jueves, 26 de julio de 2012

PREPOSITIONS AND COMPOSITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS

PREPOSITION TESTS

PREPOSITIONS OF TIME AND DATE

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep3.htm


PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep1.htm


PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE AND MOVEMENT

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep2.htm


PREPOSITIONS FOR / WHILE / DURING

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep4.htm


NOUN PREPOSITIONS FOR / IN / OF / TO / WITH / BETWEEN

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep5.htm



PREOPOSITION NOUNS FOR / IN / BY / ON


http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep6.htm


ADJECTIVE PREPOSITIONS ABOUT / AT / BY / FOR / FROM

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep7.htm


ADJECTIVE PREPOSITIONS ABOUT / OF / ON / TO / WITH

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep8.htm



COMPOSITIONS

Describing an object

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
-determiner or article
-opinion
-size (height, width, lenght, volume)
-shape
-age
-colour
-nationality
-religion
-material
-noun used as an adjective
-NOUN

adjective order --> http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/exercises/adjectiveorder.htm

TENSE!!
-Present (or Past Perfect if it has expired)

You can describe SOUNDS, SMELLS, TEXTURES, etc. about the object

You can mention the activities you do with the object



EXAMPLE



CHINA CROCKERY


The china crockery here includes a large plate in which one may serve
snacks. The plate is curved up slightly at the rim. It has a golden border,
and a number of circles are painted at some distance from the rim. At the
centre is a picture of a red rose with buds and green leaves all around it.
The tea-pot has a narrow bottom, but curves outward towards the centre.
It has a spout and a handle like a triangle. There are designs in bas-relief
along the borders of the lid and the pot. The milk-pot has a concave shape
with a gently curved lip. There is also a convex bowl for sugar and a tea-
cup in a saucer. All of them have the same floral design. The background
colour of the set is light pink.



The description above gives these details:

plate

large (size)
for serving snacks (use)
curved up slightly at the rim (shape)
golden border (colour)
circles (design)
pictures of a red rose with buds and green leaves (design)


tea-pot

narrow bottom (shape)
curves outward towards the centre (shape)
handle like a triangle (shape)
designs in bas-relief along the borders (design)


milk-pot

concave (shape)
gently curved lip (shape)
for milk (use)


bowl

convex (shape)
for sugar (use)


All the objects
light pink background (colour)
floral design




TRANSLATION

La vajilla de porcelana aquí incluye un plato grande en el que uno puede servir
aperitivos. El plato está curvada ligeramente hacia arriba en el borde. Tiene el borde de oro,
y unos círculos están pintados a cierta distancia del borde. En
el centro hay un dibujo de una rosa roja con capullos y hojas verdes a su alrededor.
La tetera tiene el fondo estrecho, pero se curva hacia afuera en el centro.
Tiene un tubo de salida (pitorro) y un asa como un triángulo. Hay diseños en bajo relieve
por los bordes de la tapa y la taza. La taza de la leche tiene una forma cóncava
con un extremo curvado suavemente. También hay un cuenco convexo para el azúcar y una taza de té en un platillo. Todos ellos tienen el mismo diseño floral. El color del fondo del conjunto es de color rosa claro.

miércoles, 11 de julio de 2012

REPHRAISING




Este material no es mío. Está sacado del documento .pdf que se puede encontrar en: 


