2) Listening skills - dedicate my time not only on class' listening practice, but also additionally to listen more podcasts and interviews to develop listening comprehension

3) Reflect on what I learn and draw a conclusion from what I have learned throughout the semester

• The cast of that film was incredible

2) Extra - a person who is employed to play a small part in a film, usually as a member of a crowd

• She hired an extra to fill out the background scene

3) Plot - a story of a film

• The plot of the film "Shutter Island" is mesmerizing

4) Script - the words of a film

• He was learning his script for the audition

5) Set - the place where a film is being shot; the scenery used for a film or play

• A set of the film was in the jungles

6) Western - film genre about American Old West between the eighteenth century and nineteenth century

• My friend hates western movies, because it is so boring

7) Review - an article which gives an opinion about a new film

• I read the review of the film and decided to watch it

8) Sequel - a film which continues the story of a earlier film

• The sequel of the "Hobbit" is literally perfect

9) Dubbed film - film that has been translated from its original language into another language

• She doesn't like to watch dubbed films, because it doesn't show real manner of talking of the character

10) Critic - a person who writes films reviews for the press

• The critic wrote a film review, which included rude wording

• I showed thumb up when she did a great work in the class

2) Nod - downward head movement

• My mother nodded to show that she agrees with me

3) Whistle - high-pitched sound which is made by blowing air

• He can't whistle, so he just called me in a loud voice

4) Index finger - finger that is usually used to point

• He said that pointing at someone with the index finger is rude

5) Pinky finger - smallest finger

• My sister has a ring on her pinky finger

6) Bridge - part at the top of the nose that joins your eyes together

• I have an incredible bridge piercing

7) Nostrils - two holes in the nose for breathing

• He has wide nostrils

8) Iris - colored part of the eye around the pupil

• Her eyes had beautiful green irises

9) Waist - narrow part of the body between ribs and hips

• His hands were on her waist

10) Thigh - upper part of the leg between hip and knee

• She has a muscular thighs

• I studied in the boarding school for 3 years

2) Nursery - a school for young kids before the primary school

• My little brother attends nursery school

3) Be expelled - to be kicked out of school for misbehavior

• He was expelled for breaking school rules

4) Cheat - copying or getting help during a test or exam

• She was unfairly cheating during the exam

5) Terms - school year is divided into terms, which is equal intervals of time

• School year finishes on the third term

6) Pupils - children at primary school

• Pupils have fun each break

7) Kindergarten - preschool for children under the age of five

• My sister learned to read in the kindergarten

8) Grade - children are divided into age groups which are grades

• I was in the 10th grade two years ago

9) State school - schools that are paid by the government and education is free

• State schools are better, because they are free

10) Private school - schools where parents have to pay for their children

• My friend studied in the private school for 10 years

• My mom stores old stuff in the attic

2) Basement - the lowest floor of a house

• The basement of our house was really dark

3) Path - a way to walk, which is often made of pavement

• The path to my school is really dirty

4) Gate - a door in a wall

• The gate to the garden was locked

5) Chimney - structure on the roof of the house

• There was a smoke from the chimney

6) Fireplace - place where people burn wood and coal

• We gathered around the fireplace to feel warm

7) Ceiling - top part of the room

• She saw a spider on a ceiling

8) Outskirts - the edges of a city

• My friend lived on the outskirts of town

9) Suburb - a neighborhood outside the city center

• They grew up in a quiet suburb

10) Entrance - way to get inside the building

• Use the front entrance in my house

• My grandmother decided to retire after working so many years as a doctor

2) Do overtime - work extra hours beyond the regular work schedule

• They had to do overtime to finish their group project

3) Got promoted - receiving a higher position in a job

• He got promoted to head's secretary after years of working

4) Was sacked - being fired from a job

• My sister was sacked from her job

5) Work shifts - work during specific periods of time (day, evening, etc)

