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

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T126-Future Perfect Tense - English Grammar Exercises

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

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T110 - Past and Past Perfect Tense - English Grammar Exercises

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

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

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

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Philip is the CEO of WebWare, an IT company. He needs to hire a new sales director as soon as possible.

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Even with today's overall focus on technology, business phone calls, or phone calls intended to discuss deals, agreements, and any other information of professional significance are important and often-utilized, as they allow experts from a number of different companies and organizations to completely understand one another. Like many other aspects of business, phone calls feature quite a few variables and elements that should be considered by those involved. Failing to consider these variables and elements can inhibit a business phone call's effects and negatively impact business relationships.

First and foremost, a caller dials and starts a business phone call, while a receiver answers a business phone call.

Starting a business phone call might appear to be as easy as dialing a phone number, but there's a bit more to the process than that. The caller should assure that the call is taking place at an appropriate time for the receiver, that there is well-defined subject matter to discuss, and that this subject matter is outlined. Well-defined subject matter could be anything from a potential deal to agreement specifics, and even an inquiry as to how a client is feeling and what he or she needs.

Outlines of important discussion points, or reminders of topics that should be talked about during conversations, help make business phone calls as meaningful and useful as possible. With that said, business phone calls can begin with some light-hearted small talk, or non-official talk that's intended to offer a break from official conversation, to build trust and emphasize a relationship, before proceeding into matters of professional concern.

Receiving a business phone call is similarly straightforward. If one is unable to talk at a given moment, the generally accepted practice is to answer a call and request that the caller phone back at a later time (or that he or she receive a return call at a later time). Other than that, one simply answers, remains courteous and attentive, and allows the caller to guide the conversation. It's recommended that one take notes during business phone calls.

Exchanging information, or providing contact details, pertinent figures or statistics, or other requested data is a common business phone call practice that can be started by the caller or the receiver. To exchange information, one simply asks the individual on the other end of the phone if he or she believes it would be mutually beneficial (or helpful for all parties involved) to swap specified information. If an agreement is made, the received information should be taken note of.

If something that a caller says isn't completely understood or isn't clear, one can politely ask him or her to repeat what was said. This request can be as simple as "Can you please repeat that?" or "Sorry, I didn't catch that."

Ending a business phone call, or the process of hanging up and bringing a conversation to a close, is usually automatic, and occurs when both callers feel that the dialogue's purposes have been fulfilled. If a business phone call has to be ended early (because something unforeseen has come up), the caller should ask if the dialogue can continue at a later time.

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Even with today's overall focus on technology, business phone calls, or phone calls intended to discuss deals, agreements, and any other information of professional significance are important and often-utilized, as they allow experts from a number of different companies and organizations to completely understand one another.

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Rosa Parks - Civil Rights Activist | Mini Bio | BIO

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The correct way to spell this word is to combine the root word busy with the suffix -ness. A common misspelling of busyness is business, but this word has a completely different meaning. Don't confuse the two! If you're referring to the state of being busy, make sure you spell the word with a Y

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The correct way to spell this word is to combine the root word busy with the suffix -ness. A common misspelling of busyness is business, but this word has a completely different meaning. Don't confuse the two! If you're referring to the state of being busy, make sure you spell the word with a Y

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As many quick-learning students of business know (perhaps from reading one of our previous lessons!), business phone calls are great for developing professional relationships and making agreements, for a number of different reasons. With that said, when a lot of time, money, and respect are on the line, it's not unusual for two or more individuals to meet and discuss a matter of significance face-to-face.

Face-to-face meetings have been important parts of the business process for years, and all signs indicate that they will remain so for many years to come. However, arranging a face-to-face meeting is a process most often completed through a business phone call; thus, it's imperative that this call be as precise as possible.

Consider the following business phone call example, wherein the caller sets up a face-to-face meeting:

Lotner: Hello, Jack? It's Jared. I had a chance to review the information you emailed, and I'm very impressed.

Tempt: That's great to hear, Jared! I was hopeful that you'd be satisfied.

Lotner: Well, I certainly am, and if possible, I'd like to meet you in-person to discuss some questions I had.

Tempt: That's definitely possible; when were you thinking, for the meeting?

Lotner: I'm a bit busy the rest of this week...Would next Tuesday around noon work?

Tempt: Let's see...Yes, I'm all free next Tuesday at noon.

Lotner: Excellent! Would you like to meet at my office? I can also come to yours, if you'd like.

Tempt: Your office works for me.

Lotner: Fantastic! I'll see you then.

Tempt: I'm looking forward to it.

This typical example might seem insignificant, but it could once again mark the start of a massive, mutually beneficial partnership. In the "real world," arranging a meeting might be slightly more difficult, because of each businessperson's busy schedule, but if one remains professional and courteous, the process should be successful.

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As many quick-learning students of business know (perhaps from reading one of our previous lessons!), business phone calls are great for developing professional relationships and making agreements, for a number of different reasons. With that said, when a lot of time, money, and respect are on the line, it's not unusual for two or more individuals to meet and discuss a matter of significance face-to-face.

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seamstress =a person who makes. clothes

segregated=separated

hatred from hate , opposite of love

mistreated =not nice treatment , bad behaviour

arrested =police comes and takes you

trial was only 30 minutes, verdict =guilty and she had to pay fine , money , penalty

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WF062 - Changing the way we live - Word formation - English Vocabulary Exercises

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WF057 - Application email - Word Formation

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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

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WF057 - Application email - Word Formation

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Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers. Use the "Hint" button to get a free letter if an answer is giving you trouble. You can also click on the "[?]" button to get a clue. Note that you will lose points if you ask for hints or clues!