http://www.brays-ingles.com/support-files/ebookpetwriting.pdf


PET Writing
How to pass the Cambridge 
PET Writing Section


1. Do you play basketball well?
Are you a …………………… player?
2. Does art interest you?
Are you ………………… art?
3. What is your age?
How ………….. you?
4. Which is your favourite school subject?
Which school subject ………….. like best?
5. How is that spelt?
How do …………….. that?
6. Each lesson lasts forty minutes.
Each lesson …………….. long.
7. What‟s the price of this book, please?
How ………   this book, cost, please?
8. I think Spain is a wonderful country.
Spain is a wonderful country ……… opinion.
9. I think you are right about the weather.
I agree …………. about the weather.
10. I think mobile phones are very useful.
Mobile phones are very useful ……….. opinion.
11. We‟ll talk about the price first.
How ………………… about the price first?
12. Bill is too weak to carry the box.
Bill isn‟t …………. to carry the box.
13. In our school only a few students have blonde hair.
In our school, not ………………….. curly hair.
14. My sister prefers milk chocolate to dark chocolate.
My sister likes milk chocolate ………… dark chocolate.
15. In our house, dinner is usually prepared by my father.
In our house, my father …………………. dinner.
16. My father said, „Come home at 10.‟
My father told ………home at 10.
17. Susan asked for paella in the restaurant.
In the restaurant, Susan said, „Can ………… paella, please?‟
18. Mary suggested that we order a pizza.
Mary said, „Let‟s ………………… a pizza.‟
19. Britain is a small island, so everywhere is near to the sea.
Britain is a small island, so nowhere is ………………. the sea.
20. Never go for a long run without taking water with you.
Take water with you, if you‟re ……………… a long run.
21. Look at a map of Africa if you want to find Zimbabwe.
You won‟t find Zimbabwe unless ……………………… a map of Africa.
22. I became a policeman five years ago.
I …………. a  policeman for five years.
23. I came to Spain in 2005.
I …………….. in Spain since 2005.
24. My mother asked me if I wanted an ice-cream.
My mother said, „Would …………. an ice-cream?‟
25. Yesterday a photographer took my photo.
Yesterday my photo ………..…….. a photographer.
26. My book is heavier than my brothers.
My bother‟s book isn‟t …………..… mine.
27. At first, you‟ll have difficulty understanding the rules.
At first, understanding the rules will be ……………. for you.
26. My book is heavier than my brothers.
My bother‟s book isn‟t …………..… mine.
27. At first, you‟ll have difficulty understanding the rules.
At first, understanding the rules will be ……………. for you.
28. I have to find accommodation before I look for a job.
I can‟t look for a job ………………. accommodation.
29. I‟ve promised to write home and so as my sister.
My sister and I ……………………… to write home.
30. Last night I took a tablet to stop my tooth aching.
Last night I took a tablet, because …………….. aching.
31. My sister does exercise because she must keep fit to play in the basketball team.
My sister does exercise to ……………… play in the basketball team.
32. If you don‟t stop drinking coffee in the evening, you‟ll never sleep well.
You‟ll never sleep well unless …………… coffee in the evening.
33. People with influenza should stay in bed for a couple of days.
Stay in bed for a couple of days if you ……….. influenza.
34. Smoking isn‟t allowed in pubs in England.
You …………….. in pubs in England.
35. The earliest clocks used the sun‟s shadow to tell the time.
With the earliest clocks, people ………………… the time by using the sun‟s shadow.
36. Modern clocks are more accurate than old fashioned ones were.
Old fashioned clocks weren‟t as …………………… modern ones are.
37. The most famous clocks in the world are made in Switzerland.
In Switzerland, they …………………… the most famous clocks in the world.

38. An alarm clock helps you to wake up early.
An alarm clock is helpful ………………. you need to wake up early.
39. People without watches are often late for appointments.
People without watches are often not ………………….. for appointments.
40. My uncle prefers travelling by car to travelling by plane.
My uncle thinks travelling by car is better ………………….  plane
41. My dad is confused by internet.
Internet …………. my dad.
42. Whose are these glasses?
Who do these glasses ……………… to?
43. When I read for too long, I find it tiring.
I get ……….. when I read for too long.
44. Why don‟t you phone Sam up?
If I were you, ………….. phone Sam up.
45. My father said, “Don‟t burn the toast!”
My father told …………….. burn the toast.
46. Bread is more expensive than last year.
Last year, bread ………….. than it is now.
47. The school phone is often engaged.
It is often …………… phone the school.

