An Opinion Essay

- Essay structure (basic)

- Useful expressions (basic)

- exercises to improve your writing skills (intermediate)

- Exercises to improve your writing skills (advanced)

- games to review structure and ideas (advanced)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 Learn how to make questions in English:

Exercise: question words

Exercise 1: write questions for the underlined words

Exercise 2: write questions for the underlined words

Exercise 3: pdf exercise with answers

REPORTED SPEECH

- NOTES ON REPORTED SPEECH (en español)  here.

- mixed EXERCISES

- reported speech exercises + text 

SELECTIVIDAD

DIRECTRICES Y ORIENTACIONES GENERALES PARA LAS PRUEBAS DE ACCESO Y ADMISIÓN A LA UNIVERSIDAD. Pincha aquí 

VERB TENSES REVISION

 Try the following exercises to revise verb tenses in English:

- past simple or present perfect: EX 1 (complete), EX 2 (choose), EX 3 (choose)

- past simple or past perfect simple: EX 1 (complete), EX 2 (choose), EX 3 (complete) EX 4 (text)

- present perfect or past perfect: EX 1 (choose) 

- present perfect continuous or past perfect continuous 

PDF with answers

          - Reading comprehension: Halloween, The Magic Touch, The Grass is Greener on the other Side

Relative Clauses Exercises

Relative pronoun - necessary or not? 
Choose the right answer
Defining or Non-Defining?
Choose the right option
Write one relative sentence by joining the following ones with a relative pronoun. Make the necessary changes and leave the relative pronoun when possible.

1.- The book is on the table. It was written by an old English novelist.

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2.- Here is a photograph of the hotel. We stayed there for a weekend.

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3.- We met a friend last week. Her husband is an engineer.

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4.- We visited the town. It lies at the source of the Danube.

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5.- David bought a new camera. It was made in Japan.

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6,. Ann found the money. Sam had lost it on his way to the library.

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7.- I know the girl. She is going to marry my cousin.

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8.- We live in a town near Madrid. In that town there are many shops.

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9.- A very interesting man wrote a letter to a newspaper. That man was born in England.

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10.-The castle stands above the town. It was built by the Normans.

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11.-Helen has a stamp collection. It contains many rare stamps.

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12.-I met a Japanese tourist. You would like him a lot.

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13.-He is a very funny person. In fact I don’t know anyone funnier.

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14.-She remembered my birthday. She was the only one to do so.

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15.-Peter is going to marry a girl. Her sister is my class.

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16.-The politician resigned. She had refused to support her party.

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17.-That is the school. As a child I was there.

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18.- Pilar and Gema are very nice girls. Their mother is a good friend of mine

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19.- Laura is making fun of all of us. I don’t understand it.

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20.- James wrote a biography on Mike Anderson. James’s father was a famous historian.

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CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Test: Type I, II and III
Fill in with the correct verb tense
Rephrasing conditional sentences
Choose the right answer:
I wish / if only

QUESTIONS

- make questions for the underlined words 1
- make questions for the underlined words 2

Essay mistakes: Should a 16 years old vote in national elections?

1) Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. The youngs have the right to vote.
2. The children isn't worried about politics.
3. We are in the 21th Century.
4. People who have 16 years old must learn about political parties.
5. The teens aren't mature enough to vote.
6. I think that vote in national elections should be for 18 years old people.
7. Who you should vote?
8. She knows many about the country.
9. Teens should demonstrate her education.
10. If a teenager hasn't knowledge about the country problems, he shouldn't vote.
11. They vote for her fathers.
12. Teens usually are rebels.
13. She is older than he.
14. Somebody should read the newspaper when they want to learn about social issues.

For and against essay

Write a For and Against Essay on the advantages and disadvantages of studying in a Private School. Write 100 – 150 words.