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Japan

Japan is a country in Asia that is made up of 6,852 islands. Not all of these islands are inhabited. "Inhabited" means that people live on them.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

There are four main islands where people live. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is on one of these main islands. In Japanese, the language of Japan, the country is called "Nippon."

This means "Land of the Rising Sun," which is also Japan's nickname in English. A "nickname" is an informal or friendly name that people use to talk about a person or place.

Japan is famous for many things including its landscape, art, music, poetry and food.

Today, Japan may be most famous for its inventions in science and technology.

Many of the pieces of technology that we use every day came from Japan. Japan has many companies that produce technology. For example, many digital cameras are made in Japan. Japanese companies that make digital cameras are Fuji, Panasonic, Canon, and Nikon.

Also, many computers and printers are made by Japanese companies. If you have a computer or printer that is made by Sony or Epson then you have Japanese computer or printer.

Japan is also famous for its cars. Japanese car companies include Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda. Chances are that many pieces of technology in your house including your television, cell phone, and even your digital alarm clock are made by Japanese companies.

These companies are always doing research and developing new products to continue advancing technology in the home.

Japanese companies don't only make small electronics for personal use. Japan is also a very important country in space exploration. "Exploration" means investigation or discovering new places.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency does research on planets, aviation (flying), rockets, and satellites. "Satellites" are pieces of technology that fly in space and send pictures and information back to Earth.

Japan works with other nations including the United States and Russia on better understanding space and the other planets.

They are also very involved in trying to understand the Earth's climate. "Climate" means weather conditions. The Earth's climate has been changing quickly over the past hundred years and scientists, including the Japanese, are studying the climate from space to understand what it will be like in the future.

Because of the work they have done in technology and science, many Japanese researchers and scientists have won the Nobel Prize. This is the highest honor that a scientists and authors can receive. It is awarded (given) once a year to someone who has changed the world because of their research or work. Japanese scientists have won the Nobel prize in chemistry, physics, and medicine.

Japan is an important contributor to the world's technology and understanding of science. A "contributor" is someone who gives time or money or information to someone else.

Japanese researchers and companies have changed the way that everyone around the world is able to communicate, receive information, and move from one place to another.

Luckily for all of us, the Japanese are continuing to develop new products and technologies to make our lives easier!

Japan - Exercises

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does "nickname" mean?

2. What does "produce" mean?

3. What does "awarded" mean?

Grammar Questions

1. Many of the pieces of technology that we ________ everyday came from Japan.

2. They are also very involved ________ trying to understand the Earth's climate.

3. Japanese scientists ________ the Nobel prize in chemistry, physics, and medicine.

Comprehension Questions

1. What are some products that you have at home that may be made in Japan?

_______________________________________________________________

2. What is something that the Japanese are researching in space?

_______________________________________________________________

3. What topics have Japanese scientists won Nobel Prizes in?

_______________________________________________________________

Click here to download the Japan worksheet.

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An English reading practice article: Japan is a country in Asia that is made up of 6,852 islands. Japan is famous for many things including its landscape, art, music, poetry and food... Click here to read the full article and do the exercises.

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Whittier , Alaska

Located in the beautiful state of Alaska, a little town called Whittier is tucked away in a picturesque area surrounded by mountains and the ocean. The town can be accessed by one way tunnel built for both vehicles and trains

Economy thrives and people find employment in cargo shipping industry . There are two hotels , a museum , and a s grocery store .

Visitors come to see attractions such as the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, glacier jet ski tours, and scenic boat excursions that offer breathtaking views of marine wildlife and icebergs.

The Begich Towers, a 14-story building, and it accommodates 200 residents . All the facilities are under one roof , the health clinic, church , restaurant and cafe ..

The origin of the town dates back to early last century and it was a military base , later with an increase of population two buildings were erected /built , Buckner Building and Begich Towers . In 1960 Buckner Building was abandoned and now Begich Towers serve as a communal space

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Two months before the plane crash .... episode two of The Survivor starts in the FBI Bank Robbery Department.

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A plane crashes, leaving only one survivor. Who is she? This is the first episode of The Survivor.

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Agent Sanders is investigating a robbery and has nearly found the stolen money. This is the third episode of The Survivor.

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

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

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What and when is Holi?

Holi is an ancient Hindu festival that originated in India and Nepal and is now celebrated in many places around the world. Holi marks the beginning of spring. The date changes each year, depending on the full moon, but it is held sometime between the end of February and the middle of March and lasts a night and a day.

What does Holi celebrate?

Holi is a celebration of good winning over evil. It is also a time to forgive people, make peace and repair broken relationships, as well as playing and having fun.

What happens on Holika Dahan?

The festivities start on the night before Holi, which is called Holika Dahan. People build bonfires that represent good winning over evil and the end of winter. In ancient stories, the god Vishna destroyed a powerful evil being, called Holika, through fire. People start collecting wood several days before so that they can build really big fires, and on Holika Dahan they meet around the bonfire to sing, dance and do other traditional activities.

What happens on Rangwali Holi?

The next day is called Rangwali Holi. In the morning everyone goes outside and throws coloured powders and water at each other. Some people use water guns and water balloons. There is music and drumming, and people run and laugh in the streets and parks. After a few hours everyone is wet and covered in a rainbow of different colours. In the evening people put on clean clothes and go and visit their friends and family. They share traditional food and drink, such as gujiya, a sweet made with dried fruit and nuts, and thandai, a delicious cold milk drink with nuts and spices.

Why do people throw colours?

