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Are you an upper intermediate (CEFR level B2) learner of English? Practise your speaking with these interactive videos.

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Read about this disappearing lake in central Africa, then answer the questions putting either T for true, F for false or NW for "not written in the text".

Rikki Mbaza has a very English name but his part of central Africa is suffering from a problem that few in England would have to put up with: a lack of rain so acute that Rikki's livelihood is literally evaporating away.

"I would love to have the English weather here in Chad. Then the lake would not go away."

Rikki Mbaza lives in the town of Bol near the shores of Lake Chad, a lake that has shrunk by 90% in the last 40 years. A lack of rain is only one of many culprits being blamed for this emerging disaster.

"I am a fisherman. For me, it is like watching my life draining away every day. The fishing is getting worse and worse in the lake. They are getting smaller and I think the fish breeding has been disrupted by the reduction in area and in depth." Lake Chad is only a metre deep in most places.

Rikki struggles now to provide enough food and income for his wife Achta and their four children. Achta has had to take up pottery in her spare time in order to try and boost the amount of money coming into the household every month.

"Our rent doesn't go down with the level of the lake unfortunately," Mbaza complains. "We still have six mouths to feed but I need assistance from the government. They have left me to fend for myself in a desperate situation."

While one can understand Rikki Mbaza's frustration with his government, his accusatory tone is perhaps a little unfair. The Chad government has often seemed like a powerless, rudderless boat caught in the storm of international politics.

Angela Muscovite at the Center For African Politics at UCLA sees little reason for optimism in the case of the shrinking lake in the African heartland. "The story of Chad Lake is a modern day environmental tragedy. This is a body of water that, in 1960 was over 25,000 km2 in size - now it's less than 10% of that."

"It has been so over-exploited and it is an issue the whole international community, obviously more so those governments in Africa, need to co-operate on to find a resolution. And that isn't going to happen any time soon. By the time it does, they'll be arguing over a puddle in the middle of the desert. It's sad but that's how I see things panning out."

The guilty parties, as so often in these cases, blame each other for the problems that now beset the lake. Charlie Vaughan, who teaches Environmental Science at Cambridge University in Britain, explains why the lake is going the way of the Dodo. "The main culprit is geography funnily enough. Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon all lay claim to the waters of this lake and you only need a five metre shoreline to be able to extract water from it. The whole area has been a target for massive irrigation schemes over the last couple of decades with each country's agricultural ministry blaming the other three for the problems. In an area with plentiful rainfall, it wouldn't be so much of a problem. This is a dry area."

None of this gesturing and buck-passing will help Rikki, Achta and their four children in the near future. "I am learning how to fix cars. I don't think cars will be disappearing soon and will certainly last longer than this lake will," muses the glum-looking fisherman. "There won't be any more fishermen in this area in ten years." And with that, he says he has to go and study how to remove and repair brake pads.

Where Now?

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Intermediate Reading | The Shrinking Lake | esl-lounge Student

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In this page you can find various blogs and articles that are related to this topic: Types Of Commodities

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Listen to the speakers and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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The alcohol-free month challenge - B1+ English Reading test - Test-English

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Get reading practice with this English comprehension test about a Tradition for upper-intermediate students. Answers with feedback included!

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A list of the irregular verbs in English with their past simple and past participle with a search bar

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Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character who has become an icon for the Walt Disney Company. Mickey Mouse is short for Mitchell Mouse. It was created in 1928 by

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Sir Richard Branson - The Interview | The Gentleman’s Journal | The latest in style and grooming, food and drink, business, lifestyle, culture, sports, restaurants, nightlife, travel and power.

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Sir Richard Branson is one of the most inspirational individuals on the planet, not just in business, but on global warming, charity and even space travel. Here we interviewed him on the first million, young people starting a business, the highs and lows, the fight against global warming and the future.

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B2 Reading Test

You are going to read a text about toxic relationships. For questions 1-6, choose the correct answer.

Am I in a toxic relationship?

A toxic relationship is one that undermines your well-being-emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes even physically. These relationships can exist in various contexts, from friendships to romantic partnerships, and even within families. It is characterised by behaviours that leave you feeling unsupported, misunderstood, demeaned, or attacked. Basically, it is an interrelationship where the bad consistently outweighs the good, and your overall welfare is threatened. Identifying toxic dynamics early is crucial. The longer you stay in such a relationship, the more it can impact your mental and emotional health.

Recognizing toxicity allows you to take steps to protect yourself and seek healthier connections. Physical or verbal abuse is a clear sign of toxicity, but psychological abuse is not as obvious. Alongside persistent criticism and attempts to isolate you from loved ones, constantly being blamed and made to feel guilty about your or somebody else's actions are behaviours to watch out for. According to many, however, what makes toxicity apparent in a relationship are frequent situations of consistent disrespect, where you don't feel appreciated or are even insulted.

Toxic relationships can have far-reaching consequences on the victim's well-being on a mental and physical level. Living in these emotionally unhealthy conditions leads to a steady decrease in self-worth and self-esteem. Lacking energy after interactions and experiencing depression, anger, or tiredness are only some of the negative effects that such relationships can have on an individual. Physically, the stress and anxiety stemming from toxic dynamics can lead to a range of health issues, including digestive issues, weakened immune function, and sleep disturbances.

The list of toxic behaviours is long, but the most damaging patterns in a relationship can be categorised depending on the type of effect these behaviours can have on others. One of these categories is 'behavioural
control', which includes strategies employed by individuals to influence and dominate others to achieve personal gain. This can be obtained either through controlling and forceful measures, such as aggressive behaviours, or through subtly shaping the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of others by lying or bending the truth. This is a form of manipulation - known as gaslighting - in which facts are changed or withheld to suit the toxic person's interest, causing you to question your own senses and thoughts.

Another category of toxic behaviours is 'emotional impact', which is determined by how individuals experience and react to emotional signals, whether they be positive or negative. It refers to the effects of emotional experiences on thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, which can range from positive emotions like happiness to negative ones like sadness or fear. This category is relevant especially for those who deal with past traumas or insecurities. These individuals are considered vulnerable as they may struggle to set limits, express needs, or protect themselves from harm, making them more prone to exploitation by others. Identifying and dealing with your weaknesses is a good starting point to build up your ability to bounce back emotionally.

In today's interconnected world, it's essential to recognise that toxic behaviour isn't limited to face-to-face interactions but can occur through digital mediums, affecting mental and emotional health just as profoundly. In the virtual world, where cyberbullying, online harassment, and forceful control through technology are some of the toxic tactics that thrive on popular digital communication platforms, establishing personal space and addressing red flags as they occur might not be enough to protect yourself against all forms of toxicity. Being mindful of online content, verifying information before accepting it as truth, and curating online spaces to prioritise positivity and healthy interactions can help limit exposure to toxic content.

Take the reading test.

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Am I in a toxic relationship? - B2 English reading test - Test-English

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Improve your English reading skills with our B2 pre-advanced comprehension test about relationships. Feedback is included for every answer!

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A man was living with his aunt, and he collected books , old books ,

They were decorating house and they needed furniture and the aunt was asking him questions what kind of furniture will arrive from London

She asked about curtains , and the man said he sorry but he went to a bookshop ,and there was a book , ..old book , the aunt pick it up and she was looking through the book, found a drawing , she like it and they decided to copy it and print on curtains .