• Nurses often work shifts that include night hours

6) Made redundant - losing a job due to no longer being necessary

• Nurses were made redundant, because the hospital closed

7) Resign - voluntarily leaving a job

• He decided to resign from his job to work in the different field

8) Freelance - to work independently for different clients

• I do freelance, so I can work on different projects

9) Temporary - lasting for a limited time

• Being a manager was a temporary job for him

10) Qualify - standards necessary for a particular position

• My brother finally qualified as a doctor, after studying for years

• He returned the shirt and got a refund at the store

2) Bargain - Getting something for a lower price than usual

• My sister found a great bargain on shoes during the sale

3) Complaint - Telling someone you're unhappy about something

• I made a complaint about the noisy neighbors

4) Credit card - A card you can use to buy things and pay later

• My mother used his credit card to buy groceries at the supermarket

5) Compensation - Getting something in return for a problem or mistake

• The company offered compensation for the late delivery

6) Basket - A container for holding items while shopping online

• Add the items you want to buy to your online shopping basket

7) Trolley - A wheeled cart for carrying groceries or goods in a store

• They pushed the trolley through the aisles to fill it with groceries

8) Receipt - A paper showing what you bought and how much you paid

• Don't forget to keep your receipt in case you need to return the item

9) Discount - Paying less than the original price for something

• She got a 10% discount on the new phone during the promotion

10) Debit card - A card that lets you pay directly from your bank account

• I can pay with my debit card at the checkout

• She made a call from the phone box on the corner of the street

2) Hitchhike - Getting a ride from someone by asking along the road

• He decided to hitchhike to the next town rather than taking the bus

3) A ticket inspector - Someone who checks tickets on public transport

• The ticket inspector checked everyone's tickets on the train

4) Petrol - Fuel for cars and other vehicles

• Don't forget to fill up the car with petrol before the trip

5) Fortune - A large amount of money or wealth

• They inherited a fortune from their wealthy dad

6) Lottery - A game where people can win money or prizes by chance

• He bought a lottery ticket hoping to win the jackpot

7) Queue - A line of people waiting for something

• We stood in the queue for an hour to buy concert tickets

8) Delay - Making something happen later than planned

• The flight was delayed by two hours due to bad weather

9) Principle - A belief or rule that guides your behavior

• She stood by her principles and refused to cheat on the test

10) Ill - Feeling sick or unwell

• He stayed home from work because he felt ill

• I need to plug in my phone charger to charge the battery

2) Plug - Something you insert into a socket to connect to electricity

• Don't forget to unplug the toaster after you use it

3) Remote control - A device for operating electronic devices from a distance

• Use the remote control to change the TV channel

4) Socket - A hole where you plug in an electrical device

• The lamp's plug fits perfectly into the socket on the wall

5) Router - A device that sends data between computer networks

• The router allows multiple devices to connect to the internet

6) Adaptor - A device that lets you use different plugs or connections

• I used an adaptor to plug my laptop

7) Switch - A device for turning something on or off

• Turn off the lights using the switch near the door

8) Keyboard - A set of keys for typing on a computer or typewriter

• I typed the report on my computer's keyboard

9) Memory stick - A small device for storing and transferring data

• Save the document onto the memory stick for easy transfer

10) Speaker - A device that produces sound, like for music or talking

• The speaker played music loudly at the party

• She's an influential leader in our community.

2) Breakthrough - A significant development or achievement that advances knowledge or solves a problem.

• The new medicine was a breakthrough in treating the disease.

3) Child prodigy - A young person with exceptional talent or skill in a particular area, often beyond their age.

• The young pianist is a child prodigy.

4) Monk - A member of a religious community who lives a life of devotion and often follows strict rules.

• The monk meditates every morning.

5) Muse - A source of inspiration, especially for artistic creativity.

• Nature is her muse for painting.

6) Bankrupt - Unable to pay debts and legally declared insolvent.

• The company went bankrupt last year.

7) Tap dancer - A dancer who uses the sound of tap shoes striking the floor as part of their performance.

• She's a talented tap dancer.

8) Iconic - Widely recognized and admired as a symbol of a particular idea, movement, or era.

• The red double-decker bus is an iconic symbol of London.

9) Red phone box - A traditional British telephone booth painted in red, often seen as a symbol of British culture.

• There's a red phone box on the corner of the street.

10) Prominent - Well-known, important, or noticeable in a particular context or field.

• He's a prominent figure in the music industry.

Active voice is when the subject of a sentence performs the action. For example, "The cat chased the mouse." Here, "the cat" is the subject doing the action, which is chasing.