Some people say that the colours are a way of celebrating the many colours of the flowers in springtime. But in some places, people also tell a story about the god Krishna. Krishna was passionately in love with a girl called Radha, but he was worried that she would not love him because their skins were different colours. Radha let him paint her face the same colour as his to show that she loved him. It is said that lovers nowadays often paint their faces the same colour during Holi to remember this story.

Can everyone celebrate Holi?

Holi celebrations are hundreds of years old. But recently, Holi-themed events have become popular with a new generation in Europe and North America. Many thousands of people go to Holi events, attracted by the bright colours and playful atmosphere. Holi has a friendly and inclusive spirit, so non-Hindus are often welcomed to join the celebrations. If you don't identify as Hindu, it's respectful to learn about how Holi is celebrated in India and Nepal before participating in this colourful festival. Happy Holi!

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What do you know about Holi? Read the article to find out about this very colourful festival, celebrated by Hindus all over the world.

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Hairy Arms is an urban legend for Halloween about a young woman who is shopping at the mall when an old lady asks her for a lift home. This story is also known as "The Old Lady" or "The Hairy-Armed Hitchhiker".

It was Halloween and a young woman was shopping at the mall. She had to pick up some candy and chocolate to hand out to the children in her neighborhood. After buying everything on her list, she paid for her purchases and carried the shopping bags out to the car park.

When she was loading her bags into the boot of her car, she noticed an old lady with a large shopping bag approaching her.

"I'm sorry to bother you," said the old lady, â€œbut I missed my bus. Would you be a darling and give me a lift home? My legs are tired and I've been walking all day.â€

The young woman was in a good mood, so she said, â€œOf course, Iâ€™d be happy to. Hop in.â€

She unlocked the door for the old lady and helped her into the passenger seat. Then, she walked around and got into the car herself. However, as she was about to drive way, the young woman noticed something that sent a chill down her spine.

The old lady had hairy arms.

Something about the sight of those hairy arms made her extremely uncomfortable. She picked up her purse and began searching through it.

â€œOh no," she said. "I canâ€™t find my credit card. I must have left it in the mall. Can you wait her for a few minutes while I go back and see if anybody has found it?â€

The old lady nodded.

The young woman returned to the mall and found a security guard. She told him about the old lady in her car. Together, they went back to the parking lot, but the young womanâ€™s car was empty and the passenger door was standing wide open.

On the seat of the car was the large shopping bag that the old woman had been carrying. Inside, they found a huge butcherâ€™s knife and a roll of duct tape.

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Hairy Arms is an urban legend for Halloween about a young woman who is shopping at the mall when an old lady asks her for a lift home. This story is also known as "The Old Lady" or "The Hairy-Armed Hitchhiker". It was Halloween and a young woman was shopping at the mall.

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Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word in brackets. Do not change the given word. You must use between TWO and FIVE words for your answer.

1. She says she may join the debating society. (INTERESTED)
She says she's the debating society.

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

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Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word in brackets. Do not change the given word. You must use between TWO and FIVE words for your answer. She says she may join the debating society. (INTERESTED) She says she's the debating society.

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There was once a rich man whose wife lay sick, and when she felt her end drawing near she called to her only daughter to come near her bed, and said, "Dear child, be pious and good, and God will always take care of you, and I will look down upon you from heaven, and will be with you." And then she closed her eyes and expired. The maiden went every day to her mother's grave and wept, and was always pious and good. When the winter came the snow covered the grave with a white covering, and when the sun came in the early spring and melted it away, the man took to himself another wife.

The new wife brought two daughters home with her, and they were beautiful and fair in appearance, but at heart were, black and ugly. And then began very evil times for the poor step-daughter. "Is the stupid creature to sit in the same room with us?" said they; "those who eat food must earn it. Out upon her for a kitchen-maid!" They took away her pretty dresses, and put on her an old grey kirtle, and gave her wooden shoes to wear. "Just look now at the proud princess, how she is decked out!" cried they laughing, and then they sent her into the kitchen. There she was obliged to do heavy work from morning to night, get up early in the morning, draw water, make the fires, cook, and wash. Besides that, the sisters did their utmost to torment her, mocking her, and strewing peas and lentils among the ashes, and setting her to pick them up. In the evenings, when she was quite tired out with her hard day's work, she had no bed to lie on, but was obliged to rest on the hearth among the cinders. And as she always looked dusty and dirty, they named her Cinderella.

It happened one day that the father went to the fair, and he asked his two step-daughters what he should bring back for them. "Fine clothes!" said one. "Pearls and jewels!" said the other. "But what will you have, Cinderella?" said he. "The first twig, father, that strikes against your hat on the way home; that is what I should like you to bring me." So he bought for the two step-daughters fine clothes, pearls, and jewels, and on his way back, as he rode through a green lane, a hazel-twig struck against his hat; and he broke it off and carried it home with him. And when he reached home he gave to the step-daughters what they had wished for, and to Cinderella he gave the hazel-twig. She thanked him, and went to her mother's grave, and planted this twig there, weeping so bitterly that the tears fell upon it and watered it, and it flourished and became a fine tree. Cinderella went to see it three times a day, and wept and prayed, and each time a white bird rose up from the tree, and if she uttered any wish the bird brought her whatever she had wished for.