The print shop told the man the the picture is very strange and bad , but he said ...no ,no , we want this

Then they hang the curtains and it was a feeling like someone is watching him , like someone is in the room with him, then he woke up and he thought it was his dog next to him, so much hair ,no eyes , no mouth , just hair , he was terrified , he was frightened ,he was scared. He ran out and later he found out the story behind the picture ,

Some crazy student was very arrogant and from a very important family , so no-one said anything to him , he could do anything ..

One day he was found dead in his room , and with his long  curly hair cut off , next day  he disappeared , only hair was on the floor and his father kept the hair , his father ordered the drawing , as a memory , this drawing was in the book

In this house , the man decided to burn all the curtains   because the story is evil

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7 steps to describe your job descriptions

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Job descriptions are used to centralize tasks and skills. Discover 7 steps for writing your job descriptions.

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Ash tree:

Mathew , who died and this happened after he hanged an old woman because he thought she was a witch .

She fought and shouted “ there will be visitors”

Strange animals seen around the tree , more than four legs...

Then .....he died mysteriously , his body was dead and black , no wounds , no injuries...

Later his grandson was spending a lot of money decorating and rebuilding, he cancelled some graves and the grave of Mrs Mothersole was empty , this was a surprise for everyone

when he opened the room where his grand father died.

He decided to move into the room but he had a visitor , read the bible just like his grandfather , ...

1 cut it down =grandfather

2 you will be looking for me but I will not be here

Next morning he was not there he was outside and dead and black

Everyone said lets cut the tree that was hollow , gardener , was terrified , as he fell down from the ladder , fire started, many spiders run out and people kill them with sticks , the tree burn down. Inside was the body of Mrs Mothersole.

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B1 Reading Test

Read a text about accomodation, and for questions 1 to 10, choose true or false.

SpeedFlatmating

When you are looking for rental accommodation in a shared house, you have to think not only about the location and your budget, but also about who you are sharing with, as your housemates can make the difference between a successful or an unhappy house-share.

SpeedFlatmating is a perfect way to find the ideal house or flatmate. SpeedFlatmating events, which are organised by the website speedflatmating.co.uk, are mainly held in London. However, some events are held in other British towns and cities. They typically take place in a bar or pub. At these events, people looking for accommodation can meet people with available rooms, or other people on the lookout for accommodation who they can rent a place with.

On arrival at a SpeedFlatmating event, guests are given a sticker to wear. White stickers indicate that you have an available room. Pink stickers are for people who are looking for a room. On white stickers, people write their name, the rental cost of the room and its nearest tube station. On pink stickers, people write their name, their budget and the area where they want to live.

The website organises about 17 events per month in London. Their larger events cover the whole of central London and are geared towards people who are flexible about where they want to live. They also run local events for people who already know where they want to live.

Users enjoy SpeedFlatmating for various reasons. Firstly, it cuts out the long, boring process of advertising and showing people around a flat. Also, potential flatmates can get to meet each other in a relaxed, social setting and find out whether they would be a good match for a flatshare or not. As well as meeting potential flatmates, many people say they enjoy the friendly atmosphere and make new friends at the events.

A huge number of people have benefitted from SpeedFlatmating. Paul from London says, 'I had been having problems finding a place to live in London because I'm in my forties. Most people sharing accommodation in London are in their twenties and thirties, and I didn't really fit in. I went to a SpeedFlatmating event and met three other people in the same situation as me, so we decided to get together and rent a place. Within a week, we had found a place within our budget.'

Melissa says, 'I was just starting to think about moving out of my parents' home, and SpeedFlatmating seemed like a good way to find out more. I was quite nervous about attending the event on my own, but when I got there, I realised that everyone else was nervous too, and so I was able to relax, enjoy myself and meet people. I met a landlord there who was looking for tenants, and I arranged to have a look round his house. I'm moving in next week! It was as simple as that!'

Reading comprehension test

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SpeedFlatmating (Accommodation) - B1 English reading test - Test-English

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English B1 reading comprehension test for intermediate students (CEFR B1). Read a text about accommodation and answer the questions.

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Weak ties: the power of acquaintances - B2 English reading test - Test-English

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Boost your English reading skills with our B2 pre-advanced comprehension test about relationships. Answers are included!

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Listen to a consultant talking about the basic stages of the change process and the people in a change management team.

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The importance of friends

Friends come in all shapes and sizes. They may be someone we met as a child, a classmate at school, someone we met at work or through other friends. They may be friends who live at a distance in another country or virtual friends we've made online. Whoever they are, however we met them, there is a special connection based on a shared history and interests, enjoying doing things together or simply talking and understanding each other. Friends are there to help us at difficult times and to celebrate the good times. Doctors say that friends are very important for both our physical and mental health at all stages in life.

Declaring an international Friendship Day

But friends are not only important on an individual level. Friendship can also be important on a global level. Friendships that cross borders can help bring peace and avoid war. Learning to think of other people, people who are different from us, as our friends helps us work together to build a culture of peace. That's why the UN declared 30 July as its official International Day of Friendship.

The origins of the day

An international celebration was first suggested by the World Friendship Crusade. This organisation was founded by Dr Ramón Artemio Bracho and his friends in Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay, in 1958. They wanted to support the power of friendship and its importance in creating a culture of peace. So, in the same year, they decided to celebrate Friendship Week in Puerto Pinasco and other places in Paraguay. The following year, they repeated the week and finished on 30 July, which they declared as Friendship Day. From there, celebrations of friendship grew and spread across the Americas, then the world, and eventually the UN declared an International Day of Friendship in 2011.

Friendship Days around the world

The International Day of Friendship on 30 July is not the only day celebrating friendship around the world. A number of countries, such as Paraguay, also celebrate on 30 July, but other countries have different dates. For example, Argentina, Brazil and Spain celebrate Friend's Day on 20 July, while in India and the US, they celebrate it on the first Sunday in August. In Finland and Estonia, Friendship Day is celebrated on the same day as Valentine's Day, 14 February.

What do people do on the International Day of Friendship?

Wherever it's celebrated, the celebrations are very similar. Friends meet up to spend time together. They may eat out or have a meal at home. They give each other small gifts: books, flowers, simple jewellery such as a friendship band (a simple bracelet). Some people send each other cards and greetings online. Whatever form the celebration takes, the spirit is the same - to remember the importance of friends and the power of friendship.

Discussion

Language level

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July 30 is the United Nations International Day of Friendship. Read about the importance of friendship and find out why the UN decided to give it a special day.

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Henry the Cat Detective is a short story for English learners. Here you can learn English through stories and practice listening to English at the same time.

Are you ready? Let's start!

Video

Story

Henry the cat is a detective. He is the best detective in town, and he knows it. One day, a woman comes to his house with a mystery for him to solve.

Her cat went missing, and she needs Henry's help to find him! Henry is always happy to help. But he is not happy to show it...

He yawns and stretches as the woman starts talking, looking disinterested. But as she describes her missing cat, Henry's ears perk up and he leans in, suddenly interested.

The woman mentions that her cat, Mr. Parker, went missing exactly after she saw a gray cat in her backyard. Henry knows only one gray cat in the neighborhood, and that's his worst enemy, Simon the cat. Could Simon have something to do with this mystery?

Henry tells the woman he'll take on the case. The woman wipes a tear from her eye, relieved, and gives Henry a warm smile. Henry may not show it, but he's actually quite excited to solve this mystery.