Passive voice is when the subject of a sentence receives the action. For example, "The mouse was chased by the cat." Here, "the mouse" is the subject receiving the action of being chased by "the cat."

Make a sentence from active voice to passive:

1) The chef prepares delicious meals

• Delicious meals are prepared by the chef

2) She sings a beautiful song

• A beautiful song is sung by her

3) They clean the house every day

• The house is cleaned every day by them

4) The company manufactures high-quality products

• High-quality products are manufactured by the company

5) The teacher explains the lesson to the students

• The lesson is explained to the students by the teacher

6) The gardener waters the plants regularly

• The plants are watered regularly by the gardener

Modals of deduction are used to express how certain or probable we think something is.

1. Must: used when we are certain about something.

2. Might: used when we think something is possible but we're not very sure.

3. May: Similar to "might," "may" suggests possibility, but it's slightly more formal.

4. Could: "Could" is used to talk about possibilities or abilities.

5. Can't: When we are quite certain that something is not true, we use "can't."

Modals of deduction:

1) Do you remember my birthday party last year? You _____ remember! It was the same day as your graduation

• must

2) Come in and sit down. You _____ be tired after the journey

• must

3) Whose is this coat? It _____ be Paul's. It's way too small for him

• can't

4) The exam results will be out soon. It _____ be this week or possibly next week

• might

5) She always gets such good grades at school. She _____ work very hard

• must

The first conditional is used to talk about situations that are likely to happen or have a high probability of occurring based on a certain condition being met in the present or future.

if (condition in present simple), (result in future simple)

if (condition in present simple), (modal verb + base form of the verb for result)

First conditional + future clauses:

1) I ____ you an answer when I have one

• will give

2) I'll call you as soon as I ____

• arrive

3) When you read this email, I ____ on a plane to Germany

• will be

4) I won't stay unless you ____

• stay

5) If you don't find him, you ____ call

• should

6) He won't stop until he ____ what he wants

• gets

7) ____ if I give you the address?

• Will you go

8) If he knows that you are here, he ____ to contact you

• might try

The second conditional is used to discuss imaginary or unreal situations and their possible outcomes. It is structured to show what could happen if the condition were true, even though the condition is unlikely or impossible.

if (condition in past simple), (modal verb + base form of the verb for result)

if (condition in past simple), (would + base form of the verb for result)

Second conditional:

1) If I ____ more money, I'd travel more

• had/would have

2) What would you do if you ____ a lot of money in the street?

• had found/found

3) A lot of health problems could be prevented if people ____ better

• to eat/ate

4) If I had her number, I ____ her; but I don't have it

• 'd call/calling

5) Our kids would be happier if we ____ in the country

• had lived/lived

Gerunds and infinitives are verb forms that function as nouns in a sentence.

• Gerunds: These are verbs that end in "-ing" and function as nouns. They can be used as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.

• Infinitives: These are the base form of a verb preceded by "to" (e.g., "to run," "to eat"). Infinitives can also function as nouns and can be used as subjects, objects, or complements.

Gerunds and infinitives:

1) ____ used to be my favorite hobby at your age

• Fishing/fish

2) We talked about ____ together next summer

• to travel/travelling

3) I remember ____ here when I was a child

• being/to be

4) I think I didn't remember ____ the door when we left

• locking/to lock

5) If she doesn't answer, try ____ her mobile

• calling/call

6) I tried ____ my eyes open, but I eventually fell asleep

• keeping/to keep

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is when we report what someone else said without quoting their exact words.

Reported speech:

1) "He works in a bank."

• She said that he worked in a bank.

2) "We went out last night."

• She said that they had gone out last night.

3) "I'm coming!"

• She said that she was coming.

4) "I was waiting for the bus when he arrived."

• She said that she had been waiting for the bus when he arrived.

5) "I'd never been there before."

• She said that she had never been there before.

6) "I didn't go to the party."

• She said that she hadn't gone to the party.

7) "Lucy will come later."

• She said that Lucy would come later.