Now if came to pass that the king ordained a festival that should last for three days, and to which all the beautiful young women of that country were bidden, so that the king's son might choose a bride from among them. When the two stepdaughters heard that they too were bidden to appear, they felt very pleased, and they called Cinderella, and said, "Comb our hair, brush our shoes, and make our buckles fast, we are going to the wedding feast at the king's castle." Cinderella, when she heard this, could not help crying, for she too would have liked to go to the dance, and she begged her step-mother to allow her. "What, you Cinderella!" said she, "in all your dust and dirt, you want to go to the festival! you that have no dress and no shoes! you want to dance!" But as she persisted in asking, at last the step-mother said, "I have strewed a dish-full of lentils in the ashes, and if you can pick them all up again in two hours you may go with us." Then the maiden went to the backdoor that led into the garden, and called out, "O gentle doves, O turtle-doves, And all the birds that be, The lentils that in ashes lie Come and pick up for me!

The good must be put in the dish,
The bad you may eat if you wish."

Then there came to the kitchen-window two white doves, and after them some turtle-doves, and at last a crowd of all the birds under heaven, chirping and fluttering, and they alighted among the ashes; and the doves nodded with their heads, and began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and then all the others began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and put all the good grains into the dish. Before an hour was over all was done, and they flew away. Then the maiden brought the dish to her step-mother, feeling joyful, and thinking that now she should go to the feast; but the step-mother said, "No, Cinderella, you have no proper clothes, and you do not know how to dance, and you would be laughed at!" And when Cinderella cried for disappointment, she added, "If you can pick two dishes full of lentils out of the ashes, nice and clean, you shall go with us," thinking to herself, "for that is not possible." When she had strewed two dishes full of lentils among the ashes the maiden went through the backdoor into the garden, and cried, "O gentle doves, O turtle-doves, And all the birds that be, The lentils that in ashes lie Come and pick up for me!

The good must be put in the dish,
The bad you may eat if you wish."

So there came to the kitchen-window two white doves, and then some turtle-doves, and at last a crowd of all the other birds under heaven, chirping and fluttering, and they alighted among the ashes, and the doves nodded with their heads and began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and then all the others began to pick, peck, pick, peck, and put all the good grains into the dish. And before half-an-hour was over it was all done, and they flew away. Then the maiden took the dishes to the stepmother, feeling joyful, and thinking that now she should go with them to the feast; but she said "All this is of no good to you; you cannot come with us, for you have no proper clothes, and cannot dance; you would put us to shame." Then she turned her back on poor Cinderella, and made haste to set out with her two proud daughters.

And as there was no one left in the house, Cinderella went to her mother's grave, under the hazel bush, and cried,

"Little tree, little tree, shake over me,
That silver and gold may come down and cover me."

Then the bird threw down a dress of gold and silver, and a pair of slippers embroidered with silk and silver. , And in all haste she put on the dress and went to the festival. But her step-mother and sisters did not know her, and thought she must be a foreign princess, she looked so beautiful in her golden dress. Of Cinderella they never thought at all, and supposed that she was sitting at home, arid picking the lentils out of the ashes. The King's son came to meet her, and took her by the hand and danced with her, and he refused to stand up with any one else, so that he might not be obliged to let go her hand; and when any one came to claim it he answered, "She is my partner."

And when the evening came she wanted to go home, but the prince said he would go with her to take care of her, for he wanted to see where the beautiful maiden lived. But she escaped him, and jumped up into the pigeon-house. Then the prince waited until the father came, and told him the strange maiden had jumped into the pigeon-house. The father thought to himself, "It cannot surely be Cinderella," and called for axes and hatchets, and had the pigeon-house cut down, but there was no one in it. And when they entered the house there sat Cinderella in her dirty clothes among the cinders, and a little oil-lamp burnt dimly in the chimney; for Cinderella had been very quick, and had jumped out of the pigeon-house again, and had run to the hazel bush; and there she had taken off her beautiful dress and had laid it on the grave, and the bird had carried it away again, and then she had put on her little gray kirtle again, and had sat down in. the kitchen among the cinders.

The next day, when the festival began anew, and the parents and step-sisters had gone to it, Cinderella went to the hazel bush and cried,

"Little tree, little tree, shake over me,
That silver and gold may come down and cover me."

Then the bird cast down a still more splendid dress than on the day before. And when she appeared in it among the guests every one was astonished at her beauty. The prince had been waiting until she came, and he took her hand and danced with her alone. And when any one else came to invite her he said, "She is my partner." And when the evening came she wanted to go home, and the prince followed her, for he wanted to see to what house she belonged; but she broke away from him, and ran into the garden at the back of the house. There stood a fine large tree, bearing splendid pears; she leapt as lightly as a squirrel among the branches, and the prince did not know what had become of her. So he waited until the father came, and then he told him that the strange maiden had rushed from him, and that he thought she had gone up into the pear-tree. The father thought to himself, "It cannot surely be Cinderella," and called for an axe, and felled the tree, but there was no one in it. And when they went into the kitchen there sat Cinderella among the cinders, as usual, for she had got down the other side of the tree, and had taken back her beautiful clothes to the bird on the hazel bush, and had put on her old grey kirtle again.

On the third day, when the parents and the step-children had set off, Cinderella went again to her mother's grave, and said to the tree,

"Little tree, little tree, shake over me,
That silver and gold may come down and cover me."

Then the bird cast down a dress, the like of which had never been seen for splendour and brilliancy, and slippers that were of gold. And when she appeared in this dress at the feast nobody knew what to say for wonderment. The prince danced with her alone, and if any one else asked her he answered, "She is my partner."