He immediately sets off to Simon's house. He knows that Simon is up to something - he can just feel it. And sure enough, when he gets there, he finds Simon hiding in the bushes, with an incriminating piece of evidence - an orange cat fur, just like Mr. Parker's!

"Gotcha!" Henry says, triumphantly. Simon looks at Henry, and barely moves a muscle, but there is no guilt in his eyes. "That's odd!" Henry thinks to himself. He can tell that Simon is hiding something. But what?

"Where is Mr. Parker?" he asks Simon.

"Safe and sound," Simon says casually. "He's in my garden by the pool!"

"What exactly are you hiding? I can see it in your eyes."

"I'm not hiding anything," Simon says, trying to sound convincing.

"Oh really?" Henry says, stepping closer to Simon. "Because I think you are. Now tell me what's going on, or I'll tell everyone about your little secret."

Although Henry is unaware of any secrets Simon may have, he takes a chance and it ends up working!

"Ok, ok! I'll tell you," Simon says, defeated. "I saw Mr. Parker trying to catch a fish and I knew he would never be able to do it. So I helped him."

"Helped him how?" Henry asks, looking confused for the first time.

"I showed him how to fish," Simon says, with a small smile. Then he explains further: "I've been teaching all the cats in the neighborhood how to fish. It's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to get food! The other cats completed their training and went home. Mr. Parker, on the other hand, was extremely diligent. He refused to go home until he caught his first fish by himself. So I let him stay in my garden. It has a pool full of fish for him to practice."

Henry is surprised. He had no idea that Simon was such a cool cat! He thanks Simon for his help, and the two of them part ways as friends.

Henry informs the woman that her cat is safe and sound, and even learning how to fish. She is overjoyed, and Henry feels happy to have solved another mystery. He is pleased to continue his role as the town's cat detective.

He knows that he can always count on himself to be the best detective around. "Everyone is so lucky to have me..." Henry thinks to himself as he sighs and falls asleep.

THE END

Practice

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English Short Story: Henry the Cat Detective | Really Learn English

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Henry the Cat Detective is a short story for English learners. Here you can learn English through stories and practice listening to English at the same time. Are you ready? Let's start! Table of Contents VideoStoryPractice Video Story Henry the cat is a detective. He is the best detective in town, and he knows it.

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Coaching is about making positive changes in your life. A coach helps you identify your goals and become your own expert in how to achieve them.

Coaching is a useful tool in today's challenging world of business. Companies are merging and restructuring and people change jobs far more than before. Our work has changed and we might feel less prepared or demotivated, unsure if what we have been doing is the right way forward. So we might consider hiring a professional business coach to help us get where we want to be and feel happier at work.

A coach is sometimes compared to a mentor and a consultant. However, unlike having a mentor, working with a coach is normally for a short, specified amount of time. A coach is also quite different to a consultant, who looks at the whole team or company and how it does things. In addition, mentors and consultants often give advice - something a coach doesn't normally do.

So what does a coach do? Here are five things.

1. A coach allows the individual to determine the direction of their conversation.

When the coachee meets the coach for a session, the coach doesn't come with a fixed plan. It is the individual that leads the conversation; the coach observes and listens. As the coach starts to understand the individual's context, they might ask more questions and talk about their observations. This helps the individual see the situation clearly, as if the coach is holding up a mirror.

2. A coach helps the coachee to identify goals and prioritise them.

Before we can decide on our path to development, we need to first understand what our desired destination might be. A coach can help the individual link their business goals with their personal plans and dreams. And in doing so, they can improve motivation and focus. The coach then helps the individual identify the practical steps they need to take.

3. A coach asks questions to guide the individual and help them understand the issues they're facing.

By asking the right questions, a coach can help the individual to focus the conversation and truly explore the relevant issues. However, a good coach does not ask leading questions that suggest a particular answer, for example, Do you think x might be a better idea? or How do you feel about doing it this way instead? Good coaching questions do not tell the coachee what to do. Instead, they help them to reflect, see things clearly and discover their own way forward. A coach might ask, for example, What is your biggest challenge at the moment? What would be a successful outcome for you here? or What could you do now that would be a step forward?

4. A coach notices the emotions behind the issues and helps the individual understand them.

In a coaching conversation, hidden emotions often come to the surface. A good coach would help the individual become aware of their emotions and allow them to explore their feelings when needed.

5. A coach guides the individual to move forward, taking them from where they are now to where they want to be.

Many coaches set the coachee tasks to complete in between sessions. Over a series of sessions, the coach helps motivate the coachee to follow steps towards success, tracks the coachee's progress and keeps them focused on the end goal. The coach does not do the work for the coachee, nor do they advise them. They act as a guide to help the individual find the appropriate strategies in reaching their goals.

There are many benefits to employing an external business coach, like their objectivity and fresh perspective. But business leaders and managers have also discovered that if they acquire coaching skills themselves, this can help them improve the performance of their teams. Managers are now taking coaching training in order to have internal coaching conversations with team members who might be having difficulties, and many are now seeing the power of coaching as a way to help their businesses grow and ensure their staff are happy and motivated.

Discussion

Language level

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Coaching helps a person make positive changes in their life. Read about how a coach can help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential.

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History of Electrical Muscle Stimulation | Bodybuzz

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Learn history of electrical muscle stimulation and its use in medicine. We’ll look at EMS from ancient times to today and how it’s helped.

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This is a detective story for medium-level-English students. You can read it just for fun and try and solve the mystery, but you can also then go on to do the accompanying vocabulary and writing quizzes.

Click or tap on words in bold characters to check the meaning.

At 11:22 p.m. on January 7, 1999, Ms. Jane Webb called the Toronto police to report a suicide. At 11:34 a police car pulled up in front of her house, a small bungalow on a very quiet street, and two policemen got out of the car. Ms. Webb was waiting for them at the door, dressed in a warm coat to protect herself against the cold. She pointed to the house next door, on her right, and accompanied the policemen to the front door of this house.

To the policemen's surprise, the door was partly open. They entered the house and Ms. Webb directed the policemen to the study, which was down the corridor, on the right. The door of the study was also open, and they could see a man's body on the floor near the desk. They realized immediately that he was dead. There was a small round hole in his forehead, just above his right eye, and a gun lay on the floor next to his right hand.

The policemen looked around but did not touch anything. They then left the room and told Ms. Webb to follow them outside. One of the policemen told her that she was a very important witness and asked her to stay in the house until someone came to interview her. He then called the homicide division and gave them the address.

Inspector Coderre and a team of experts arrived fifteen minutes later. The investigation began at once and Inspector Coderre checked every room in the house before he was satisfied.

It was almost 2 a.m. when he finally rang the doorbell at Ms. Webb's home and asked to speak to her. She offered him a cup of coffee which he gratefully accepted. He sat down at the kitchen table and while the coffee was brewing, she told him what had happened.

"I was sitting in this very room, drinking a cup of cocoa like I do every night before I go to bed. Suddenly, the light came on in Mr. James's study and through the window I saw him enter the room and walk over to his desk. Look! You can see the study from here and you can see everything that is happening inside." Inspector Coderre stared out of the kitchen window and realized that she was absolutely right. The study was well lit and he could see his colleagues move around inside as they continued their investigation.

Ms. Webb continued with her story. "I saw Mr. James open a drawer of the desk and take out a gun. I was so shocked I didn't react at first. As I looked, I saw him point the gun at his head and pull the trigger."