Ideas from your essays:
Introduction: private schools better or worse than public schools?
Advantages:
- better class atmosphere, education, facilities, technological devices and resources
- teachers have better formation
- students get better academic results in the university entrance exam
- easier places to teach: no behabiour problems
- less crowded classes
- you can decide on the way of thinking or the life style that you want to teach your children
- more demanding teachers
- you don't have to choose clothes / uniforms
Disadvantages:
- not all families can afford tuition fees
- less freedom
- promote social inequality
- uncomfortable uniforms
- more pressure
- isolation from the rest of the educative community.
- no schoolarships or grants
Conclusion:
If I could, I would choose to study in a ...because...

GRAMMAR REVISION

WRITE QUESTIONS:

1. Everyone who knew him and Olivia thought he adored her.

2. Stephen was down on his right knee.

3. His being there now was owing to some funny accident.

4. After orange juice and coffee Olivia felt ready for her role of the horrified widow.

5. The dressing gown she was wearing was long, pink and flimsy.

6.  The officer's weapon shone in the dark

7. He sent him out of the room so as to speak to the visitor about the affair.

8. Mrs Pitts had been trying to phone them every five minutes since 11.00 a.m.

9. The hammer appeared behind the laurel bushes by the front gate.

10. It stood there for 2 hours.

REPORTED SPEECH

1.       I’m living the adventure of my life,” Banderas said.

2.       “I was taught information technology in this course,” she said.

3.       My aunt said: “Single men should drive slowly if they want to live longer”

4.       He said: “We are here today to reach consensus”

5.       Julia said: “We will meet our new instructor tomorrow” 

6.       He said to one of them: “Let me see the streets once more before I die.

7.       “Please, don’t say anything to him”, he said

8.       “Don’t talk to me like that,” said his mother.

9.       He asked: “Do you often play rugby?”

10.   Michael asked her: “Where did you find these trainers?

PASSIVE VOICE

(ACTIVE INTO PASSIVE)

1. They awarded Helen a prize for her excellent marks.

2. They may ask Tom a few questions about his attendance.

3. Someone gave her a DVD player for Christmas.

4. Are they going to redecorate the shop during the holidays?

5. They’ll send her a free replacement next week.

(PASSIVE INTO ACTIVE)

1.       Speed limit has to be introduced gradually.

2.       The runways are being lengthened at all the main airports.

3.       The damaged ship was being towed into the harbour when the towline broke.

4.       The ship was put into quarantine and passengers and crew were forbidden to land.

5.       He was made to walk along a chalked line and repeat complicated tongue-twisters.

(IMPERSONAL PASSIVE)

1. People know that he is armed.

2. People believe that Germans drink a lot of beer.

3. People say that the Prime Minister and his wife are getting divorced.

4. They reported that the home team had won.

5. People think the government will fall.

RELATIVE CLAUSES

1.       I liked the house. Its roof was made of red tiles

2.       A spade is a tool. You dig with it.

3.       Here is the museum. I told you about it.

4.       I can't respect politicians. Their only ambition is to be in power.

5.       This is the man. We bought the ring from him.

6.       Where is the cassette? We listened to it.

REPHRASING

1.       She started drinking too much alcohol two years ago.- She has

2.       I don’t have a computer so I can’t type the essay on English grammar.- If

3.       Despite having been vaccinated she caught the flu.- Although she

4.    “We will arrest them for illegal entry in the country”, the policeman said.- The policeman said.
5. The teacher glued the pieces of the broken toy.- The pieces

Who am I?