And when it was evening Cinderella wanted to go home, and the prince was about to go with her, when she ran past him so quickly that he could not follow her. But he had laid a plan, and had caused all the steps to be spread with pitch, so that as she rushed down them the left shoe of the maiden remained sticking in it. The prince picked it up, and saw that it was of gold, and very small and slender. The next morning he went to the father and told him that none should be his bride save the one whose foot the golden shoe should fit. Then the two sisters were very glad, because they had pretty feet. The eldest went to her room to try on the shoe, and her mother stood by. But she could not get her great toe into it, for the shoe was too small; then her mother handed her a knife, and said, "Cut the toe off, for when you are queen you will never have to go on foot." So the girl cut her toe off, squeezed her foot into the shoe, concealed the pain, and went down to the prince. Then he took her with him on his horse as his bride, and rode off. They had to pass by the grave, and there sat the two pigeons on the hazel bush, and cried,

"There they go, there they go!
There is blood on her shoe;
The shoe is too small,
Not the right bride at all!"

Then the prince looked at her shoe, and saw the blood flowing. And he turned his horse round and took the false bride home again, saying she was not the right one, and that the other sister must try on the shoe. So she went into her room to do so, and got her toes comfortably in, but her heel was too large. Then her mother handed her the knife, saying, "Cut a piece off your heel; when you are queen you will never have to go on foot." So the girl cut a piece off her heel, and thrust her foot into the shoe, concealed the pain, and went down to the prince, who took his bride before him on his horse and rode off. When they passed by the hazel bush the two pigeons sat there and cried,

"There they go, there they go!
There is blood on her shoe;
The shoe is too small,
Not the right bride at all!"

Then the prince looked at her foot, and saw how the blood was flowing from the shoe, and staining the white stocking. And he turned his horse round and brought the false bride home again. "This is not the right one," said he, "have you no other daughter?" - "No," said the man, "only my dead wife left behind her a little stunted Cinderella; it is impossible that she can be the bride." But the King's son ordered her to be sent for, but the mother said, "Oh no! she is much too dirty, I could not let her be seen." But he would have her fetched, and so Cinderella had to appear. First she washed her face and hands quite clean, and went in and curtseyed to the prince, who held out to her the golden shoe. Then she sat down on a stool, drew her foot out of the heavy wooden shoe, and slipped it into the golden one, which fitted it perfectly. And when she stood up, and the prince looked in her face, he knew again the beautiful maiden that had danced with him, and he cried, "This is the right bride!" The step-mother and the two sisters were thunderstruck, and grew pale with anger; but he put Cinderella before him on his horse and rode off. And as they passed the hazel bush, the two white pigeons cried,

"There they go, there they go!
No blood on her shoe;
The shoe's not too small,
The right bride is she after all."

And when they had thus cried, they came flying after and perched on Cinderella's shoulders, one on the right, the other on the left, and so remained.

And when her wedding with the prince was appointed to be held the false sisters came, hoping to curry favour, and to take part in the festivities. So as the bridal procession went to the church, the eldest walked on the right side and the younger on the left, and the pigeons picked out an eye of each of them. And as they returned the elder was on the left side and the younger on the right, and the pigeons picked out the other eye of each of them. And so they were condemned to go blind for the rest of their days because of their wickedness and falsehood.

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2023/11/03 Fairy tale: Cinderella - A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. There was once a rich man whose wife lay sick, and when she felt her end drawing near she called to her only daughter to come near her bed, and said, Dear child, be pious and good, and God will always take care of you, and I will look down upon you from heaven, and will be with you.

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B1+ Reading Test

Read the text about eco-terrorism and for questions 1 to 6, choose the correct answers.

Seeding clouds to make rain

Drought is an increasing problem in our warming world. All continents have been experiencing more extended periods without rain, leading to forest fires and poor crop growth. Consequently, people are looking at cloud seeding to solve the problem. Cloud seeding is a method of encouraging precipitation by distributing small particles of silver iodide into clouds.

Cloud-seeding expert Arlen Huggins has been studying its effectiveness. 'My earliest experience was to use cloud seeding to reduce the amount of hail in northeast Colorado. They don't get huge hailstones here, like in the Midwest, but they get it more often. We didn't have any luck with that, but we had success later on in increasing snowfall in Utah. Now, the focus is shifting towards increasing rainfall from summer clouds, which is far more unpredictable.

The problem is that it's pretty hard to know whether precipitation resulted directly from cloud seeding. It might have rained or snowed anyway. Even if you cloud seed in one place and don't in another, it's impossible to know for sure what caused the precipitation unless the cloud system is straightforward, like fog that otherwise has no chance of forming rain or snow.

However, it's not during foggy and snowy conditions that people think of increasing the chance of rainfall. It's when a country is hit by drought, and then cloud seeding isn't an option due to the lack of clouds. In warm conditions, only storm clouds can produce rain by seeding, while during drought, skies tend to be clear with a few wispy clouds. The best option to prevent drought is to seed at times of the year when rainfall levels are normal or higher. That way, slightly more rain can be extracted and stored in reservoirs for the dry season.

As cloud seeding is expensive and its effectiveness tenuous, its usefulness is still a matter of opinion. University of Colorado researcher Katja Friedrich says cloud seeding can't end a drought. However, it can be beneficial, provided it occurs alongside other water conservation strategies. Arlen Huggins is of the same mind. Increasing precipitation through cloud seeding would significantly benefit the economy in the large water basin where he works. Still, for that to happen, the water would need to be captured and stored effectively.

There are also environmental issues regarding the impact of cloud seeding. At high levels, silver iodide can harm humans and other mammals, and some studies have found silver compounds to be slightly toxic. However, several ecological studies have shown minor environmental and health impacts. Where cloud seeding has taken place, the amount of silver compounds in the soil and vegetation has been found to be no higher than natural levels. Even so, some environmentalists are concerned about the long-term impacts, as there isn't data on how much silver iodide accumulates in the environment over periods exceeding ten years.