She was obviously upset but she continued her account of the terrible event. "As you can imagine, I was in shock, but I realized that I had to do something, although I knew deep down that it was too late." "So what did you do?" asked the inspector. "I ran over to his house and I checked the front door. It was locked. I tried the back door. It too was locked. I went around the house and checked all the windows. They were all locked. So I took a stone and broke a basement window and climbed in. It was stupid under the circumstances, but I didn't want to break any of the big windows."

The inspector was very sympathetic and told her that it was very natural to not want to damage somebody's property. "We noticed the broken window. It was very small. You're lucky you didn't cut yourself as you climbed through it." Ms. Webb nodded in agreement and continued her story. "I was in this very dark basement, but since our houses are very similar I quickly found the light switch. Then I went up the stairs to the main floor. I rushed immediately to the study and I didn't hesitate. I opened the door, switched on the light and ran to the body to see if I could do anything for Mr. James. Of course, as you saw, there was nothing I could do for him. Then I left the house by the front door and came over here to call the police. I left the front door partly open so they could just walk in and see what had happened."

Now that she had finished her story, she began to tremble. "I'm sorry," she explained, "You see, he was more than a good neighbor to me. He was also my boss. I work at his company as his accountant, and I know there was a reason for his despair. The company was going bankrupt, and I feel responsible for his suicide because I was the one who gave him the bad news, just this morning, in fact."

The inspector looked at her but there was little sympathy in his eyes. He got up from his chair and headed towards the front door. As he was picking up his overcoat, he turned to her and said, in a very cold voice, "I think you will have to come down to police headquarters with me. There are a few small details that don't seem to make sense."

Why isn't Inspector Coderre satisfied with Ms. Webb's version of the event?

Back to top If this page is in a new tab or window, close it. If not, click or tap here.

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Explaining common errors in English, based on ESL Blues quizzes. Content is my own.

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This is a detective story for medium-level-English students. You can read it just for fun and try and solve the mystery, but you can also then go on to do the accompanying vocabulary and writing quizzes. Click or tap on words in bold characters to check the meaning. At 11:22 p.m.

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Welcome to the home of the future – B1 English reading test - Test-English

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English B1 reading comprehension test for intermediate students (CEFR B1). Read a text about housing and answer the questions.

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B1 Reading Test

Read the text about the Statue of Liberty, and for questions 1 to 10, choose the correct answers.

The arm of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is probably the most famous icon of the USA. It was built to celebrate the end of slavery, and later became a symbol for freedom among immigrants. The statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. And the torch she carries high above her outstretched arm represents a light that guides people along the path to freedom. Interestingly, however, Liberty looks different from the way the designer first intended.

The idea for the statue came from a poet, Édouard de Laboulaye. When the American Civil war ended, he wanted to commemorate the end of the slave trade with a gift. He and other people who opposed slavery raised money and hired a sculptor, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, to design the statue. Bartholdi later employed the French engineer, Gustave Eiffel, to devise its structure. Eiffel, who would subsequently build the famous tower in Paris, was already a well-known designer of railway bridges. So he knew how to build robust structures that are flexible and safe in strong winds. This feature was necessary because the winds in New York harbor are extremely strong. Today, the top of her torch swings over 15cm when the wind is blowing at 50 miles per hour.

Eiffel designed the statue to be built around a massive metal skeleton, similar to the Eiffel tower. Huge pieces of copper were fixed onto this to form its shape. Until recently, two copies of the plans were believed to exist. But recently, a third copy was discovered, which revealed some interesting information. In 2018, a map dealer bought some historic papers at an auction in Paris, which included original plans, calculations, and drawings of the statue. At first, the documents were too fragile to read. But after special treatment, the papers clearly showed that Eiffel's plans had been changed by Bartholdi with red ink. Liberty's arm, which was thick and vertical in Eiffel's drawing, was adjusted to be slimmer, less upright, and generally more attractive than Eiffels' design.

The changes in the plans are dated July 28, 1882, after the construction of the tower had begun. We don't know what Eiffel thought of Bartholdi's changes. By then, Eiffel was working on other projects, and only his assistants were working with Bartholdi in New York. Maybe Bartholdi thought he could make the changes because Eiffel was not there and would not complain.

However, the changes made the arm not only more attractive but also weaker, which has created problems over the years. At first, visitors could climb a ladder to the torch in Liberty's arm, but in 1916, there was an explosion on a nearby island. It damaged the statue and made it unsafe, and the stairway to the torch has been closed ever since. During restoration work in the 1980s, engineers noticed that the structure inside Liberty's head, shoulders, and arm were different from how they were shown on Eiffel's plans. They thought that the builders had made mistakes, but some historians believed that Bartholdi had changed Eiffel's design. The newly discovered papers confirm those theories.

Reading comprehension test

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The arm of Liberty - B1 English reading test - Test-English

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English B1 reading comprehension test for intermediate students (CEFR B1). Read a text about American history and answer the questions.

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Listen to the speakers describing their favourite things and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

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Check unknown vocabulary before you read the text:

FLEX YOUR FUNNY BONE

Looking for something to smile about at work? How about this: Flexing your funny bone can significantly enhance your professional prospects. Ninety-one percent of executives surveyed by Robert Half International consider a sense of humor important to career advancement.

Consider the following real-life office pranks from a Robert Half survey that asked executives to describe the funniest April Fools' jokes they have observed in an office environment:

"Someone frosted a cookie with children's toothpaste and offered it to a co-worker." "A couple of employees cleaned out everything from another person's office." "One person's colleagues loaded his office with sand and beach toys." "We put tape underneath a colleague's mouse so he couldn't move it." "We turned everything backward in one person's office -- the computer, desk and pictures." "Someone changed the keys on my keyboard." "We filled a colleague's office with balloons."

Displaying levity on the job can help you build rapport with those around you, facilitate open communication, and contribute to a positive work environment. And, perhaps most importantly, a comic touch can work to relieve tension on even the most stressful days.

But keep in mind that not all high jinks are well received. It's crucial to take into consideration your organization's and co-workers' perspectives when it comes to comic relief. Humor should be work appropriate and never mean spirited or at the expense of others.

Here are some tips to ensure you're not an April Fool:

Say no to sarcasm

People often use humor as an indirect way of berating others. Here's an example: "I can't believe you're here on time -- what's the occasion?" Sarcasm is rarely a good idea, so keep these types of comments to yourself.

Be the butt of your own joke

Go ahead, poke fun at your foibles. Doing so can put others at ease in your presence, and you don't risk offending someone else by making him or her the target of your joke. For example, if you trip while giving a presentation, a comment like, "I hope you're as head over heels about this idea as I am" can help ease any awkwardness. Just be sure to keep your comments light; you don't want your co-workers to think your attempt at humor is a cry for help.

Laugh with others

You can be perceived as having a great sense of humor without ever telling a joke. Just tune in to the humor styles of those around you and share in the fun.

Create a 'funny file'

You have files for various projects or committees you're involved in, so how about developing a "funny file," as well? Create a folder filled with appropriate workplace cartoons, amusing newspaper articles, humorous letters or e-mails from friends, or anything else that tickles your funny bone. The next time one of your co-workers feels overwhelmed or under the weather, you can surprise him or her with a snippet from your file. Just be mindful to avoid items that are offensive or otherwise in poor taste.