Read the descriptions and guess the animals
Parts of Animals' bodies

BECA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 2017

Información beca Benjamin Franklin

Revision units 1-4

1) Reported Speech

1. “Don’t do it!” She ______________________________________________________________

2. “I’m leaving tomorrow” She ______________________________________________________

3. “Please get me a cup of tea” She __________________________________________________

4. “She got married last year” She ___________________________________________________

5. “Be quick!” She _________________________________________________________________

6. “Could you explain number four, please?” She _______________________________________

 7. “Where do you live?” She _______________________________________________________

8. “We went to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant” She __________________________

9. “I’ll come and help you at twelve” She ______________________________________________

10. “What are you doing tomorrow?” She ____________________________________________

11. “Don’t go!” She ______________________________________________________________

12. “Do you work in London?” She ___________________________________________________

13. “Could you tell me where the post office is?” She _____________________________________

14. “Come here!” She ______________________________________________________________

15. “I’ve never been to Wales” She __________________________________________________

16. “Have you ever seen ‘Lord of the Rings’?” She ________________________________________

17. “I don't like mushrooms” She ____________________________________________________

18. “Don't be silly!” She ____________________________________________________________

19. “Would you mind waiting a moment please?” She ____________________________________

20. “How often do you play sport?” She _______________________________________________

2) Match the modals or modal perfects in I with their uses in II.

I	II
1. Shall I help you with that heavy bag? ..... 2. You should have done all the homework. ..... 3. She didn’t answer the phone so she must have left..... 4. I need to clean my room. I promised mymum that I would. ..... 5. I think that they might have left. ..... 6. Would you sign your name here, please? ..... 7. It’s not fair. I ought to have received a prize too. 8. You mustn’t use this computer.	a. a logical conclusion about a past event b. formal request c. prohibition d. offer e. unfulfilled expectation f. obligation g. advice which was not followed h. a guess about something which happened

3) Choose the correct answer.

1. She (could walk / could have walked) before she was a year old.

2. The party was supposed to be a secret. You (shouldn’t say / shouldn’t have said) anything.

3. I’m not sure, but I (might leave / might have left) early tonight.

4. I’m not afraid to go alone. You (needn’t have come / needn’t come) with me.

5. It’s late. You (must be / must have been) very tired.

6. You (ought to introduce / ought to have introduced) me to your friends. I didn’t know anyone’s name.

4) Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use a modal perfect.

1. Nobody told her anything about the argument. She ....................................... (know) about it.

2. We arrived too early. We ....................................... (be) in such a hurry.

3. She ....................................... (leave) the office because her coat and bag aren’t here.

4. I ....................................... (drive) to work, but the weather was so nice that I decided to walk.

5. It’s possible that I ....................................... (forget) to tell Joe about the meeting.

6. You ....................................... (call) her on her birthday. She never forgets to call you.

5) Rewrite each sentence using a modal or modal perfect. There may be more than one answer.

1. It isn’t necessary for them to finish the job tonight. They ......................................................................................................

2. It’s possible that I took your jacket by mistake. I ...................................................................................................................... 

3. That man knows how to speak four languages. That man ......................................................................................................

4. I didn’t wear a sunhat, and now my head hurts. My head hurts. I..........................................................................................

5. It rained last night so the grass is wet. It .................................................................................................... . The grass is wet.

6. The man you saw wasn’t Jack. He’s been abroad since the summer. You ……........................................................................

6) Write questions for the underlined words.
1. Sally went to this school last year.
 2. There are eight denominations of euro coins.
3. Tourists have chosen new destinations. 
4. Stephen was down on his right knee. 
5. The child wants to go to the zoo. 
6. The child wants to go to the zoo. 
7. The child wants to go to the zoo. 
8. There is some orange juice in the fridge.  
9. Mrs Pitts had been trying to phone them every five minutes since 11.00 a.m. 
10. I spilt Peter's coffee on Mr Manson’s suit.

Conditional sentences.

7) Put the verbs in brackets into their correct tenses. There may be more than one possible answer.

1. If you ……………………(Go) away, please.................................(Write) to me.

2- If she …………………….(Be) in, I …………………. (Give) it to her. Now it’s too late.

3. My aunt ……………………(Be able to) help us if she…………………(Be) on time last night.

4. If my brother.........................(Eat) another cake, he...............................(Get) sick soon, that's why he won't.