Another fear is that cloud seeding could potentially steal water from neighbouring areas by encouraging the water in clouds that would otherwise fall somewhere else to fall in your location. According to Maarten Ambaum from the University of Reading, it is possible to use cloud seeding to make rain fall on your farm, which otherwise would fall on your neighbour's farm. It's not the case, though, that if one country uses cloud seeding to create rain, a neighbouring country will lose out because clouds are constantly forming and reforming.

Reading comprehension test

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Seeding clouds to make rain - B1+ English Reading test - Test-English

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English reading comprehension test for upper-intermediate students (CEFR B2.1). Read a text about cloud seeding and answer the questions.

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Pre-Intermediate Grammar | For/Since Gap Fill | esl-lounge Student

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Every year in November, people look for bargains on Black Friday. But did you know that the same day is also Buy Nothing Day?

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Linguapress Intermediate English

Linguapress.com Intermediate English

British life : An intermediate level English resource.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th 2022, after 70 years on the British throne. She has been succeeded by her eldest son Charles. The man who, until September 2022 was "Prince Charles" is now King Charles III

8th September 2022. This text has been rewritten to take account of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Very few people alive in Britain today remember the time when Britain last had a king. Elizabeth II was Queen of England for 70 years, from 1952 to 2022, so only the very oldest people remember the last king, her father George VI.

Queen Elizabeth has marked life and times in Britain for the past seven decades, and since her death, Britain has entered a new period of history. The Second Elizabethan age is over.
For millions of people in Britain, and in other countries too, the death of the Queen has been like losing a grandmother, since the Queen was part of national life, part of the national family, and a very popular figure. Opinion polls in 2020 showed that over 80% of people in Britain appreciated the Queen.
There has been a moment of national trauma following her death; the Queen was not just "a royal", she was the Queen, a person whose image people see every day, and will continue to see for some time, on coins, on banknotes, on stamps, in magazines, in public places.

King Charles III

While Charles is not unpopular, he is less appreciated than his mother the Queen, and less popular than his son Prince William.
Charles was born in 1948, and has spent his life in the shadow of the Queen. He has the image of a gentleman farmer, and is still actively involved in the agricultural life of his estates. Like his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was president of the WWF, Charles is very concerned about the environment and the natural world, and his farms are known for their organic produce. Indeed, Charles's farms became organic in 1985, long before the organic boom of recent years, and "Duchy Organic", set up by Charles, is one of the biggest brands of organic foods in the UK, sold in the Waitrose supermarkets.

William has now become the new Prince of Wales - the historic title of the heir to the throne

Charles has also spent a lot of time trying to help underprivileged youth in Britain's inner cities. His "Prince's Trust" is a charity that has helped thousands of kids from poor parts of Britain's cities to get good training and good jobs. He has also been active on the world stage, and in 2020 he encouraged world leaders at the Davos summit "to reset capitalism", in order to prevent the worst effects of climate change. As a prince, he could say and do what he wanted; as Head of State, he will have to be more neutral. That may be difficult for him.
How long will Charles be king? Not as long as his mother, that is sure. He came to the throne at the age of 73, an age when most people are thinking more about retirement than taking up a big and important job. If he lives as long as his mother, he will remain king for over 20 years, longer than most heads of state..
If he is a good king, then one day he will probably be succeeded by his elder son William. Few people want Britain to become a republic. A poll in 2012 showed that 80% of people in Britain wanted the monarchy to continue, with only 13% wanting a republic. Perhaps this is understandable; in Britain, as in many other countries, politicians are not particularly popular these days! God save the King !

WORD GUIDE
poll: a study of what people think - decade: period of (about) ten years - trauma: shocked sadness- a royal*: a member of the Royal Family- elder, eldest: older, oldest * - legendary: mythical, invented - heir: successor, person who comes next - estate: domain, large farm - concerned: worried, anxious - produce: things that are made or produced - set up: established, created - brands: commercial names - underprivileged: people who do not have much money or much opportunity - prevent: stop - eventually: in the end, one day - remain: continue to be- carry out: do, perform .

* Vocabulary notes: elder, eldest. These are comparative and superlative forms of old. There is no such word as eld. Elder and eldest imply relative age, not absolute oldness, and are only used of people. So a two-year-old could be an elder child.
A royal. The adjective royal has been used as a noun in popular English since the late 20th century. It is very common in the media, since the alternative, a member of the Royal Family, is rather long.

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Student Worksheet

1. Questions from answers.

Here are six answers: write the questions, using the prompts indicated. Each of your questions must have at least seven words.

Seventy years.

King George VI.

Because she was like a national grandmother.

In certain supermarkets.

No, they don't.

No they are not.

2. Verb forms and tenses

Put the verbs into the correct tense or form, using the prompts given in brackets.
In some cases you will need to add an auxiliary (helper) verb and /or a modal verb. In some cases there may be a choice of answer, specially where modal verbs are used.

For teachers

Free expression. Have students say something about the Queen.

Notes:

Titles in the monarchy (regnal names). Charles III is pronounced "Charles the third"

And if you were wondering.......
King or king ? The generally accepted rule is that as a title, the word King is spelt with a capital K; as a job it spelt with a small k. The same is true for Queen or queen, etc.

This teaching resource is © copyright Linguapress 2021 updated 2022 . Republication on other websites or in print is not authorised.

