK

4. Can you hold on for a minute or two?   HANG ON

5. Can I talk with you about this?   TALK TO

6. You can phone up and speak to an adviser at any time.   CALL UP

Exercise 3
Complete the sentences choosing the correct option.

1. Would you mind holding ON while I call Mr Smith?

2. He is not here at the moment. Can I ask him to call you BACK?

3. I will get BACK to you soon with my decision.

4. The photo is very unclear - I can't make it OUT very well.

5. He asked her to go to the cinema with him but she turned him DOWN.

6. I've got a proposal I would like to put TO you.

martes, 30 de abril de 2019

Phrasal Verbs for COMMUNICATION: EXERCISES

Exercise 1
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the phrasal verbs. Use them only once.

ASK FOR     CALL BACK     CALL UP     COME BACK TO     GET BACK TO     HANG ON     HEAR FROM     HOLD BACK     HOLD ON     MAKE OUT     PUT TO     TALK TO     TURN DOWN

1. I will __________ when you are not so busy.

2. __________ a minute, I am not ready.

3. We always __________ the same point.

4. Please, leave a message and I will __________ you.

5. She wanted to ask his name, but something _____ her _____.

6. __________ a moment, please, I will put you through the marketing department.

7. He rang the office and __________ Martha.

8. The radio station had an open line on which listeners could __________ to discuss issues.

9. He asked me to help and I couldn't _____ him _____.

10. These are the sort of questions that I will be __________ the politicians.

11. The essay was full of complex ideas and it was hard to _____ them _____.

12. Hi there! How are you? I just wanted to __________ you.

13. Have you _____ anything _____ Oliver since he went to university?


Exercise 2
Replace the underlined phrasal verbs with one from the list with the same meaning.

CALL ___BACK      CALL UP      GET BACK TO      HANG ON      MAKE OUT     TALK TO

1. Can we go back to the point you raised earlier?

2. I can't work out why he did it.

3. I rang Stefan back the following day.

4. Can you hold on for a minute or two?

5. Can I talk with you about this?

6. You can phone up and speak to an adviser at any time.

Exercise 3
Complete the sentences choosing the correct option.

1. Would you mind holding   OUT / ON / BACK  while I call Mr Smith?

2. He is not here at the moment. Can I ask him to call you   UP / BACK / OUT?

3. I will get BACK / OUT / ON to you soon with my decision.

4. The photo is very unclear - I can't make it OUT / UP / OVER very well.

5. He asked her to go to the cinema with him but she turned him  OUT / BACK / DOWN.

6. I've got a proposal I would like to put TRHOUGH / TO / WITH you.

Phrasal verbs for COMMUNICATION

Here you have a list of some phrasal verbs for communication. These are the most common ones.

Ask for
1. If you ASK FOR STH, you say you would like to have it.
2. If you ASK FOR SB when you are making a phone call, you say you would like to speak to him.


Call back ("Ring back" is a mainly British synonym)
1. If you CALL BACK, you go to see someone briefly for a second time.
2. If you CALL BACK, you telephone someone for a second time.
3. If you CALL SB BACK, you telephone them again in return for a telephone call they have made to you.


Call up ("Phone up" or "Ring up" are synonyms)
1. If you CALL UP or CALL SB UP, you telephone someone.


Come back to
1. If you COME BACK TO a particular subject, you mention or start to discuss it again.


Get back to
1. If you GET BACK TO someone, you contact them again after a short period of time.
2. If you GET BACK TO what you were doing or talking about before, you start doing it again. ("Go back to" is a synonym)


Hang on ("Hold on" is a synonym)
1. If you HANG ON, you wait for a short time. (INFORMAL).


Hear from
1. If you HEAR FROM someone or HEAR STH FROM them, you receive a phone call from them.


Hold back
1. If you HOLD BACK, or if STH HOLDS YOU BACK, you do not do or say something you want to do or say.


Hold on
1. If you HOLD ON, you wait or stop what you are doing for a short time.
2. If you ask someone you are speaking to on the phone to HOLD ON, you want them to wait.


Make out
1. If you MAKE STH OUT, you manage to see or hear it.  ("Pick out" is a synonym)
2. If you MAKE STH OUT, you manage to understand it.  ("Work out" is a synonym)
3. If you MAKE OUT that something is true, you try to make people believe it.


