WEBSITES FOR LISTENING PRACTICE
http://www.esl-lab.com/
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening-skills-practice
https://www.englishlistening.com/index.php/listen-to-passages/
http://www.5minuteenglish.com/listening.htm
https://www.englishclub.com/listening/dictation.htm
https://edition.englishclub.com/category/listening-news/
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topicsmenu/listening.html
martes, 29 de septiembre de 2015
domingo, 27 de septiembre de 2015
Indirect Questions
What are Indirect Questions?
Direct questions are the “normal” questions that we can ask to friends, family members, and people who we know well.
Example of a direct question:
“Where’s the bathroom?”
Indirect questions are a little more formal and polite. We use them when talking to a person we don’t know very well, or in professional situations, and their form is a little different.
Example of an indirect question:
“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”
“Where’s the bathroom?”
“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?”
Phrases for Indirect Questions
- Could you tell me…
- Do you know…
- I was wondering…
- Do you have any idea…
- I’d like to know…
- Would it be possible…
- Is there any chance…
Direct and Indirect Questions in English: Examples
Direct: Where is Market Street?
Indirect: Could you tell me where Market Street is?
In indirect questions with is/are, the verb (is) comes after the subject (Market Street).
Direct What time does the bank open?
Indirect: Do you know what time the bank opens?
In indirect questions, we don’t use the auxiliary verbs do/does/did. Also, you can see that the verb is “open” in the direct question, and “opens” in the indirect question.
Direct: Why did you move to Europe?
Indirect: I was wondering why you moved to Europe.
Again, there is no auxiliary verb did in the indirect question. In fact, this indirect question isn’t even a question – it’s more of a statement that invites the other person to give more information.
Direct: How has he managed to get in shape so quickly?
Indirect: Do you have any idea how he’s managed to get in shape so quickly?
The auxiliary verbs have and has can be used in both the direct and indirect questions – but in the direct question, “has” comes before the subject (he), and in the indirect question, “has” comes after the subject.
Direct: How much does this motorcycle cost?
Indirect: I’d like to know how much this motorcycle costs.
To form the indirect question, remove does and change “cost” to “costs.”
Direct: Can you finish the project by tomorrow?
Indirect: Would it be possible for you to finish the project by tomorrow?
For direct questions with can, we can use the phrase “would it be possible…” to make it indirect.
Direct: Can we change the meeting to Thursday?
Indirect: Is there any chance we could change the meeting to Thursday?
“Is there any chance…” is another option for forming indirect questions with can.
Yes/No Direct Questions –> “If” in Indirect Questions
If the direct question is a “yes or no” question (it has no question word such as what, who, when, where, why, or how), then the indirect question will have if.
Direct: Does Tom like Italian food?
Indirect: Do you know if Tom likes Italian food?
Direct: Are your parents joining us for dinner?
Indirect: Could you tell me if your parents are joining us for dinner?
Direct: Do they speak English?
Indirect: I was wondering if they speak English.
Direct: Has Barbara ever studied abroad?
Indirect: Do you have any idea if Barbara’s ever studied abroad?
Direct: Do you plan on traveling this summer?
Indirect: I’d like to know if you plan on traveling this summer.
EXERCISES
Indirect: Do you know if Tom likes Italian food?
Indirect: Could you tell me if your parents are joining us for dinner?
Indirect: I was wondering if they speak English.
Indirect: Do you have any idea if Barbara’s ever studied abroad?
Indirect: I’d like to know if you plan on traveling this summer.
Used to
We use 'used to' for something that happened regularly in the past but no longer happens.
- I used to smoke a packet a day but I stopped two years ago.
- Ben used to travel a lot in his job but now, since his promotion, he doesn't.
- I used to drive to work but now I take the bus.
We also use it for something that was true but no longer is.
- There used to be a cinema in the town but now there isn't.
- She used to have really long hair but she's had it all cut off.
- I didn't use to like him but now I do.
'Used to do' is different from 'to be used to doing' and 'to get used to doing'
to be used to doing
We use 'to be used to doing' to say that something is normal, not unusual.
- I'm used to living on my own. I've done it for quite a long time.
