29 June 2012

XXIII - EXERCISES Modal verbs VII

Related grammar:


1: When we were children, we __________ tidy our rooms before we could watch TV.

a. must
b. had to
c. have to
d. should


2: Now I have a good salary, I __________ worry about paying the rent.

a. mustn't
b. have to
c. don't have to
d. must to not


3: Which sentence has the strongest obligation?

a. I have to call my mum because it's her birthday.
b. I ought to call my mum because it's her birthday.
c. I should call my mum because it's her birthday.
d. I could call my mum because it's her birthday.


4: You __________ use a video camera to record films while you are in the cinema. It's illegal.

a. oughtn't to
b. can't
c. shouldn't
d. don't have to


5: For us, the ideal house __________ have three bedrooms but it __________ have a big kitchen. Kitchens aren't very important for us as we rarely cook.

a. must/ mustn't
b. should/ shouldn't
c. can/ can't
d. has to/ doesn't have to


6: The doctor says he __________ be careful about his weight and diet because he has a history of heart disease in his family.

a. must
b. has to
c. should
d. all of the above


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: When we were children, we __________ tidy our rooms before we could watch TV.

a. must
b. had to
c. have to
d. should

2: Now I have a good salary, I __________ worry about paying the rent.

a. mustn't
b. have to
c. don't have to
d. must to not

3: Which sentence has the strongest obligation?

a. I have to call my mum because it's her birthday.
b. I ought to call my mum because it's her birthday.
c. I should call my mum because it's her birthday.
d. I could call my mum because it's her birthday.

4: You __________ use a video camera to record films while you are in the cinema. It's illegal.

a. oughtn't to
b. can't
c. shouldn't
d. don't have to

5: For us, the ideal house __________ have three bedrooms but it __________ have a big kitchen. Kitchens aren't very important for us as we rarely cook.

a. must/ mustn't
b. should/ shouldn't
c. can/ can't
d. has to/ doesn't have to

6: The doctor says he __________ be careful about his weight and diet because he has a history of heart disease in his family.

a. must
b. has to
c. should
d. all of the above


IV - EXERCISES Modal verbs VI

Related grammar:

Modal verbs 

EXERCISE ONE

Complete with the modals can, could or with the conditional be able to:

1-      I……………………………….. never ……………………………….. to understand his handwriting.
2-      He used ……………………………….. to speak German well.
3-      If you spoke English, you ……………………………….. get a job in an international company.
4-      When I lived in Paris, I ……………………………….. go to the Louvre museum any time I wanted.
5-      I ……………………………….. see you this afternoon, if you want.
6-      When I pass the driving test, I ……………………………….. to drive anywhere I want.
7-       ……………………………….. you come to the party tomorrow?
8-      I love ……………………………….. to want what I want with my free time.
9-      The mechanic ……………………………….. to fix my car last week.
10-   To do this job you need ……………………………….. to use computers.

EXERCISE TWO

Complete with the modal could or with was/were able to (positive or negative forms):

1-      The police ……………………………….. (catch) the thief shortly after the robbery.
2-      He ……………………………….. (cycle) for hours when he was a kid and he wouldn't feel tired.
3-      She ………………………………..  (not/ write) until she was 10.
4-      We ………………………………..  (not/ fix) the central heating, so we had to call the technician.
5-      The house was on fire, but he ………………………………..  (escape) through the chimney.
6-      People ………………………………..  (not/travel) abroad under the communist regime.
7-      I ………………………………..  (study) all day and all night when I was a student.
8-      She ………………………………..  (answer) all the questions, so she failed her exam.

---------------------------------------------------------

EXERCISE ONE:
1. I have never been able to understand his handwriting.
2. He used to be able to speak German well.
3. If you spoke English, you could get a job in an international company.
4. When I lived in Paris, I could go to the Louvre museum any time I wanted.
5. I can see you this afternoon, if you want.
6. When I pass the driving test, I will be able to drive anywhere I want.
7. Can you come to the party tomorrow?
8. I love being able to want what I want with my free time.
9. The mechanic was able to fix my car last week.
10. To do this job you need to be able to use computers.

EXERCISE TWO:
1. The police were able to catch (catch) the thief shortly after the robbery.
2. He could cycle (cycle) for hours when he was a kid and he wouldn't feel tired.
3. She couldn't write (not/ write) until she was 10.
4. We weren't able to fix (not/ fix) the central heating, so we had to call the technician.
5. The house was on fire, but he was able to escape (escape) through the chimney.
6. People couldn't travel (not/travel) abroad under the communist regime.
7. I could study (study) all day and all night when I was a student.
8. She wasn't able to answer (answer) all the questions, so she failed her exam.