Put to
1. If you PUT STH TO SB, you say it to them in order to find out how they react to it.


Talk to ("Talk with" is a synonym from American English)
1. If you TALK TO SB, you have a conversation with them.


Turn down
1. If you TURN STH/SB DOWN, you refuse a request or offer.






viernes, 26 de abril de 2019

SOLUTIONS Vocabulary mixed exercise

Today I bring to you the solutions of some exercises from the British Council website about vocabulary. 

Exercise 1
Select a word from the list below that has the most similar meaning to the word given.
Example: BIG   =   LARGE

GO     BEGIN     PLAN     LISTEN     READ     RUN     CHOOSE     SPEAK     END     GET

Study   =   PLAN
Receive   =   GET
Start   =   BEGIN
Talk   =   SPEAK
Pick   =   CHOOSE


Exercise 2
Complete the definitions using a word from the list below.

ATTEND     ASSEMBLE     APPROACH     ARRIVE     ADMIT     ANNOUNCE     ARRANGE     ADJUST     ACCEPT     WRAP

To cover with paper or material is to WRAP
To improve or change is to ADJUST
To state or make public is to ANNOUNCE
To get somewhere is to ARRIVE
To put something together is to ASSEMBLE


Exercise 3
Complete each sentence using a word from the list below.

AWKWARD     ANCIENT     AHEAD     ADEQUATE     ARTICULATE     ALERT     ACCURATE     ABROAD     ADULT     AGGRESSIVE

More and more people go ABROAD for their  holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain ALERT when in charge of a car.
The city has many ANCIENT and interesting buildings.
She's a highly ACCURATE person who explains things clearly.
He is a very AGGRESSIVE person - always getting into fights.


Exercise 4
Select a word from the list below that has the most similar meaning to the word given.

LINE     JOINT     COMMAND     PRIZE     MESS     FRIGHT     SCHEDULE     DOCK     STAGE     MISTAKE

Timetable   =   SCHEDULE
Reward   =   PRIZE
Queue   =   LINE
Phase   =   STAGE
Error   =   MISTAKE


Exercise 5
Select from the list below the word that is most often used with the one given.

BOMB     AUDITION     SCISSORS      CLASSES     STRINGS     SALESMAN     MINISTER     SEAT     ROD     SEEP

Aerobics   +   CLASSES
Agriculture   +   MINISTER
Aisle   +   SEAT
Apron   +   STRINGS
Atom   +   BOMB

jueves, 25 de abril de 2019

EOI New Exercise

MEDIACIÓN ORAL TEXTUAL INTERLINGÜÍSTICA

Este nuevo ejercicio añadido este año a la prueba de certificación de las Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas de España trata de textos en lengua castellana que han de ser traducidos al idioma final, en este caso inglés, de forma oral para unir la comprensión lectora con producción oral en el mismo ejercicio. Así nos introducen en una supuesta situación donde debemos explicar un tema coloquial a otra persona de distinto idioma.

Para preparar esta prueba, tendremos 4 minutos para leer el texto y tomar notas. Nos dejarán tener un pequeño folio con algunas anotaciones durante la intervención que será de 2 minutos y medio aproximadamente. Tendremos que tener en cuenta la información que nos piden pues no todo el texto será relevante en la parte oral. Tendremos que estar atentos a qué información cribar y cuál añadir al speech.

Veamos un ejemplo extraído de la propia EOI de Avilés (Asturias) para practicar. Se trata de un texto adaptado de https://www.infobae.com . Los textos pueden ser sacados de revistas, periódicos o elaborados por la propia Escuela.

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Imagina que tienes que dar una pequeña charla en un Congreso Internacional sobre publicidad en Aberdeen (Escocia). Explica a tu audiencia las claves más importantes para detectar publicidad engañosa basado en la información de abajo y omitiendo toda la información realizada con compras por Internet, ya que tu colega alemán va a hablar sobre ello.

1.   Leer toda la letra pequeña: en especial, hay que prestar atención a la información complementaria o apartado legal - que se conoce como "letra chica" - y a los datos relevantes del producto al margen del texto principal, ya sea al pie de  página o sobre el margen.