Convene a fun committee

Invite co-workers to join in your quest to "up the office fun factor." Together, brainstorm ways to add excitement to the workweek -- surprising co-workers with breakfast or treating the team to an afternoon at the park, for instance. Just be sure to consult your department head before executing any plans; you'll want to obtain his or her approval and determine other details, such as budget and scheduling.

Issue trivia quizzes

What did Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes name their baby? From which state did the last "American Idol" hail? Most people enjoy keeping up with pop culture, so why not create a friendly competition around it? You also can grill people on sports, geography or food -- whatever topics the team finds interesting. Even if the only prize for answering the most questions correctly is posting the name of the winner in a prominent spot, the joy of conjuring up random information and discussing the " stumpers" can increase the general playfulness of any work area.

Capture Kodak moments

Keep a disposable camera on hand for all to use to capture those moments when you and your colleagues are at your best -- or worst. Then, post the pictures on a community bulletin board. A candid snapshot from the day everyone unintentionally wore lime-green shirts, for example, is bound to brighten the mood.

A culture of fun at work can improve communication, reduce stress and increase productivity. So don't be afraid to flex your funny bone -- just be sure to do so in a business-appropriate way.
Download the audio file in MP3 format (3418 kB)

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English language e-learning - your opportunity to efficiently study English anywhere, anytime. Business English, FCE/CAE Exam Preparation, Study Hall, Grammar Game.

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You have read about Romulus and Remus whose culture shock came when they went back to the world of human beings after being raised by a wolf. Tarzan's culture shock came when he discovered that he was not a "white ape" but a human being. Emily Carr preferred the culture of the First Nations people and the life she led on her explorations to the dresses and polite conversations of her own culture. You now know that First Nations culture did not include school or even business activity, people spent most of their time in nature or around the fire of their home talking, telling stories and making the things they needed to survive.

Psychologists tell us that there are four basic stages that human beings pass through when they enter and live in a new culture. This process, which helps us to deal with culture shock, is the way our brain and our personality reacts to the strange new things we encounter when we move from one culture to another. If our culture involves bowing when we greet someone, we may feel very uncomfortable in a culture that does not involve bowing. If the language we use when talking to someone in our own culture is influenced by levels of formality based on the other person's age and status, it may be difficult for us to feel comfortable communicating with people in the new culture.

Culture begins with the "honeymoon stage". This is the period of time when we first arrive in which everything about the new culture is strange and exciting. We may be suffering from "jet lag" but we are thrilled to be in the new environment, seeing new sights, hearing new sounds and language, eating new kinds of food. This honeymoon stage can last for quite a long time because we feel we are involved in some kind of great adventure.

Unfortunately, the second stage of culture shock can be more difficult. After we have settled down into our new life, working or studying, buying groceries, doing laundry, or living with a home-stay family, we can become very tired and begin to miss our homeland and our family, girlfriend/boyfriend, pets. All the little problems that everybody in life has seem to be much bigger and more disturbing when you face them in a foreign culture. This period of cultural adjustment can be very difficult and lead to the new arrival rejecting or pulling away from the new culture. This "rejection stage" can be quite dangerous because the visitor may develop unhealthy habits (smoking and drinking too much, being too concerned over food or contact with people from the new culture). This can, unfortunately lead to the person getting sick or developing skin infections or rashes which then makes the person feel even more scared and confused and helpless. This stage is considered a crisis in the process of cultural adjustment and many people choose to go back to their homeland or spend all their time with people from their own culture speaking their native language.

The third stage of culture shock is called the "adjustment stage". This is when you begin to realize that things are not so bad in the host culture. Your sense of humour usually becomes stronger and you realize that you are becoming stronger by learning to take care of yourself in the new place. Things are still difficult, but you are now a survivor!

The fourth stage can be called "at ease at last". Now you feel quite comfortable in your new surroundings. You can cope with most problems that occur. You may still have problems with the language, but you know you are strong enough to deal with them. If you meet someone from your country who has just arrived, you can be the expert on life in the new culture and help them to deal with their culture shock.

There is a fifth stage of culture shock which many people don't know about. This is called "reverse culture shock". Surprisingly, this occurs when you go back to your native culture and find that you have changed and that things there have changed while you have been away. Now you feel a little uncomfortable back home. Life is a struggle!

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You have read about Romulus and Remus whose culture shock came when they went back to the world of human beings after being raised by a wolf. Tarzan's culture shock came when he discovered that he was not a "white ape" but a human being.

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Kate looked around the room at the other people: ten men and ten women all around the same age.

'Thank you for coming today and offering your time to help with our research! Limeren, the medicine we're testing, is in the final stage of testing. Previous human trials have shown us that Limeren is completely safe ...'

Kate stopped paying attention. She'd read the information the medical research company had sent her, so she knew that Limeren had already been approved for sale and that they were not testing to see if there were side effects. She didn't know any of the other people in the group. She guessed that none of them had jobs either or they wouldn't be earning money by testing medicine. But otherwise it was impossible to know if she had anything in common with any of them. She hoped so, or four days in the research centre would feel like a very long time.

'... as side effects, we know that some people experience stronger emotions and a feeling of general happiness,' the head researcher said. 'We'll be interviewing each of you and doing tests during the day and night. So if you can all sign the forms, we can start.'

Kate signed her form without reading the information. Hopefully, this was going to be a very easy way to make money.

'I hope the food's better than last time,' said the guy sitting next to her as he gave in his form.

Kate smiled.

'I'm Michael.'

'Kate,' she said. 'Have you been here before?'

'I do these trials as often as they'll let me!' He laughed. 'It's such an easy way to make money!'

She smiled back. Here was someone she had something in common with.

...

A few hours later, Kate was eating dinner. She had taken her second Limeren tablet before dinner. She was feeling really relaxed. Maybe it was the vitamins, or maybe it was just because she had so much free time and there was nothing she needed to do. There were books to read, films to watch and even board games and puzzles. At home, she had to send out job applications. Or she had to go to stressful job interviews. After more than twenty applications she still didn't have a job.

She looked up and saw Michael smiling at her. 'Do you want to play a board game?' he asked. His eyes were really dark brown, Kate thought. She hadn't noticed that earlier. She felt her cheeks go red. 'Sure,' she replied. 'But I like to win,' she warned.

'Perfect,' he said. 'Me too!'

Was it her imagination or did his cheeks look a bit pink too?

...

For the next two days, Kate and Michael spent hours and hours playing games, chatting and watching films.

'I feel as if I've known you for months, not days,' she said. She already knew he lived nearby, that he was a student studying for his PhD and that he had dimples in his cheeks when he smiled and a cute way of putting a pen behind his ear when he was reading. She wasn't sure, but she thought he was trying to sit next to her for meals and spend time with her whenever he could. Or maybe she was the one who was always looking for him.

'So, do you think you're feeling any side effects?' he asked her one evening. They were sitting on the sofa, watching a film. Michael's knee was almost touching her leg, and if his hand moved just a little, it would be touching hers. Her heart beat faster and all she could think about was being near enough for his skin to touch hers. Her face was red again, she knew it.

'Any what?' she asked, trying to concentrate on their conversation instead.

'The side effects of Limeren that they told us about at the presentation,' he said, moving his hand away. Her skin immediately felt cold, as if his hand had been making the air between them warm.

'Oh, I wasn't really listening,' she said. 'We still get paid anyway, don't we?'