48. Susan said, “Why don‟t you go to the shop?”
Susan said, “How …………………… to the shop?”
49. Many shops accept credit cards.
In many shops you …………….. credit card.
50. You can‟t smoke in pubs in England.
Smoking …………………. in pubs in England.
51. My brother has borrowed my bike.
I ……… my brother my bike.
52. He hasn‟t seen a play by Shakespeare before.
This is ……………….. play by Shakespeare he has seen.
53. This play is longer than Shakespeare‟s other plays.
Shakespeare‟s other plays are not …………… this one.
54. How much does the meal cost?
What is ………………. the meal?
55. I hope my brother returns the bike to me soon.
I hope my brother …………………. back my bike soon.
56. Last year wasn‟t as warm as this year.
This year is ……………..…. last year was.

57. How much is it to go scuba diving?
What ………………… to go scuba diving.
58. Do you know who this pen belongs to?
Do you know ………….. pen this is?
59. Sam can swim well.
Sam is …………………. swimming.
60. Running in boots isn‟t easy.
Heavy boots make it ………………. run.
61. A ticket for the football match costs 30 euros.
The cost of a ticket for the match ………… 30 euros.
62. Entrance for league matches is more expensive than for cup matches.
Entrance for cup matches ……………….……… than for league matches.
63. You don‟t have to pay to watch the second team.
You can watch the second team ……………… paying.
64. There are no foreigners in the team now.
The team doesn‟t ………………………. any more.
65. The new bar has been open for a week.
The new bar ……………….. last week.
66. The criminal escaped in a car.
The criminal made …………………. in a car.

67. The teacher said she wouldn‟t punish him this time.
The teacher said she would let …………..…. this time.
68. I didn‟t know it was illegal to smoke in the restaurant..
I didn‟t know it was against ……………. to smoke in a restaurant.
69. Not many people in England speak Chinese.
Not a ………………….. people in England speak Chinese.
70. The bomb exploded late last night.
The bomb went ………… late last night.
71. There weren‟t many people watching the film.
There were only ………. people watching the film.
72. I didn‟t recognize him until he removed his sunglasses.
I didn‟t recognize him until he ………. off his sunglasses.
73. Make sure you have everything before you leave the plane.
Make sure you have everything before you …………. off the plane.
74. Why didn‟t you go to school today.
You should ………….. to school today.
75. It‟s possible that John remembered to turn off the lights.
John might ………………………… to turn off the lights.

76. There was a chance we‟d win the competition, but we didn‟t.
We could ………………….. the competition, but we didn‟t.
77. I didn‟t invite Sarah to the party, and now I regret it.
I ……………………. Sarah to the party.
78. I can‟t wait for Christmas.
I‟m really ………………….. Christmas.
79. I didn‟t see the film because my TV was broken.
I would ………………..  the film if my TV hadn‟t been broken.
80. We‟ve got too few people to make a team.
We haven‟t ……………… people to make a team.
81. I‟ll get fat if I carry on eating a lot.
I‟ll get fat ……………… stop eating a lot.
82. We‟ll have a barbecue this weekend, unless the weather‟s bad.
If the weather‟s bad this weekend, we…………… a barbecue.
83. Loud planes annoy many people.
Many people ……………….. loud planes.
84. They are going to build a new shopping centre here next year.
A new shopping centre is going ……………………here next year.
85. People send billions of emails every day.
Billions of emails ………….. every day.

86. “Can you come tomorrow, Sandra?”
Sandra was asked if she …………….. tomorrow.
87. “Do you have any questions, Bill?”
Bill was asked …………… any questions.
88. Where are you living at the moment?
Can you tell me where …………………. at the moment.
89. Why have you quit your job?
Could you explain …………….. quit your job.
90. What did you say to the headmaster.
I‟d like to know ……………… to the headmaster.
91. Robert apologised for being late.
Robert was ……………….. for being late.
92. I didn‟t like curry at all.
I never ……………….. like curry.
93. Who broke the window?
Who was responsible ………………… the window?
94. If you ask me, footballers get too much money.
In ……………….. footballers get too much money.