- Hans has lived in England for over a year so he is used to driving on the left now.
- They've always lived in hot countries so they aren't used to the cold weather here.
to get used to doing
We use 'to get used to doing' to talk about the process of something becoming normal for us.
- I didn't understand the accent when I first moved here but I quickly got used to it.
- She has started working nights and is still getting used to sleeping during the day.
- I have always lived in the country but now I'm beginning to get used to living in the city.
EXERCISES:
jueves, 24 de septiembre de 2015
Reading
Short Readings from the British Council, you can post comments
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/level/b1-cefr/term
B1 and B2 reading and listening activities from the British Council, you can answer the preparation activity and post comments
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/category/skills-29
Free books
http://www.goodreads.com/ebooks?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sort=popular_books
Self-Study Log
This is an example of how you can report your English practices, either in paper or in your own blog.
This I believe (Listening & Reading Practice)
This website contains thousands of essays. Most are 3 minute audios and some are one page texts. They are personal opinions and believes on differents topics.
Choose one of the themes and the select an essay.
Choose one of the themes and the select an essay.
Question Words
QUESTIONS WORDS
http://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Question_Words.htm
WHO
WHO is only used when referring to people. (= I want to know the person)
- Who is the best football player in the world?
- Who are your best friends?
- Who is that strange guy over there?
WHERE
WHERE is used when referring to a place or location. (= I want to know the place)
- Where is the library?
- Where do you live?
- Where are my shoes?
WHEN
WHEN is used to refer to a time or an occasion. (= I want to know the time)
- When do the shops open?
- When is his birthday?
- When are we going to finish?
WHY
WHY is used to obtain an explanation or a reason. (= I want to know the reason)
- Why do we need a nanny?
- Why are they always late?
- Why does he complain all the time?
Normally the response begins with "Because..."
WHAT
WHAT is used to refer to specific information. (= I want to know the thing)
- What is your name?
- What is her favourite colour?
- What is the time?
WHICH
WHICH is used when a choice needs to be made. (= I want to know the thing between alternatives)
- Which drink did you order – the rum or the beer?
- Which day do you prefer for a meeting – today or tomorrow?
- Which is better - this one or that one?
HOW
HOW is used to describe the manner that something is done. (= I want to know the way)
- How do you cook paella?
- How does he know the answer?
- How can I learn English quickly?
With HOW there are a number of other expressions that are used in questions:
How much – refers to a quantity or a price (uncountable nouns)
- How much time do you have to finish the test?
- How much is the jacket on display in the window?
- How much money will I need?
How many – refers to a quantity (countable nouns)
- How many days are there in April?
- How many people live in this city?
- How many brothers and sister do you have?
How often – refers to frequency
- How often do you visit your grandmother?
- How often does she study?
- How often are you sick?
How far – refers to distance
- How far is the university from your house?
- How far is the bus stop from here?
- https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/wh-question-words.htm
WH Question Words
We use question words to ask certain types of questions (question word questions). We often refer to them as WH words because they include the letters WH (for example WHy, HoW).
| question word | function | example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| what | asking for information about something | What is your name? |
| asking for repetition or confirmation | What? I can't hear you. You did what? | |
| what...for | asking for a reason, asking why | What did you do that for? |
| when | asking about time | When did he leave? |
| where | asking in or at what place or position | Where do they live? |
| which | asking about choice | Which colour do you want? |
| who | asking what or which person or people (subject) | Who opened the door? |
| whom | asking what or which person or people (object) | Whom did you see? |
| whose | asking about ownership | Whose are these keys? Whose turn is it? |
| why | asking for reason, asking what...for | Why do you say that? |
| why don't | making a suggestion | Why don't I help you? |
| how | asking about manner | How does this work? |
| asking about condition or quality | How was your exam? | |
| how + adj/adv | asking about extent or degree | see examples below |
| how far | distance | How far is Pattaya from Bangkok? |
| how long | length (time or space) | How long will it take? |
| how many | quantity (countable) | How many cars are there? |
| how much | quantity (uncountable) | How much money do you have? |
| how old | age | How old are you? |
| how come (informal) | asking for reason, asking why | How come I can't see her? |
EXERCISES
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