And then he did it. He moved his hand so that it covered hers. A nice feeling travelled all the way through her fingers and across her skin. She turned her hand over and held his hand. He smiled and moved his face towards hers.

'Can everyone come and get their next Limeren, please?' called a nurse. Michael dropped her hand and followed the rest of the group to the nurse's room. Kate couldn't remember ever feeling so happy.

...

'Thank you everyone for taking part. You're now free to go,' the head researcher said the next morning as the trial ended. 'Any side effects will disappear over the next few days. If you have felt any strong feelings, and happiness, those feelings will decrease. Fortunately, we don't expect anyone to become depressed. However, we will keep in touch with all of you in the next few days to make sure everything is fine.'

'We can have our first date now,' Michael said to Kate. 'Breakfast?'

Over breakfast, they talked and talked. Kate knew she was in love. It was stupid, but it was true. Michael said it first.

'I can't believe I met you. I've never felt like this about anyone before.'

'This does feel amazing,' Kate said. But she had been worried about something since the beginning of the trial. She hadn't wanted to think about it but now she had to ask him a serious question.

'You don't think ...?'

'What?'

'What if it's the Limeren making us feel like this? What was it he said about strong feelings?'

'There's only one way to find out!' he said. 'If you don't want to be my girlfriend any more after a few days, we'll know it was just the Limeren.'

She smiled at the word 'girlfriend.' 'Maybe your side effects will go away first!'

'Maybe!' He laughed. 'But I don't think so. This feels real to me.'

'Me too,' she said.

...

Four months later

A few months later, Kate was thinking about the beginning of their relationship. She had to admit, nothing could ever be as perfect as those first days together. Real life had to start again. She got a job a few days after the trial ended. Michael went back to the library and his books and research projects. She didn't have to worry about money any more but they could no longer spend all day, every day together. They were no longer at that exciting stage of falling in love. But they saw each other when they could and they met each other's parents. Everyone expected them to get married. When he finally asked her to marry him, she felt that old excitement again.

...

Three years later

'I really don't have time for this!' Kate shouted. She hated doing the weekly shopping. Why couldn't he do it?

'Fine, I'll go then,' she said, closing the door hard so that it made a loud noise.

Kate felt as if these kinds of arguments were happening more often. As she walked around the supermarket, she thought about how they'd been before, when they were in love. 'Can it ever feel like that again?' she wondered.

Walking into the health section, she recognised a word on a box of medicine. Limeren. The vitamin's name reminded her of a special time, a time when she was really crazy about Michael. She picked up a box and put it in her basket.

...

When she got home, Michael was already in bed so she ate dinner alone, taking her Limeren with a big glass of water. The next morning, she woke up early as usual, but instead of jumping straight in the shower, she joined Michael downstairs for breakfast.

'Good morning!' she said. To her surprise, she suddenly wanted to kiss him on the cheek. So she did, and sat down next to him at the table. He was eating in front of a big pile of books, looking cute with a pen behind his ear. 'What are you doing?'

'I'm applying for money for my next research project,' he said.

'Oh, good luck! What's the project about?'

After breakfast, she thought how nice it had been to see him talking about something he cared about. She'd forgotten how cute his dimples were when he smiled, she thought. Or maybe she hadn't seen him smile much recently. Anyway, she decided to have breakfast with him every day, since it had been such a lovely start to the day. It couldn't hurt to make a bit more effort, could it?

...

Two years later

The baby hadn't stopped crying for two hours, but now her little face was peaceful as she slept. Kate felt annoyed. Where was Michael? She went downstairs and found him filling bottles with milk for the baby.

'Well done!' Michael said. 'That didn't sound easy.'

'No!' she said angrily. 'It isn't!'

'You're doing an amazing job,' he said. 'OK, so, I've washed all the clothes, made your lunch for later and I'm going to come home early this afternoon so that you can have some time for yourself.'

Kate managed to smile and say thank you. He really was being very sweet, even if she was too tired to feel grateful or to be nice back. As soon as he had left for work, she picked up the box of Limeren. By the time he came home, Kate felt able to smile back when he smiled at her.

One year later

Kate was putting clothes away while the baby slept. She picked up one of Michael's favourite jumpers and held the soft material next to her cheek. She missed him and he had only been out an hour. Putting it back, she noticed something hard under the rest of the jumpers in the drawer. It was boxes and boxes of Limeren.

They weren't hers! She was shocked to see these boxes. She took Limeren every day, it was true, but Michael? She thought of Limeren as an easy way to those feelings she'd always had for Michael. And it was working. Every day she felt madly in love with her wonderful husband. Everyone said marriage was hard work, but she just didn't have time or energy for the job of marriage as well as her part-time job and a young baby. When she took Limeren, she made more effort to do small things that made their life together enjoyable. If he did something nice for her, she said thank you, but most of all she actually felt grateful. If he wore a new shirt or his hair looked good, she told him he was handsome. She asked him about his day and remembered things that were important to him. She'd seen nothing wrong with doing this. Until now, that is. Now she knew why he had always been so good at doing those same things for her. It was all fake!

Instead of smiling at Michael when he got home, she was angry. Clearly the Limeren only had a limited ability to make everything perfect because nothing felt perfect right now.

'What are all these?' she asked. She pointed to the Limeren packets she'd taken from the drawer and put on the kitchen table.

Michael moved closer and tried to read the small writing on the boxes. 'They're vitamins, aren't they?'

'Don't act as if you've got no idea why I'm asking!' said Kate, even more angry. 'These boxes,' she said, picking one of the packets up, 'are our relationship.'

'Oh!' he said. 'It's Limeren!'

'Yes, it's Limeren,' she said. 'I know exactly what they are.'

He looked confused. 'So why are you asking me what they are? I remember the name now you've said - from the place we met, right? - but I've not taken those for years.'

'What?'

'I just ... I don't know. It's better to get vitamins from fruit and vegetables, isn't it?' he said. 'The research company sent us boxes and boxes of them years ago, but I put them away somewhere and forgot to throw them away. We eat a healthy enough diet so there's no need to take vitamins.'

'What about ...' She felt her voice getting louder and louder, but also something made her feel less sure about the words she planned to say. Her idea sounded stupid. 'What about the falling in love part? The side effects! You're always so wonderful, the perfect husband. And now I know why!'

'Er ... thanks?' He laughed. 'I know they told us there were some side effects, but we were just joking when we said we fell in love because of the medicine, weren't we? Also,' he added, turning the box over in his hands, 'they must have changed the ingredients or something because it doesn't say anything on the box about side effects. See?' He held it out for her to look. 'Maybe they changed the recipe after we did that trial. Who knows?'

He gave her a big hug. 'This perfect husband is all natural, don't worry.'

He went upstairs to kiss the baby and then she heard him in the kitchen as he started to make dinner. She looked carefully at the boxes and it was true. There was nothing on the box about side effects, or even on the information inside. They were just vitamins after all. Limeren wasn't an easy way to love and it never had been.
Nicola Prentis

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Two people fall in love. But is their experience real? Or is it just an effect of the medicine they're taking?

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Pumpkin risotto is such a deliciously comforting meal! This version is based on traditional Italian recipes and is easy to make, filling, but not overly heavy. It's a perfect plate of fall goodness.

This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.
Many years ago, I made some baked pumpkin arancini which used pumpkin risotto as the base, but for whatever reason I then got out of the habit of making either. That is until we were in Bologna last year.