XXII - EXERCISES Modal verbs V



Related grammar:


Conditionals and modals:

1: I wish it ____________ stop raining!

a. would
b. will
c. won't
d. does


               2: If only I _________ crashed the car!

a. had
b. hadn't
c. did
d. didn't


               3: He wouldn't have been late for the exam if he ____________ earlier.

a. leave
b. left
c. had left
d. hadn't left


               4: Where is he? He should ___________ home hours ago.      

a. be
b. were
c. have been
d. had been


               5: I decided not to do it at the last minute because I might ___________ myself.

a. had been hurt
b. hurted
c. have hurt
d. had hurt

               6: He must ____________ it, he was the only one who had a key.

a. have stolen
b. stole
c. has stolen
d. had stolen

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: I wish it ____________ stop raining!

a. would
b. will
c. won't
d. does


               2: If only I _________ crashed the car!

a. had
b. hadn't
c. did
d. didn't

               3: He wouldn't have been late for the exam if he ____________ earlier.

a. leave
b. left
c. had left
d. hadn't left

               4: Where is he? He should ___________ home hours ago.      

a. be
b. were
c. have been
d. had been

               5: I decided not to do it at the last minute because I might ___________ myself.

a. had been hurt
b. hurted
c. have hurt
d. had hurt

               6: He must ____________ it, he was the only one who had a key.

a. have stolen
b. stole
c. has stolen
d. had stolen

XXI - EXERCISES Modal verbs IV


Related grammar:


Choose the correct form and modal / conditional verb:

               1: She _______________ French and Japanese.                                             

a. does can speak
b. can speaks
c. is can speak
d. can speak


               2: When I was young my father ____________ me a story every evening before I went to sleep.                                          

a. will told
b. would told
c. would tell
d. can tell


               3: I _______________ the exam. I only answered two of the ten questions.

a. can't be passed
b. couldn't have pass
c. can't have pass
d. none of the above


               4: Excuse me sir. You ____________ smoke here. It's against the rules. Didn't you see the sign?                              

a. couldn't
b. can't
c. can
d. must


               5: After quite a few attempts, he finally ____________ smoking last year.          

a. managed to give up
b. could give up
c. managed to giving up
d. none of the above


               6: He knows he ____________ on a diet but he's just got no will power.              

a. should ought to go
b. ought should go
c. ought to go
d. oughts go


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               1: She _______________ French and Japanese.                                             

e. does can speak
f. can speaks
g. is can speak
h. can speak



               2: When I was young my father ____________ me a story every evening before I went to sleep.                                          

e. will told
f. would told
g. would tell
h. can tell



               3: I _______________ the exam. I only answered two of the ten questions.

e. can't be passed
f. couldn't have pass
g. can't have pass
h. none of the above



               4: Excuse me sir. You ____________ smoke here. It's against the rules. Didn't you see the sign?                              

e. couldn't
f. can't
g. can
h. must



               5: After quite a few attempts, he finally ____________ smoking last year.          

e. managed to give up
f. could give up
g. managed to giving up
h. none of the above



               6: He knows he ____________ on a diet but he's just got no will power.              

e. should ought to go
f. ought should go
g. ought to go
h. oughts go

28 June 2012

X - VOCABULARY Asking for & giving directions

Related links:

EXERCISES Giving directions

ASKING FOR AND GIVING DIRECTIONS
Vocabulary



How do I get to …?
What's the best way to …?
Do you know the way to…?
Where is …?
Can you tell me…?
Go straight on (until you come to …).
Turn back./Go back.
Turn left/right (into …-street).
Go along …
Cross …
Take the first/second road on the left/right
It's on the left/right.
Straight on
Opposite 
Near 
Next to
Between 
At the end (of)
On/at the corner
Behind 
In front of
(Just) around the corner
Traffic lights
Crossroads, junction 
Signpost 



Language for giving directions

Left
go left
turn left
it's on the left
take a left
take the second (turning) on the left
Right
go right
turn right
it's on the right
take a right
take the second (turning) on the right

Ahead
go ahead
go straight ahead
go straight on

XX - EXERCISES Giving directions

Related links:

VOCABULARY Asking & giving directions

GIVING DIRECTIONS
For each question choose the one correct answer.
1: If you go up to the fifth floor, you'll find his office ____ your right as you come out the elevator.


a: on
b: in
c: by


2:  Go to the end of the road and ____ left by the traffic lights.


a: bend
b: turn
c: twist


3: _____ a right just after the supermarket.  


a: Have  
b: Take  
c: Give


4:  You    ____ his house, it's painted bright pink!


a: can’t find  
b: can’t miss  
c: can't lose


5: Go ____ on to the end of the road.


a: straight  
b: near
c: towards


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1: If you go up to the fifth floor, you'll find his office ____ your right as you come out
the elevator.
a: on
2:  Go to the end of the road and ____ left by the traffic lights.
b: turn
3: _____ a right just after the supermarket.  
b: Take  
4:  You    ____ his house, it's painted bright pink!
b: can’t miss  
5: Go ____ up to the end of the road.
a: straight