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Linguapress Intermediate English Linguapress.com Intermediate English British life : An intermediate level English resource. Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th 2022, after 70 years on the British throne. She has been succeeded by her eldest son Charles. The man who, until September 2022 was "Prince Charles" is now King Charles III 8th September 2022.

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King Charles, his coronation and the future - Intermediate English

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Charles III will be crowned on 6th May 2023; the future of the monarchy is in his hands

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Advanced Reading | Job Descriptions | esl-lounge Student

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Do you like eating out? Check out these reviews of the trendiest places to eat and improve your reading skills.

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These Three-Ingredient Cheese Biscuits Look Like They Shouldn’t Work, But They Do

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Skip the coffee shop and make our homemade chai latte instead. Use storecupboard spices like cinnamon and cardamom to recreate this Indian-inspired tea.

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Clove Tea :  7 Benefits of Drinking One Glass Every Day

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neutral

/ˈnjuːtr(ə)l/

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OK the origin of the word

1 the most recognisable word in history

2we use it to  communicate with technology

2a/we use it EVERYWHERE , every language

3 first appeared in 1830

4 on the 23rd of March 1839  in newspapers

4a/OK  means ALL CORRECT

5 government used it to make propaganda and the lost election , but it turned out bad ...orful K-conspiracy , orful K-catastrophe

6 the letter K is unusual . 22nd place in the alphabet when it comes to frequency , JQYX

7 invention of TELEGRAPH 1844

8 easy to use and in 1865 transmitted messages are only valid if you receive OK, law abiding, everyone must follow

8a/ Marketing use , for the special look of the letter K

9 NEUTRAL answer to many questions , WITHOUT EMOTIONS, when you get home okay , that means that you arrived unharmed

10 the FIRST WORD spoken ON THE MOON  on 20th July 1969

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Past Simple or Past Perfect Simple Exercise | English4u

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Past simple or past perfect - English online grammar exercise.

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Approval-final inspection

Last week, the client received a new geometric plan, which contained new facts, and  due to these adjustments, the bank prepares new contracts.Therefore  we have currently suspended proceedings at the cadastral office . There are some errors ,in the geometric plan ,that need to be corrected .
Our priority is to have  a valid security established as soon as possible. This is a long and tedious process, the approval decision is problematic due to  problems with the general supplier/contractor .

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If I were a millionaire - (Second conditional) - A2 English listening test - Test-English

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Listening comprehension test for beginners and elementary students (CEFR A2 level). What would you do if ...? English listening test.

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The Fox and The Stork - Aesop’s fables - Liz Story Planet

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The Fox and The Stork, one of the popular stories to help kids to stop making fun of others’ limitations and accept others

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My friends - A2 English listening test - Test-English

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Listening comprehension test - pre-intermediate (CEFR A2 level). Prepare for Cambridge A2 KEY (KET), IELTS (3.5), or TOEIC (225 - 545).

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It's important to learn a good range of family vocabulary as there's a high chance you'll get questions about your family in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test.

The topic could also come up in Parts 2 and 3 as well as being the subject of the Writing, Listening or Reading tests.

Here are a few things you could be asked about:

This page includes over 100 common words and phrases related to the family. I've added an explanation for each one and a sample sentence to show it in context where needed. This will help you to learn how to use this family vocabulary correctly.

Don't try to learn them all. Look at my suggestions below as to the best way to use this list.

To ensure that you're well prepared to answer any family-related question, I've included four things here:

You'll find PDF downloads of both the questions and sample answers and the family vocabulary list at the bottom of the respective sections.

The questions relate to the Speaking test because this part of the exam offers the broadest range of possible questions on this topic. They give the best opportunity for me to demonstrate the vocabulary and for you to practise using it.

I've included IELTS-style questions and answers for all three parts of the Speaking test. I've highlighted keywords and phrases in bold.

You'll find these words and phrases, and many others, in the vocabulary list beneath. The list also includes the explanations and sample sentences and there's an audio to listen to the pronunciation.

The vocabulary list contains words and phrases relevant to all parts of the IELTS exam.

Finally, at the bottom of the page, I've added links to topical articles, short videos and podcasts that will help you to improve both your family vocabulary and your reading and listening skills.

IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Common family vocabulary is highlighted in bold.

1) How many people are there in your immediate family?

Four people make up my immediate family - my dad, my and my two . They all live close to me except for my youngest brother who moved away because of his work.

Most definitely. I used to argue with my and a lot when we were. It was sibling rivalry I guess but we really well now.

Just a few weeks ago. It was for my birthday. We had a get-together at his house and we all took along cakes and snacks to share.

One of the most memorable events of recent years was my 80 th birthday. We wanted to have a special celebration for him but decided to keep it a secret so as to surprise him on the day.

My youngest , who lives two and a half hours drive away from the rest of my immediate family, told Dad that he'd come down with his so we could all go out for a meal together. What we actually did was to invite members of ourextended family to come as well without my knowing. Most of them live a long way away, like in London or Scotland, so we don't see them very often. They came down the day before and stayed in local hotels.

There was a lot to arrange and it was difficult to sort everything without Dad guessing what we were up to. There were several times when I thought he must know something was going on but was just playing along and pretending he didn't.

We arranged for Dad and Mum to be the last to arrive so that everyone else could be seated at the table waiting for them. I'll never forget Dad's face when he walked into the restaurant. He hadn't guessed what we were arranging and it was a real surprise to him to see everyone there.

We had a lovely meal together but the best thing was spending time with all our . It made me realize what a close-knit family we are even though we don't see each other very often. I think that Dad enjoyed it too and I hope it showed him how much he means to our whole .

1) In what ways can people in a family be similar to each other?