2.   Atención con las publicidades sobre productos o servicios que se venden por internet: el apartado legal debe informar que en este tipo de compras el consumidor tiene 15 días para arrepentirse de la operación y devolver el producto - sin haberlo usado - y sin tener que pagar gastos de envío u otros.

3.   Revisar datos clave de la oferta: Significa verificar puntillosamente la vigencia (fecha de inicio y finalización), la cantidad de productos (stock) con la cual se va a cubrir la promoción y el lugar donde se pueden comprar. Durante la vigencia de la oferta, el anunciante está obligado a vender ese producto; si se terminó, debe ofrecer uno igual o mejor.

4.   Conocer el precio final: Las publicacidades no tienen la obligación de informar precios, pero si lo hacen deben cumplir las normas legales: no puede haber diferencias entre el precio informado en el anuncio y el precio final en el caso de adquirir el bien o servicio publicitado. Es simple: el precio publicitado debe ser efectivamente el precio final.

5.   Guardar todo: Si luego de observar atentamente las características del aviso, se decide comprar, hay que saber que como la empresa está obligada a cumplir con las condiciones publicitadas, "es muy importante guardar todos los folletos y avisos relacionados con el producto o servicio, hasta que la operación se cumpla acabadamente".

Vocabulary mixed exercise

Today I bring to you some exercises from the British Council website about vocabulary. Tomorrow with the answers you will have also the explanations or synonyms. Good luck!

Exercise 1
Select a word from the list below that has the most similar meaning to the word given.
Example: BIG   =   LARGE

GO     BEGIN     PLAN     LISTEN     READ     RUN     CHOOSE     SPEAK     END     GET

Study   =   ..........
Receive   =   ..........
Start   =   ..........
Talk   =   ..........
Pick   =   ..........


Exercise 2
Complete the definitions using a word from the list below.

ATTEND     ASSEMBLE     APPROACH     ARRIVE     ADMIT     ANNOUNCE     ARRANGE     ADJUST     ACCEPT     WRAP

To cover with paper or material is to ..........
To improve or change is to ..........
To state or make public is to ..........
To get somewhere is to ..........
To put something together is to ..........


Exercise 3
Complete each sentence using a word from the list below.

AWKWARD     ANCIENT     AHEAD     ADEQUATE     ARTICULATE     ALERT     ACCURATE     ABROAD     ADULT     AGGRESSIVE

More and more people go .......... for their  holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain .......... when in charge of a car.
The city has many .......... and interesting buildings.
She's a highly .......... person who explains things clearly.
He is a very .......... person - always getting into fights.


Exercise 4
Select a word from the list below that has the most similar meaning to the word given.

LINE     JOINT     COMMAND     PRIZE     MESS     FRIGHT     SCHEDULE     DOCK     STAGE     MISTAKE

Timetable   =   ..........
Reward   =   ..........
Queue   =   ..........
Phase   =   ..........
Error   =   ..........


Exercise 5
Select from the list below the word that is most often used with the one given.

BOMB     AUDITION     SCISSORS      CLASSES     STRINGS     SALESMAN     MINISTER     SEAT     ROD     SEEP

Aerobics   +   ..........
Agriculture   +   ..........
Aisle   +   ..........
Apron   +   ..........
Atom   +   ..........

viernes, 19 de abril de 2019

SOLUTIONS FCE Listening Test 3

Here you have the solutions for the third trial of the listening test.

1 B
"Fortunately, I'd been shown a DVD for learners so I knew in advance more or less what to expect."

2 C
"I suppose it depends on the individual in terms of their fitness, previous experience in related sports such as sailing, and of course how much effort they put in."

3 A
"I signed up for a six-month course at a local windsurfing centre, and it was money well spent."

4 B
"Let somebody on shore know what time you're due back and, just in case, the rescue services have to search for you, what colours your board and sail are so they know it's you."

5 B
"It would've made more sense to have hired it for that initial period of time."

6 C
"If i had to choose one it'd be the way it lets you empty your mind of all the stress and concerns of daily life."

7 B
"Perhaps racing other people. In fact, that's probably what I'll do..... I may not win any prizes...."