When we visited a balsamic vinegar producer (see more in my food in Bologna post), one of their suggestions for one of the vinegars was on top of pumpkin risotto. I instantly started imagining the delicious combination and could hardly wait until fall to try it.

To make the anticipation even worse, I then didn't manage to fit in sharing this recipe last year in the end, so have been holding on to this until it was just about OK to talk pumpkin again. Yes, I admit, I've been hiding this delicious dish from you.

But now it's safe to talk pumpkin again, I should add you need to have this high on your pumpkin cooking list!

What kind of pumpkin is best?

As I mentioned when I shared my pumpkin ravioli, in Italy, squash and pumpkin are known as "zucca". Exactly what zucca refers to can vary in different areas, from what I understand, plus there are longer names, in the same way as we use butternut squash or acorn squash in English to refer to the different varieties.

What seems to be the traditional squash/pumpkin for pumpkin risotto, however, is a bit lighter and sweeter than what we'd call "pumpkin" in the US. Some suggest butternut squash is closer in flavor, but it is that bit heavier.

I found and used a red kabocha squash, which is both on the sweeter side but not quite as dense as butternut. It made a truly delicious risotto. If you can't find red kabocha (or any other kabocha), then red kuri, butternut, buttercup squash or a pie pumpkin would also work as alternatives.

What rice should you use in risotto?

Risotto is traditionally made with arborio or carnaroli rice, as well as some other regional rice varieties. Arborio is the most common and easily found in most supermarkets, though many experts would argue carnaroli is better, if you can find it.

These (as well as some other Italian rice varieties) are short grain which gives the right texture for risotto. You get that great balance of slightly chewy and not too starchy.

In terms of cheese, it really needs to be parmesan to be authentically Italian in flavor. Plus the slight saltiness is a great contrast to the sweeter squash. The cheese adds creaminess as well.

Then the final flourish, as suggested by the balsamic vinegar producer, is a splash of aged balsamic vinegar. It really is the perfect pairing - the slight tartness cuts through the richness of the dish and the flavors so so well.

This pumpkin risotto is really the perfect fall meal. Comforting, easy to eat and with smooth, warming flavors. I'd definitely recommend you make some soon!

Try these other risotto recipes:

Pumpkin risotto

Author: Caroline's Cooking
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Remember to pin for later!

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Pumpkin risotto is such a deliciously comforting meal! This version is based on traditional Italian recipes and is easy to make, filling, but not overly heavy. It's a perfect plate of fall goodness. This post may contain affiliate links, where we earn from qualifying purchases. See more details in the policy page.

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Winter Sports:

1. Skiing:

Alpine Skiing: Descending down snow-covered slopes.

Cross-Country Skiing: Traversing flat or gently rolling terrains.

Freestyle Skiing: Includes jumps, aerial flips, and spins.

Ski Touring: Skiing over natural, unmarked terrain.

2. Snowboarding:

Similar to skiing but on a single board.

Includes freestyle and backcountry snowboarding.

3. Snowshoeing:

Hiking on snow using special footwear to distribute weight.

4. Ice Climbing:

Climbing frozen waterfalls or ice-covered rock faces.

5. Snowmobiling:

Riding snowmobiles over snow-covered terrain.

Summer Sports:

1. Hiking:

Walking or trekking through mountainous trails.

2. Mountain Biking:

Riding bikes on rugged, off-road trails.

3. Rock Climbing:

Climbing natural rock formations.

Includes bouldering, traditional climbing, and sport climbing.

4. Trail Running:

Running on trails through mountainous terrain.

5. Paragliding:

Gliding through the air using a parachute-like canopy.

6. Canyoning:

Traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques like walking, climbing, and swimming.

7. Camping:

Setting up tents and living outdoors in the mountains.

Year-Round Sports:

1. Mountaineering:

Climbing mountains, which can include hiking, rock climbing, and ice climbing.

2. Orienteering:

Navigating from point to point using a map and compass.

3. Photography:

Capturing the beauty of the mountains, which can be done year-round.

4. Bird Watching:

Observing and identifying different bird species in their natural habitat.

These sports and activities offer a variety of ways to enjoy the mountainous regions, whether you prefer the cold of winter or the warmth of summer.

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When a vampire visits a happy young couple, will true love save their lives?

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It's Sarah's first day. Philip and Marcia show her around.

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Marcia writes to the unsuccessful candidate to give them the bad news.

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Dear Lydka,

I am thrilled =very happy to have you as a committed =serious student, and I want to sincerely =from my heart thank you for placing your trust in me. We are going to achieve your goals together, and we’ll do it in a way that feels effortless=easy way and enjoyable=fun time . With engaging =intellectual topics, intriguing =curious =intresting , you want to know more themes, authentic listening exercises, and conversation questions designed to boost =grow your confidence=strong in your mind , you'll find yourself fully immersed =involved ,swimming , work with. in the English language.

By being intensively involved with English, you’ll be on the fast track =quickly to learning, discovering new and passionate=love perspectives on the language. I’m excited to spend this entire=full , whole month with you, guiding =showing you and being your beacon of light =the top of light , the shining light as you strive=work to become the best version of yourself in English.

Looking forward to our journey together!

Warm regards,=s uctou
Barbra

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Philip and Marcia discuss the two candidates. Who will get the job?

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Listen to Emily talking about the importance of managing her stress levels and the techniques she uses.

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Daniel and Sarah make their presentations. Will they impress the interviewers?

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Sarah goes for her interview. How do you think will she do?

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Adidas and Puma have been two of the biggest names in sports shoe for over 60 years. Since 1928 they have shoes for Olympic athletes, World Cup winning football stars, Muhammad Ali, hip hop stars and famous rock musicians from all over the world. But the story of these two companies begins in one and the same house in the town of Herzogenaurach in Germany.

Adolph and Rudolph Dassler were the sons of a shoemaker. They loved sport but they always that they could never find comfortable shoes to play in. Rudolph always said, " You cannot play sports wearing shoes that you'd walk around in town with." So they started making their own. In 1920 Adolph made the first of athletic shoes with spikes, produced on the Dasslers' kitchen table.

On 1st July 1924 they a shoe company, Dassler Brothers Ltd. The company became successful and it provided the shoes for Germany's athletes at the 1928 and 1932 Olympic Games.

But in 1948 the brothers started . Nobody knows exactly what happened but family members have suggested that the argument was about money or women. The was that Adolph left the company. His nickname was Adi , and using the first three letters of his family name, he founded Adidas.
Rudolph across the river Aurach and founded his own company too. At first he wanted to call it Ruda, but he called it Puma, after the wild cat. The famous Puma of the jumping cat has until the present day.

After the big split up in 1948 Adolph and Rudolph never talked to each other again and since then their companies have been in with each other in the world of sports. Both companies were market leaders for many years, Adidas has always been more successful than Puma. In the 1970s the two German companies got competition from new sportswear firms in America, Nike and Reebok.

The terrible family argument should really be forgotten, but ever since it happened, over 60 years ago the town has been split in two. Even now, some Adidas and Puma don't even talk to each other.

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Created with Hot Potatoes by Half-Baked Software, registered to Klaus Rosmanitz.