95. The programme wasn‟t interesting so I turned off the TV.
I wouldn‟t have turned off the TV if the programme ……………… interesting.
96. We went to class because it was an important lesson.
We wouldn‟t have gone to class if it …………………. an important lesson.
97. You are too young to have a girlfriend.
You are not ………………….. to have a girlfriend.
98. That man‟s dog chased me yesterday.
That‟s the man ……………. chased me yesterday.
99. Car fumes pollute our cities.
Our cities …………………. car fumes.
100. There was too much noise to hear the teacher.
There was ……………… noise that I couldn‟t hear the teacher.











http://www.brays-ingles.com/

improving Writing skills

WRITING
You complete tasks such as: 
 writing notes or a short message of between 35 and 45 words
 writing a story or letter of up to 100 words
 completing exercises involving changing the meaning of sentences


1. COMPARISONS

 ………. more often than ………
 ………. less often than ……….
 ………. as often as …………
 ………. faster than ………..
 ….…… slower than …….
 ………. as fast as ………
 ………. better than …….
 ………. worse than …….
 ………. as good as …….




2. WHEN DID IT HAPPEN
 ……….. before ……….
 ……….. after …………
 ……….. until …………
 ……….. when ………..
 ……….. as soon as ……
 ……….. while …………
 ……….. during ………..


3. EXAMPLE

You have an American penfriend called Pat who asks what your bedroom is like. Write an email to Pat. In the email, you should:
 Tell her how big your room is
 Say what’s in the room
 Explain why you like it

Write 35-45 words


ADVICE
1. Read the instructions carefully and imagine the situation.
2. Make sure you write about all three points in the instructions.
3. Remember to address your message to the person named (eg Dear Pat, Hi Pat,).
4. Don’t forget to write your name at the end.
5. Don’t write less than 35 words or more than 45.
6.  Check what you have written for silly mistakes.




4. REPHRAISING

1. Do you play basketball well?
Are you a …………………… player?

2. Does art interest you?
Are you ………………… art?

3. What is your age?
How ………….. you?

4. Which is your favourite school subject?
Which school subject ………….. like best?

5. How is that spelt?
How do …………….. that?

6. Each lesson lasts forty minutes.
Each lesson …………….. long.

7. What‟s the price of this book, please?
How ………   this book, cost, please?

8. I think Spain is a wonderful country.
Spain is a wonderful country ……… opinion.

9. I think you are right about the weather.
I agree …………. about the weather.

10. I think mobile phones are very useful.
Mobile phones are very useful ……….. opinion.

11. We‟ll talk about the price first.
How ………………… about the price first?

12. Bill is too weak to carry the box.
Bill isn‟t …………. to carry the box.

13. In our school only a few students have curly hair.
In our school, not ………………….. curly hair.

14. My sister prefers milk chocolate to dark chocolate.
My sister likes milk chocolate ………… dark chocolate.

15. In our house, dinner is usually prepared by my father.
In our house, my father …………………. dinner.

16. My father said, „Come home at 10.‟
My father told ………home at 10.

17. Susan asked for paella in the restaurant.
In the restaurant, Susan said, „Can ………… paella, please?‟

18. Mary suggested that we order a pizza.
Mary said, „Let‟s ………………… a pizza.‟

19. Britain is a small island, so everywhere is near to the sea.
Britain is a small island, so nowhere is ………………. the sea.

20. Never go for a long run without taking water with you.
Take water with you, if you‟re ……………… a long run.

21. Look at a map of Africa if you want to find Zimbabwe.
You won‟t find Zimbabwe unless ……………………… a map of Africa.

22. I became a policeman five years ago.
I …………. a  policeman for five years.

23. I came to Spain in 2005.
I …………….. in Spain since 2005.

24. My mother asked me if I wanted an ice-cream.
My mother said, „Would …………. an ice-cream?‟

25. Yesterday a photographer took my photo.
Yesterday my photo ………..…….. a photographer.


LISTENING ( PRACTISE AND PRACTISE)

http://www.eltpodcast.com/archive/bc