XIX - EXTRA Cartoons



Marosa I


Marosa II


Chelo


Nabila


 Nuria I


Nuria II


Alicia I


Alicia II


Isabel


Nuria


Teresa


Carolina


Ángel


Luís


Vicky I

  
Vicky II

 
Vicky III


Conchi

 
Nacho

 
Merchi

 
Laura

 
Iciar I

 
Iciar II

 
Alfonso

27 June 2012

XXI - EXTRA Humorous grammar rules


HUMOROUS GRAMMAR RULES

1. Verbs HAS to agree with their subjects.

2. Never use a preposition to end a sentence with. Winston Churchill, corrected on this error once, responded to the young man who corrected him by saying "Young man, that is the kind of impudence up with which I will not put!

3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.

4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.

5. Avoid cliches like the plague. (They're old hat.)

6. Also, always avoid annoying alliteration.

7. Be more or less specific.

8. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.

9. Also too, never, ever use repetitive redundancies endlessly over and over again.

10. No sentence fragments.

11. Contractions aren't always necessary and shouldn't be used to excess so don't.

12. Foreign words and phrases are not always apropos.

13. Do not be redundant; do not use more words than necessary; it's highly superfluous and can be excessive.

14. All generalizations are bad.

15. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.

16. Don't use no double negatives.

17. Avoid excessive use of ampersands & abbrevs., etc.

18. One-word sentences? Eliminate.

19. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake (Unless they are as good as gold).

20. The passive voice is to be ignored.

21. Eliminate commas, that are, not necessary. Parenthetical words, however, should be enclosed in commas.

22. Never use a big word when substituting a diminutive one would suffice.

23. Don't overuse exclamation points!!!

24. Use words correctly, irregardless of how others use them.

25. Understatement is always the absolute best way to put forth earth-shaking ideas.

26. Use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed and use it correctly with words' that show possession.

27. Don't use too many quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "I hate quotations.. Tell me what you know."

28. If you've heard it once, you've heard it a billion times: Resist hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it correctly. Besides, hyperbole is always overdone, anyway.

29. Puns are for children, not groan readers.

30. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.

31. Even IF a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.

32. Who needs rhetorical questions? However, what if there were no rhetorical questions?

33. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.

34. Avoid "buzz-words"; such integrated transitional scenarios complicate simplistic matters.

35. People don't spell "a lot" correctly alot of the time.

36. Each person should use their possessive pronouns correctly.

37. All grammar and spelling rules have exceptions (with a few exceptions)....Morgan's Law.

38. Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

39. The dash - a sometimes useful punctuation mark - can often be overused - even though it's a helpful tool some of the time.

40. Proofread carefully to make sure you don't repeat repeat any words.

41. In writing, it's important to remember that dangling sentences.

IV - A BIT CONFUSED Also, well & too

ALSO, AS WELL AND TOO
Also means 'besides', 'as well', 'too' and similar ideas. It normally goes in mid position with the verb. It is placed after auxiliary verbs and before other verbs.

· He got his article published. He also won an award.
· She is a doctor. Her husband is also a doctor.
· When they withdraw their forces, we shall also withdraw ours.


When also refers to the whole clause, it goes at the beginning.

· I am not about to buy this house. It is small. Also, it needs a lot of repairs.

Also, as well and too have similar meanings. But they go in different positions in clauses.
As well and too usually go at the end of a clause.

· She not only sings; she also plays the piano.
· She not only sings; she plays the piano as well.
· She not only sings; she plays the piano too.
 
We do not normally use also in short answers and imperatives. Instead we use as well and too.

· 'I have a headache.' 'I have too.' (BUT NOT I also have.)
· In an informal style we use 'me too', instead of I am too.
· 'I am going home.' 'Me too.' (More natural than 'I am too.')

IX - GRAMMAR Use of the article

USE OF THE ARTICLE
This is a complex area and correct use of articles is one of the most difficult things to get right in English. However, there are a few basic ground rules which we can try to follow and I will set them out below. I cannot cover everything in a single post, but I will try to mention the most important.

Referring to particular 'definite' things or people: the

When it is clear to both people in the interaction which things or people are being referred to, we use the:

·         The children (= our children) must be awake. I can hear John playing the piano in the sitting room (i.e. in our house)
·         The book you gave me last weekend was so exciting. I couldn't put it down.
·         When you next go to the supermarket, could you get me some pizza bases?

Second or subsequent mention: the

When we refer to something for the first time, we use an indefinite article (a/an) because the person we are talking to knows nothing about it. But when it is recognized or known, we use the:

·         I saw a squirrel in the garden (= our garden) this morning ~ Was it a red squirrel or a grey squirrel? ~ It was a grey squirrel. I think the squirrel was looking for a nut it had buried under the apple tree (i.e. the apple tree in our garden).

