Sad Christmas

Can we all say that Christmas is always a time for happiness and joy? Actually, this year is rather Sad Christmas with all the consequences of the fast floods in Valencia or Letur in Albacete, with all those people without homes, vehicles... without anything, but mud.

 

In addition we have conflicts and wars everywhere. There are close friends or relatives who are no longer with us. Shouldn't we perhaps stop for a minute and think about all this instead of only having selfish dreams?

 

My little contribution is to help my students to make an effort in order to achieve their dreams and goals in life, become happy and try to change this world, this state of things and work for better living conditions for everyone.

 

Learn about the topic: Christmas  

 

 Here's my two musical hints for today: Pipes of Peace by Paul McCartney (lyrics) and Somewhere over the Rainbow by Ray Charles (lyrics).

 

 

 

 

Road towards success in the new PAU (Selectivity exam).....

 

Modals rephrasing

 

SIMPLE MODALS I ⭐ 

1.   It’s possible that Jane will visit Switzerland next year. (could) 

2.   I’m thinking about taking Spanish lessons. (may) 

3.   I’m sure they’ll be home by now. (must) 

4.   James definitely isn’t eighteen yet! (can’t) 

5.   It’s possible the weather will be sunny tomorrow. (might) 

6.   I'm sure she's at home. (must) 

7.   I know that isn't Janet-She's in America. (can’t) 

8.   I'm sure she thinks I'm stupid. (must) 

9.   I bet I look silly in this coat. (must) 

10.  They're always buying new cars. I'm certain they have a lot of money. (must) 

11.  I'm sure he's not a teacher. He's too well dressed. (can’t) 

12.  You're an architect? I'm sure that's an interesting job. (must) 

13.  I'm sure you're not serious. I know you're joking. (must) 

14.  I'm sure he's got another woman. He keeps coming home late. (must) 

15.  This water is possibly dangerous. (could) 

16.  Politics is sometimes really boring. (can)

 

 

Solution to the exercises in the previous post

 

 

Rephrasing

11. He tried to speak in English.    12.  Where did you spend your holidays?

13. This is the man whose job is very dangerous.    14. I’ve had my television repaired (by the engineer)

15. She stopped going to French lessons.   16. I wish I hadn’t hit the dog on the head.

17. You are better at English than me.    18. Who knew where the thief was hidden?

19. Unless your friend comes before ten, he will miss the train.

20. As it was raining, the children stayed at home.

Here are some activities for you to do:

• Real Easy English:   Talking about HEALTH  (BBC Learning English)
  

• 
  

  Conditionals with Georgie: Mixed Conditionals 2  (BBC Learning English)

• Business jargon: Jargon about ideas  (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do:   Having acne  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

   

   

 

 

Quizz: Fill the gap (BBC Learning English)

 

 

 

"All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl"

Learn English with English podcast for learning English  Talk about daily routine

 

 

Would it have been possible if it hadn't been Nadal?

 Rafael Nadal the movie   

We are almost done, here's the final sprint...

 

To be taken with a pinch of salt

 

Nowadays, everything is to be taken with a pinch of salt. If you listen to the listening exercise below (6 Minute English). There are so many fake news going around that you don't really know what the truth is.

 

Anyway, something is for sure: Can you tell me the peculiarity of the word 'doubt' regarding its way to pronounce?

 

"We wouldn't have probably had so many cases of fake news and doubts if Internet hadn't been invented". Here we have an Impossible or Unreal conditional based on two past facts that cannot be changed. 

 

Activities for my students in 3º ESO: Impossible or Unreal conditionals ( 1, 2 ) + Conditional sentences (mixed).

 

Would it have been possible if it hadn't been Nadal?

 Times when Rafa Nadal Refused To Lose  1   2 

 

 

 Here's my musical tribute to our eternal tennis: Thank you by Pentatonix. Here's a version with the lyrics for you to really understand the message! 

 

 

Road towards success in the new PAU (Selectivity exam).....

 

REPHRASING (Brand new material for new PAU exam 2025)

 

11. He made an effort to speak in English.   He tried

12. I spent my holidays in France .   ?

13. This is the man. His job is very dangerous.    This is

14. The engineer has repaired my television.    I’ve

15. She gave up going to French lessons.    She stopped

16. I regretted having hit the dog on the head.    I wish

17. I’m not as good at English as you are.    You

18. The policeman knew where the thief was hidden.   ?

19. I regretted having hit the dog on the head.    I wish

20. The children stayed at home because it was raining.    As

 

Solution to the exercises in the previous post

 

 

Rephrasing

1. She has been drinking too much alcohol for two years.

2. If I had a computer, I would be able to type the essay on English grammar.

3. Although she had been vaccinated, she caught flu.

4. The policeman said that they would arrest them for illegal entry in the country.

5. The pieces of the broken toy were glued by the teacher.

6. I may finish work earlier than usual today.

7. This is where we last had coffee together.

8. I wish I could speak German fluently.

9. His parents got angry with him because he hadn’t behaved himself.

10. The instructions must be read first.

Here are some activities for you to do:

• Real Easy English:   Talking about FUTURE PLANS  (BBC Learning English)
  

• 
  

  Learning English from the News: South Korea's martial law crisis  (BBC Learning English)

• Ask BBC Learning English: How to use prefer, would rather and prefer  (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do:   Can you trust ancestry DNA kits?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

   

   

 

 

Quizz: Complete the expression (BBC Learning English)

 

 

 

"All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl"

Learn English with  Dua Lipa

 

 

 

Note: 'taken by a pinch of salt' means you doubt something is completely true. And the peculiarity about the word 'doubt', phonetically speaking, is that the 't' is silent.