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The Story of Adidas and Puma - English Vocabulary Exercises

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Adidas and Puma have been two of the biggest names in sports shoe for over 60 years. Since 1928 they have shoes for Olympic athletes, World Cup winning football stars, Muhammad Ali, hip hop stars and famous rock musicians from all over the world.

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hospital

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You can set this page as a homework task for a group of students; doing so will give you a record of who has completed the task. Visit the teacher's section for more information.

In the teacher's section you can also alter the sets of content, so that only some of the images appear. Additionally, you can get embed code to add this game to a blog or web page and you can create direct links to the game with content pre-selected. As an example, the link below will start the game with the jobs content automatically loaded.

Alternatively, this link will start the game with the food content automatically selected and loaded.

Use the teacher's section to create more links or embed code.

This is a simple game for practicing brief reading comprehension. To play, you read the brief description and then click on the image that it most accurately describes. The aim is to practice understanding for short English sentences in a fun way. By having the player match the description to an image, it is hoped that meaning or context can be elicited more effectively. To be clear, this game is primarily targeted at - ESL (English as a second language) students.

When playing, you can select the content to use from a range of 20 or so different sets. Each set has 20 to 30 items and each item has two different (but quite similar) descriptions. The first description is quite simple, while the second tries to be more difficult. The easier descriptions show first and then as you progress the more difficult ones show. To finish the game, you have to go through the whole set of content twice. To try and make the game more interesting, score is accumulated and a high score table is shown at the end. Most of the other games on this site use a timer to make the game challenging. Rather than do this again, this game just has score and a bar that accumulates and awards more points. The bar accumulates as you get the correct answer, but then resets whenever a mistake is made. If you can get six correct responses in a row, the star is shown and additional score is given.

To add another element to the game, I included 3 'lifelines' or hints to help get the correct answer. These appear on the right of the screen and, while initial faded, become available as you accumulate score. The first lifeline is '50/50'. Clicking this will remove half of the options leaving only the correct answer and 3 alternatives. The second lifeline, changes the images shown and reorders the display. At first 8 images are shown. One is the correct response and the other 7 are randomly selected from the other images in the content set. The second lifeline, re-shuffles and reselects the 7 alternatives. The final lifeline simply shows the correct response. As this one is quite useful, it is can only be used a few times. When you begin, you have no lifelines and the option buttons are all faded out. Then as you give correct responses, you accumulate score and get awarded lifelines. However, one incorrect answer will reset everything and remove all the lifelines you have.

There a couple of game modes that you can play in. Normal mode will display 8 possible images for each description, while easy mode displays only 4 images. There is also a 'simple' mode in which the scoring bar and lifelines are removed.

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A game to practice basic text comprehension in English. Read the descriptions and then click on the matching pictures. You can use this to learn English online for free.

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Marcia and Philip discuss the applications they've received and the interview format.

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What's the treatment for glaucoma? Doctors use different types of treatment for glaucoma, including medicines (usually eye drops), laser treatment, and surgery. If you have glaucoma, it's important to start treatment right away. Treatment won't undo any damage to your vision, but it can stop it from getting worse.

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Our simple potato soup recipe made on a stovetop requires just a few ingredients. It's a great alternative to the loaded potato soup. Chunky, thick, and brothy, it overflows with potatoes and carrots. Made with vegetable, or chicken broth, this soup is quick and yummy!

Background

Come November I'm kind of done with creamy soups for a while. Hey, I love a loaded potato soup with a bunch of soup toppings as much as the next girl!

But every now and then I crave a lighter broth that's thick in a chunky and non-too-creamy way. A simple potato soup with just a few ingredients.

Today's recipe is a perfect example!

It's a stovetop soup that's:

deliciously chunky but light,

(optionally) enriched with a pinch of heavy cream (no milk!),

and ultimately, an easy potato soup with vegetable or chicken broth.

Simple ingredients. (Forget the leeks, sausage, and mushrooms!) Great taste! (YUM!) Made from scratch in about 30-40 minutes. (Quick and easy!)

Shall we?

Ingredients

Here are the few ingredients you'll need to make this easy potato soup.

Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are the best potatoes for this soup. (Even Wikipedia calls these potatoes the "jack-of-all-trades" due to their versatility, durability, and sweet-ish flavor.) Dice them small for easier and quicker cooking. They taste better in smaller bites, and they still give you that chunky potato soup. Alternatively, go for Russett or Red. Avoid fingerling potatoes.

Carrots: they give a touch of sweetness without overpowering the dish. Try different cutting methods for different soup textures (diced, minced, grated).

Onion: white and yellow onions both work for this soup. You can also dice these any size depending on how you like onions in your food. (I like what onions do for a dish but prefer not to bite into them, so I opt for grating.)

Herbs and seasonings: a regular medley of salt, pepper, and parsley (fresh is best, but dry works too) is your best bet. Paprika is the main seasoning, and whichever type you choose will have an influence on the taste (hot, mild, smokey, etc.). Alternatively, use your own spice mix.

Broth: it's best if you make this easy potato soup with chicken broth. However, if you prefer a vegetarian potato soup, just switch it up with vegetable broth. Beef broth is really the last choice, as it may make the soup "heavier." Alternatively, use water and add a stock or bouillon cube or powder, or other seasonings to give it your preferred flavor.

Heavy cream and flour (thickeners): this simple potato soup recipe does require a little bit of heavy cream and one tablespoon of flour to thicken it. The broth is on the lighter side, so just a pinch will do. Start with an ounce and move up to 3.5, adjusting to taste (about 30-100ml). If you opt for just one thickener adjust the volumes accordingly. Alternatively, when the soup is almost ready, blend ⅓ of the potatoes with an immersion blender.

Instructions

Here is how to make this brothy, chunky potato soup in a few easy steps.

Step 1. Heat up the oil. Add carrot, onion, and garlic. Sauté.

Step 2. Add spices and flour, and stir occasionally. Add broth and bring to a boil.

Step 3. Add potatoes and cook for 25 min. Add heavy cream and parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Handling

Serving: serve this chunky potato soup warm. It goes well with fermented salads and homemade bread. Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This dish is best consumed on the same day.

Reheating: reheat on the stovetop, or using your preferred method. Do not reheat twice! Reheating it on the stovetop is your best option because it warms up more evenly this way

Freezing: nope!

Simple Potato Soup FAQs

Should potatoes be cooked before adding them to the soup?

No. There is no need to cook potatoes before adding them to the soup.

Can you leave the skin on potatoes for this soup?

No. Peel and dice the potatoes before you add them to the pot.

Can I freeze this soup?

No.

Potatoes kept in the freezer turn into mush when you try to thaw them. Industrial-grade equipment is necessary to freeze them instantly before they lose their structure.

In fact, it's best not to keep cooked potatoes in the fridge for longer than a day.

Can I make this potato soup in Instant Pot?

Yes, you can, but you shouldn't!

Instant Pot is usually used to shorten cooking time. This easy potato soup only takes about 35 minutes from start to finish. It would take about the same amount of time, if not longer, for Instant Pot to build pressure and cook it.

So yes, you're welcome to use Instant Pot, however, there is no need for it.

More Soups

Thoughts?

If you made our simple potato soup recipe and liked it, please consider giving it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This helps others find the recipe more easily!

Also, feel free to leave a comment (I read each one!), and don't forget to tag a photo #balkanlunchbox, or us @balkanlunchbox, on IG.
Prijatno and bon appetit! (Recipe by S. Hajdarević)
Simple Potato Soup Recipe

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