Unique objects: the

When we refer to unique aspects of our environment that everybody is familiar with, we use the:

·         I love listening to the wind and the rain beating on the window panes when I am inside my cottage.
·         One day I would like to fly to the moon and visit the nearest planets.
  Descripción: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/images/furniture/clear.gif
Categories or groups of people: the

If we are referring to groups of people the is required. Here are some examples:

·         The homeless are well looked after at Christmas, but not at other times of the year.
·         The poor may benefit more from the tax change than the better-off.

With superlatives: the

It is normal to insert the before the adjective + noun in superlative sentences as there is only one of its kind in this category:

·         Jane is quite a good swimmer.
·         Rachel is a better swimmer.
·         But Jacky is undoubtedly the best swimmer in the class

Seas / rivers / mountain ranges / island groups / deserts : the

·         I would never swim in the English Channel. It's far too polluted. 
·         Did you see the fireworks on the Thames on the Eve of the New Millennium?
·         Have you ever been skiing in the Alps?
·         Would you choose the Leeward Islands or the Windward Islands if you were thinking of a holiday in the Caribbean?
·         The Gobi Desert is one of the most inhospitable places in the world.

Continents / most countries / counties / states / towns / buildings / most streets / lakes / most single mountains: zero article

'Most' in the above listing indicates that there are occasional exceptions to the general rule of no article before examples in these categories. See below:

·         Cairo is a good example of a city in Egypt where Asia and Africa meet.
·         The UK, Ireland, the US and Canada are all popular destinations for students of English who want to study overseas.
·         Buckingham Palace, the main residence of the Queen is located at the end of the Mall in central London
·         Lake Como has always been popular as a holiday retreat for the English.
·         Kent and Essex are to the Thames what Louisiana and Mississippi are to the Mississippi river. 
·         Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn are two well-known mountains in the French and Swiss Alps.

Things in general: zero article

When we are discussing things in general, we normally use zero article with plural and uncountable nouns:

·         Formal education in Britain begins when children reach the age of five.
·         Basketball is more popular in China than football.
·         Patience and gratitude are qualities which are rarely observed in the youth of today.
·         But note, when we want to be specific:
·         The education I received was substandard.
·         The football played by Liverpool in their last match was awesome.

Common expressions: zero article

There are a number of common fixed expressions used with certain prepositions involving everyday time and place nouns where zero article is required:

·         At university I never bother with lunch, but always eat breakfast and supper. At school I always ate lunch and dinner, but never breakfast.
·         In Newcastle, you can always get into town late at night and home again by tube, bus or taxi.

Note that the prepositions listed above are often not the only prepositions possible. We can also say e.g. to/at/into/from church and to/in/into/out of bed/prison.

26 June 2012

III - MOVIE SPEECH A few good man




                                     KAFFEE
                         Coronel Jessep, did you order the code red?

                                     JUDGE
  You don't have to answer that question.

                                     JESSEP
                         I'll answer the question,you want answers?

                                     KAFFEE
                         I think I'm entitled to them.

                                     JESSEP
                         You want answers?!

                                     KAFFEE
                         I want the truth.

                                     JESSEP
                         You can't handle the truth!

               And nobody moves.

                                     JESSEP
                              (continuing)
                         Son, we live in a world that has
                         walls. And those walls have to be
                         guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna
                         do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I
                         have a greater responsibility than
                         you can possibly fathom. You weep
                         for Santiago and you curse the
                         marines. You have that luxury. You
                         have the luxury of not knowing what
                         I know: That Santiago's death, while
                         tragic, probably saved lives. And my
                         existence, while grotesque and
                         incomprehensible to you, saves lives.
                              (beat)
                         You don't want the truth. Because
                         deep down, in places you don't talk
                         about at parties, you want me on
                         that wall. You need me on that wall.
                              (boasting)
                         We use words like honor, code,
                         loyalty... we use these words as the
                         backbone to a life spent defending
                         something. You use 'em as a punchline.
                              (beat)
                         I have neither the time nor the
                         inclination to explain myself to a
                         man who rises and sleeps under the
                         blanket of the very freedom I provide,
                         then questions the manner in which I
                         provide it. I would rather you just said
                         thank you and went on your way.
                         Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a
                         weapon and stand a post. Either way,
                         I don't give a damn what you think
                         you're entitled to.

                                     KAFFEE
                              (quietly)
                         Did you order the code red?

                                     JESSEP
                         I did the job you sent me to do.

                                     KAFFEE
                         Did you order the code red?

                                     JESSEP
                         You're god damn right I did.

Silence. From everyone. RANDOLPH, ROSS, the M.P.'s, they're
all frozen. JO and SAM are likewise. JESSEP seems strangely,
quietly relieved. KAFFEE simply takes control of the room
now.