The third conditional is used to discuss unreal situations in the past and what could have been the outcome if the condition had been true, even though it was not. It is structured to show regret, hindsight, or the consequences of unrealized events.

if (condition in past perfect), (modal verb + have + past participle of the verb for result)

if (condition in past perfect), (would have + past participle of the verb for result)

Third Conditional:

1) If you ____ (not/be) late, we ____ (not/miss) the bus.

• [ hadn't been ][ wouldn't have missed ]

2) If she ____ (study) she ____ (pass) the exam.

• [ had studied ][ would have passed ]

3) If we ____ (arrive) earlier, we ____ (see) John.

• [ had arrived ][ would have seen ]

4) If they ____ (go) to bed early, they ____ (not/wake) up late.

• [ had gone ][ wouldn't have woken ]

5) If he ____ (become) a musician, he ____ (record) a CD.

• [ had become ][ would have recorded ]

Quantifiers are words used to express the quantity or amount of something in a sentence. They can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. Quantifiers also help provide clarity in a sentence.

Quantifiers:

1) We haven't got _____ petrol. We need to stop and get some.

• a. much

• b. many

• c. little

2) We had ________ rain last autumn.

• a. a lot of

• b. much

• c. many

3) There was ________ food in the fridge. It was nearly empty.

• a. little

• b. a little

• c. few

4) You travel a lot. Have you been to _____ countries?

• a. much

• b. many

• c. few

5) It costs _____ money to give your children a good education.

• a. much

• b. many

• c. a lot of

Relative clauses are clauses that provide additional information about a noun in a sentence. They begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (when, where, why) and function as adjectives, adding detail to the noun they modify.

1. Defining Relative Clauses: These clauses provide essential information about the noun.

2. Non-defining Relative Clauses: These clauses provide additional information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence

Relative clauses:

1) I have a friend ____ speaks four languages.

• who

2) The Internet is a place ____ you can get cheap technology products.

• where

3) E-mails ____ advertise things are called "spam".

• which

4) A "technophobe" is someone ____ is scared of technology.

• that

5) We should only buy products ____ can be recycled.

• that

6) That's the shop ____ I bought those shoes.

• where

Firstly, expanding my vocabulary and using more complex words in real-life situations has been a journey. By actively incorporating new words into conversations and practicing them in various contexts, I've noticed a marked improvement in my language fluency. One of the best things is that I'm finally able to clearly remember many words that are simple from the first sight, but I couldn't remember them before.

Secondly, dedicating time to improve my listening skills has been immensely rewarding. Alongside class listening practice, I've listened podcasts and interviews, which has enhanced my listening comprehension.

Also, I really liked creative tasks that I had throughout the English B1 class. Especially, the last task, where we had to dub one scene from any movie. It was truly mesmerizing and such a fascinating experience.

As a conclusion, in English B1 class I was able to revise on everything I learned before and look at it in a different perspective.

Question tags are short questions added at the end of a statement to confirm information, seek agreement, or elicit a response from the listener. They often consist of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun, and their form depends on the tense and structure of the main sentence.

Question tags:

1) You are a student, ____?

• aren't you

2) It isn't too cold today, ____?

• is it

3) He was at the concert, ____?

• wasn't he

4) You like chocolate, ____?

• don't you

5) She arrived too late, ____?

• didn't she

6) Tom couldn't find the place, ____?

• could he

7) Henry and Juliet have just arrived, ____?

• haven't they

• The fingerprint was important evidence in the investigation.

2) Murderer - Someone who unlawfully kills another person.

• The police arrested the murderer last night.

3) Suspects - People believed to be involved in a crime.

• The detectives questioned several suspects about the robbery.

4) Victims - Those harmed or affected negatively by an event or crime.

• The victims of the accident were taken to the hospital.

5) Witnesses - Individuals who saw or have knowledge of an event.

• There were several witnesses who saw the crime happen.

6) Inhabitants - People living in a specific area.

• The town has about 15,000 inhabitants.

7) DNA - the chemical in the cells of the animals and plants that carries genetic information.

• The suspect's DNA was found at the crime scene.

8) Murder - The illegal killing of a person.

• The murder shocked the entire neighborhood.

9) Prove - To demonstrate the truth or validity of something.

• Can you prove that you were at home during the incident?

10) Detectives - Law enforcement professionals who investigate crimes.