Thanks, Phenomenadal!

 

Since last 19^th November, 2024 I have been thinking about how to make a tribute to such an unforgettable tennis player and I can't think of other words, but what everybody is saying: "Thanks, Rafa" (or as some people cry out with certain amazing hits: "Phenomenadal").

 

Thanks for not only your wins, but also for the way you have won and lost, for your resilience, for your way to face life, your way to face tough moments, injuries... Your unmatched attitude is what makes you unique. It would have been so easy for you to quit that final in the Australian Open against Wawrinka when you were injured, or when the French public cheered Soderling, but you never chickened out!

 

 

And your reward is not only the trophies, grand slams or tournaments you have won, but the admiration French people showed to you when you were invited to be part of their Olympic Games in Paris, the admiration everybody in the world shows for you, as you can see in the videos I have found on the web.

We will always call out your name and your famous 'VAMOS!' every time we come across a difficult situation. We do wish you all the best in your future life among all your kin, and all the supporters you have around the world.

I will always set you as an example for my students regarding the attitude they must have to face life and hurdles in their studies, and how relentless you have to be so as to achieve your goals.

 

 

Pay attention to the extreme adjectives used.

Activities for my students in 3º ESO: Write a comment using EXTREME ADJECTIVES, like the ones learned in unit 2.

 

 

 Here's my musical tribute to our eternal tennis: Valhalla calling by Miracle of Sound ft Peyton Parrish. Here's a version with the lyrics for you to really understand the message! 

 

The list may look long, but it is surely incomplete. Here are some of the videos (most in English, some in French and also in Spanish) I have found on the web:

• Rafael Nadal Aura & Mental Strength is Simply INSANE

• Rafa Nadal - FOREVER YOUNG (Retirement Tribute)

• King of Clay, Gracias Rafa 🧡

• Rafael Nadal - The King of Clay - Official Movie

• Dans l'intimité de Rafael Nadal

• Rafael Nadal, le roi de la "terre" - un MAX de SPORT

• Rafael Nadal : Pourquoi les Français l'aiment autant? 
  

• Patrick McEnroe discusses Rafael Nadal's retirement | Morning in America

• John McEnroe heaps praise on Rafael Nadal but believes he will retire at the Olympics

• Grand Slams tribute to Rafael Nadal

• A Wimbledon Tribute to Rafael Nadal

• The most emotional tribute to Rafa Nadal

• Rafael Nadal | Story of Unmatched Greatness

• Rafael Nadal: A True Great

• 'Yo perdí contra Rafa Nadal', documental con David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet y Ramón Delgado | EL PAÍS

• Rafael Nadal Retirement Tribute | US Open

• RAFA NADAL | El mejor golpe de NADAL no se puede fotografiar | EL CAMPEÓN EMOCIONANTE 
  

• Rafael Nadal: Striking Gold | Retirement Tribute

• When tennis legends retired

 

 

Rafael Nadal: The Story of the Matador | Ultimate Tribute

 

 

Road towards success in the new PAU (Selectivity exam).....

 

REPHRASING (Brand new material for new PAU exam 2025)

 

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....

6. It is possible that I finish work earlier than usual today.  I ...

7. This is the place. We last had coffee together here.  This is...

8. I love German. Unfortunately, I can’t speak it fluently.   I wish...

9. As he hadn’t behaved himself, his parents got angry with him.  His parents...

10. Everybody must read the instructions first.  The instructions....

 

Solution to the exercises in the previous post

 

Use of English

7. predictable    8. with    9.  habit    

10. Many people are sent birthday telegrams by the Queen.  

11. The new shop, which opened last week, sells fruit and vegetables. 

12. When did he COME home last night?

13. Because of the flight delay, nobody arrived in time,

14. How many centenarians are there in the UK?

15. cry    16. speak, speechless

Here are some activities for you to do:

• Real Easy English:   Talking about TECHNOLOGY  (BBC Learning English)
  

• 

  Learning English from the News: Ukraine fires US-supplied missiles into Russia  (BBC Learning English)

• Ask BBC Learning English: How can you get better at using the third conditional?  (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do:   How babies learn to talk  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

   

   

 

 

Quizz: Fill the gap (BBC Learning English)

 

English with Lucy: 12 confusing easy verbs | The easy way to learn and remember when to use these verbs.  

 

 

"All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl"

Learn English quickly with stories - English learning conversation Episode 01