Also, may be good at the same things or do similar types of work. Most of my extended family are either teachers or scientists.

The final way that people in a family can be is in their personality, and especially in their sense of humour.

In my opinion, personality is mostly hereditary. I think that the main traits of a person's character are passed down from to their . Some people are more like their , others more like their but most of us can recognise characteristics of both in our own personality. For example, I'm quiet like my dad and have my mum's creativity.

How children are also affects the way they think, feel and behave as they grow up. Kids from a happy, stable family background generally have a normal personality. However, an unhappy , which may include some form of abuse, will definitely affect a child's mental development and their character later in life.

This suggests that personality can change so it's probably true that the people we spend time with as friends and colleagues also influence the way we think, feel and behave. However, I don't think that they alter our deepest character.

In the past, the older generation was highly respected in most cultures. They were considered to be wise because of all the things they'd learnt in their long lives. Elderlyfamily members would have been leaders, teachers and spiritual guides to the younger generation. They helped to maintain the structure and stability of the .

One of their most important roles was to pass on the old traditions and to maintain traditional culture. The other vital job they did, especially the grandmothers, was to provide for their grandchildren. They would certainly have played an important role in theirupbringing.

In my country, most of this changed when it became normal for adult children to move away to study and get better jobs. Family ties are no longer so strong and elderly people aren't respected as they once were.Grandparents aren't the people we usually go to for advice these days. To be honest, many elderly people don't have a significant role in most families any more. However, many do still thegrandchildren if they live close to them.
* Important
I recommend that you create your own answers to the Speaking questions on this page. You will find many other IELTS-style practise questions by searching online.

For help on how to learn vocabulary, what to learn and how to record it, visit these pages:

Top 6 Types of IELTS Vocabulary & Topic Word Lists

Family Vocabulary - Common Words & Phrases

Family Vocabulary Set 2: Family Members - General Terms

- I have family members living all over the world.

- I'm related to many people in my village as my family has lived here for generations.

- We are going to visit relatives who live on the coast for our holiday this year.

- Aunty Sylvia is my blood relative but Uncle George, her husband, is only related to me by marriage.

- A member of my family died last week but they were a distant relative and I didn't know them very well.

- When you apply for a passport, you have to name your next of kin in case there is an emergency while you are away travelling.

- I'm writing my autobiography so that my descendants will know what life was like for one of their ancestors.

- There are now only three people in my household as my older brother has gone away to university.

breadwinner - the member of a family who earns most of the money that the family needs

- In many countries, men are expected to be the breadwinner in a family.

- I'm working hard to get a promotion and earn more money now that I'm a husband and a father and have dependants who rely on me.

- Paul and Siri were unable to have children of their own and decided to adopt a baby.

- Even though I'm an only child, I always had other boy's and girl's to play with when I was growing up as mum and dad often used to foster other children.

- Overprotective parents can prevent their children from building confidence and independence.

- I don't like playing with the girl next door because she's a spoilt child and gets in a temper if I don't let her win all the games.

single parent - a person bringing up a child or children without a partner

- My sister is a single parent now that her husband has left her.

a parent who stays at home to take care of their children rather than going out to work

- These days, it's far more usual for men to be a stay-at-home parent than when I was young when it was always the mother who looked after the kids.

- I'm going to look after my daughter's children on Saturday while she has a day out with her friends.

- Childcare is a big problem for many working parents and they are lucky if their own parents can help out.

- My parents are very strict with me and I have to finish all my homework before I'm allowed to play or watch TV.

- My father was very authoritarian when I was growing up and I was terrified of him.

- It's hard to believe how much everyday life has changed for my grandparent's generation.

- The older generation are often stuck in their ways, while the younger generation welcome change.

a difference of opinions between one generation gap - generation and another regarding beliefs and attitudes, often leading to a lack of understanding between them

- It's a skilled politician who can bridge the generation gap.

- My lovely little boy turned into a rebellious monster when he was a teenager but now he's a lovely young man.

- Many adolescents develop emotional problems as they try to find their place in the world.

Ways to Improve Your Family Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve your family vocabulary is through reading. Watching topic related YouTube videos and listening to podcasts is also hugely beneficial.

Here are some online resources I recommend.

Articles About the Family

Australian Institute of Family Studies

Raising Children - The Australian Parenting Website

The Independent - Family
The New York Times - Family
I love TED Talks. They are short videos with a powerful message and are generally very interesting. They're ideal for improving your vocabulary and give valuable listening skills practise.

Search TED Talks - The Family & TED Talks - Parenting to help you improve your family vocabulary.

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IELTS Family Vocabulary - Words, Phrases & Questions - IELTS Jacky

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Learning family vocabulary is important preparation for your exam as 'the family' is a very common IELTS topic. Find over 100 useful words & phrases, plus practise IELTS-style questions & answers with PDF downloads & other resources. All created to make your life easier.

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Listen to the lecturer giving some facts and figures to practise and improve your listening skills.

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1/how many people are there in your immediate family?
2/do you get along well with your family?
3/which member of your family are you closest to?
4/when did you last have a family party?

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упражнения на времена

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Exercise 6 for the future tenses. Choose the most appropriate answer. Упражнение 6 на времена будущего времени. Выберите наиболее подходящий ответ.

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упражнения на времена

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Exercise 5 for the present and past tenses. Choose the most appropriate answer. Упражнение 5 на времена настоящего и прошедшего времени. Выберите наиболее подходящий ответ.

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English Language Study JavaScript Quiz (I-TESL-J)

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This is an interactive multiple-choice JavaScript quiz for students of English as a second language.