• The detectives are working hard to solve the case.

As you walk in, the cozy living room welcomes you with comfy furniture and lots of sunlight. It's perfect for relaxing alone or gathering with loved ones for chats and laughter.

Next to the living room, the kitchen is modern and easy to use. The dining area overlooks a serene garden, making meals a delightful experience surrounded by nature's beauty.

Upstairs, the main bedroom with its own balcony and a luxurious bathroom. Picture waking up to birdsong and fresh air, feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

There's also a space for work or hobbies, like a home office, where you can focus and be productive. And the cozy attic is a hidden gem, ideal for reading and yoga.

Outside, the garden is a peaceful oasis with colorful flowers and a charming gazebo. It's a place to unwind, take walks, or enjoy quiet moments with a book or a cup of tea.

Living in this dream house means embracing a lifestyle of tranquility and balance. It's about having everything you need nearby while surrounded by the calming beauty of nature.

• Name: Aina Ilgamova

• Age: 19

• Birthplace: Ufa, Russia

Education:

• Immigrated to Lagos, Nigeria, in grade 5.

• Learned English and French while living in Lagos.

• Moved to Cairo, Egypt, and studied under American teachers, learning Arabic and German.

• Returned to Russia, changed schools three times for better educational opportunities.

• Currently pursuing studies at SDU University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Skills and Attributes:

• Adaptability: Experienced in adapting to new environments due to frequent relocations.

• Multilingual: Learned English, Russian, Arabic, Tatar and Korean.

• Maturity: Developed a mature outlook through diverse experiences and challenges.

• Continuous Learner: Enjoys learning new things and values self-development.

• Resilience: Overcame challenges of changing environments, showcasing resilience and determination.

Summary: I am Aina Ilgamova, a resilient and adaptable individual who has navigated through diverse cultural and educational experiences. From my early years in Russia to my time living abroad I have honed my language skills and cultural understanding. Despite the challenges of changing schools and environments, I have developed maturity, adaptability, and a passion for continuous learning. Currently pursuing my education at SDU University in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I am driven by a thirst for knowledge and personal growth, making me a valuable asset in any setting.

1) -tion, -sion: action, discussion

(from act, discuss)

2) -ment: movement

(from move)

3) -ance, -ence: importance, difference

(from important, differ)

4) -er, -or: teacher, actor

(from teach, act)

5) -ing: reading

(from read)

6) -ity: creativity

(from create)

Suffixes that create verbs from nouns:

1) -ize, -ise: organize, advertise

(from organization, advertisement)

2) -en: shorten

(from short)

3) -ify: simplify

(from simple)

4)-ate: motivate

(from motive)

5) -ize: prioritize

(from priority)

6) -ify: identify

(from identity)

Imagine a world where the buzz of notifications fades into silence, and the glow of screens dims to darkness. This is the realm of digital detox, a refreshing pause.

In today's fast-paced digital world, the concept of digital detox has gained significant attention. Digital detox refers to taking a break from electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and social media platforms. While this practice has its advantages, it also comes with its own set of disadvantages.

One of the primary advantages of digital detox is improved mental health and better sleep quality. Constant exposure to digital screens and information overload can lead to stress, anxiety, and even addiction. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia. By disconnecting from screens before bedtime, individuals can experience deeper and more restful sleep, leading to increased energy levels and productivity during the day. Taking a break from digital devices allows individuals to recharge mentally, reduce stress levels, and improve overall well-being. It provides an opportunity to focus on real-life interactions, hobbies, and activities that promote relaxation and mindfulness.

One of the main disadvantages is the potential for social disconnection. In today's interconnected world, digital communication plays a crucial role in staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues, especially across long distances. Additionally, many essential services and resources are now primarily accessed online, from banking and shopping to educational materials and news updates. Disconnecting from digital platforms for an extended period may lead to feelings of isolation and missing out on important social interactions and updates.

In conclusion, digital detox offers several advantages, including improved mental health, better sleep quality, and enhanced productivity. However, it also comes with potential disadvantages such as social disconnection and limited access to information. The key lies in finding a balance that allows individuals to obtain the benefits of disconnecting from digital devices while still staying connected and informed in today's digital age.