5. If you……………………..(Heat) water, it……………………… (Boil).

6. If we ………..……(Go) to London for our holiday last year. We……………(See) The Tower of London.

7. I………………….(Speak) to Clement at the party if he………………….(Apologise) for what he said to me.

8. If I ……………………(Know) Rob's address in New York , I………………….(Visit) him.

9. I think Diane………………….. (Look) much nicer if she ………………………(Have) a new hairstyle.

10. She……………………(Look) better if she ……………………(Wear)a dress to go to the concert last night.

11. John…………………….(Not Get) such poor marks if he…………………………(Work) harder

12. If Katy………………………..(Be) taller, she………………………………(Play) in the ladies' volleyball team.

13. If the weather………………………….(Not Be) so bad last week, they……………………Go) for a excursion.

14. If I……………………….(Be) George. I…………………………….(Not Go) to the concert without a ticket

15. If Terry…………………………(Get up) earlier this morning, he………………………….(Tidy) the house instead of leaving it for his mother.

I wish / If only

8) Complete the sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence before it.

Example: I haven’t a job at the moment ---- If only/I wish I had a job

                 I’m not going to the party --------- If only/I wish I were going to the party

                 I married Myrtle instead of Francis -------- If only/I wish I had married Francis

                 You won’t ever wait for me -----------If only/I wish you would wait for me

We’ve run out of petrol -------- If only/I wish...............................................................

I’m taking a test tomorrow -------- If only/I wish..........................................................

This holiday has been a disaster -------- If only/I wish...................................................

It’s snowing outside -------- If only/I wish....................................................................

People at work always shout at me ----- If only/I wish...................................................

I acted very rudely in front of the headmaster -------- If only/I wish................................

I don’t know how to ride a bicycle -------- If only/I wish.................................................

WRITING A SHORT STORY

- Read the text and answer the questions

pdf

- Read the text and aswer the questions 2

SHAKE UP CHRISTMAS (by Train)

Shake up Christmas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-8VCL4uSUc

Shake up the happiness Wake up the happiness Shake up the happiness It's Christmas time 1) Choose the right words. There was an  allegory / a  story that I was told And I want to tell the world before I get too bold / old And don't remember / dismember  it, so let's December it / eat And reassemble it, oh yeah 2) Complete with words. Once upon a time in a ________________ like this A little _____________ made a great big wish To fill the world full of _______________ And be on Santa's magic _______________ 3) Sing the chorus Shake it up, shake up the happiness Wake it up, wake up the happiness Come on all, it's Christmas time ( x 2) Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, It's Christmas time 4) Match the sentences. At the same town A little boy made That the world would And Santa Clause would hear him say a wish that day miles away be ok 5) Order the lines a) Can you send some happiness with my best b ) I got dreams and I got love c) To the rest of the people of east and the west d) I got my feet on the ground and family above

6) Unscramble the letters in bold. And eaymb every once in a while __________________ You give my grandma a sonera to smile _____________ 'Tis the ssonea to smile _____________ It's cold but we'll be freezing in teyls _______________ 7) Complete the stanza with these verbs: run / let / open / meet And let me ____________ a girl one day That wants to spread some love this way We can __________ our souls __________ free And she can __________ some happiness with me chorus 8) Find the mistake in this stanza: I know you're out there I hear your reindeer I see the snow wear Your boots have been 9) Write a synonym for the following words and complete: 1. exhibit: s _____________ 2. be aware of: k______________ 3. increase: g____________ 4. have faith: b__________________ I'm gonna _____________ them So they will ______________ then Then love will _____________ in They _________________ again

10) Find a word in the text for the following definitions:

1) _____________  to put back together.

2) ______________ something you want or desire.

3) ______________ units of distance on land in English-speaking countries: 1 unit equals to 5280 feet or 1.609 kilometers

4) _______________ to (cause to) be distributed over an area of space or time