Virtual or real relationship?

Do you prefer a virtual or a real relationship? I mean, do you prefer to meet someone physically rather than using a dating app?

Here are some articles for you to read about the issue:

• Virtual relationships (The Guardian)

• The Japanese men who prefer virtual girlfriends to sex (BBC News)

• Don’t fall for online-only love. It’s not the giddy real thing (The Guardian)

• Face-to-Face Friendships Involve Real Emotions (The New York Times)

Here's a listening exercise to do: Dating apps: How our brains react (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

'especially' or 'specially'?   >>>   That is the question.

HIGHWAY TO B1.....

Part three. Choose the correct option: 

21. The cat will have to come down soon,  .... ?   (A  hasn't it   B  doesn't it  C won't it   D  mustn't it)

22. It will probably stay in the tree ........  the dog goes away.    (A  during    B   until   C whether   D   by the time)

23. The cat is ........ frightened that it cannot move.  (A  so    B   such   C  so that   D  such that)

24. The two drivers were both ........... the way home.     (A  in the    B   on the   C  under  D  at the) 

25. I expect their wives will be .... if they arrive late.    (A  put over    B  put back   C  put out   D   put up) 
26. Do you remember ever ........ a car accident?    (A  seeing    B  you saw   C  see   D   to see) 
27. I wonder ......... to stop in time.  (A  how the men managed    B   if the men managed   C  whether the men did manage   D   how the men did manage) 
28. Luckily, they had just been to the garage to ............. .     (A  having their brakes checked    B  having checked their brakes   C  have their brakes checked   D  checked their brakes) 
29. They would .... check their brakes than have an accident.    (A  sooner    B   better   C  prefer   D  more) 
30. Do you think they mind ........  seat belts?     (A  to wear   B   wore   C  to wearing   D   wearing)

Solutions to PART TWO in the previous post.

11. b    12. b    13. c    14. d    15. d   16. b   17. c   18. c  19. b   20. d

Here's an example of what you can do as a project with the books you have to read:

Project on England by Lucía Espinosa (3º ESO A)

CONGRATULATIONS, Lucía!!!!

English with Lucy >>>  22 Business English Acronyms & Abbreviations You NEED (spon) 

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 181003 / 03 October 2018    >>>  Zimbabwe's female rangers (All-female anti-poaching rangers) -  Language related to 'hardship'.  Need-to-know language: gruelling, a big ask, break, state financial assistance & blighted.

Montserrat Caballé, she had such a beautiful voice!

Long, long time ago Barcelona held the Olympic Games (1992) and here's the song Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury sang for the occasion.

Some articles you read about Montserrat Caballé, who died today:

• Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé dies aged 85 (The Guardian)

• Montserrat Caballe Dead: Spanish Opera Singer And Freddie Mercury Collaborator Dies Aged 85 (Huffingtonpost)

Changing topics, nowadays you don't often see people taking photos with their cameras or using their videocameras. Instead, they use their smarphones, or even their tablets.

Here's a listening exercise to do: Are smartphones killing cameras? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Interesting: Three facts about 'The'   

 

HIGHWAY TO B1.....

Part two. Choose the correct option: 

11. It is trying to save .... by staying there.    (A  its self    B   itself   C  it   D  self)

12. It ........  very fast.    (A  had running    B   had to run   C  has been run   D   had ran)

13. The lady .......... the dog.  (A  needed stop    B   ought stop   C  should have stopped   D   ought have stopped)

14. The car drivers are very shocked. She is  .......... .     (A  either    B   neither   C  so  D   as well) 

15. Perhaps it .... raining by this time tomorrow.    (A  shall stop    B  will be stopping   C  would stop   D   will have stopped) 
16. There may be many accidents if it ........  on raining.    (A  kept    B  keeps   C  will keep   D  is keeping) 
17. It's time the dog ......... how to behave properly.  (A  is learning    B  learns   C  learned   D   to learn) 
18. If the lady had a smaller dog, it  ............. easier to control.     (A  will be    B   were   C  would be   D   is) 
19. It was lucky the cars stopped .... the dog.    (A  avoided    B   to avoid   C  for to avoid   D  avoiding) 
20. Will the dog let the cat ........ ?     (A  escaped    B   escaping   C  to escape   D   escape) 

Solutions to PART ONE in the previous post.

1. d    2. a    3. b    4. c    5. d   6. a   7. c   8. b  9. c   10. a

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180926 / 26 September 2018    >>>  Stonehenge wants your photos   -  Language related to 'Memories'.  Need-to-know language: vividly, nostalgia, personalise & digital photo album.

Fashions!!!!

Are you a fashion fan or fashion slave? (News about Britain, BBC Learning English)   >>>   News about Britain: what to wear?   Here I present you some articles for you to read and some stories for you to listen about the world of fashion.

 

Here's a listening exercise to do: Street food: Why is it becoming so popular? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Related articles you can read:

• Street food: the latest rage (The Guardian)

• 10 of the world's best street food stalls: readers’ travel tips (The Guardian)

HIGHWAY TO B1.....

Part one. Choose the correct option: 

1. If the cars hadn't stopped, there .... a nasty accident.    (A  will be    B   won't have been   C  had been   D   would have been)

2. The old lady ........  worry. Her dog is quite sage.    (A  needn't    B   oughtn't   C  don't   D   shouldn't to)

3. The dog wanted .......... the cat.  (A  catch    B   to catch   C  to catching   D   catching)

4. She  ............. the dog for a walk when it saw the cat.     (A  was taken    B   has taken   C  had been taking  D   taking) 

5. The dog oughtn't to .... into the road.    (A  running    B  had run   C  ran   D   have run) 
6. Dogs are ........  cats.    (A  used to chasing    B   used to chase   C  used chase   D   use chasing) 
7. The car drivers are ......... what has happened.  (A  annoying in    B   annoyed in   C  annoyed at   D   annoying at) 
8. The dog made them  ............. sharply.     (A  braking    B   brake   C  to brake   D   to braking) 
9. The old lady wishes she .... such a big dog.    (A  didn't buy    B   had bought   C  hadn't bought   D  bought) 
10. The cat will not ........      (A  get down from the tree.    B   get the tree down.   C  get from the tree.   D   get the tree down from) 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180919 / 19 September 2018    >>>  End of the line for the VW Beetle?   -  Language related to 'design'.  Need-to-know language: incarnations, iconic version, rear-engine model, archaic & outmoded.

Valverde, Women's basketball, Ryder's Cup... Our sportsmen and sportswomen have played a blinder today!!!

What a brilliant day in the world of Spanish sport we have had today!!!!  Do you know what the expression 'to play a blinder' means? Look it up here ( The English We Speak).

 

Read these newspaper articles and give us an opinion of the best result for you:

• Alejandro Valverde finally takes top step at Road World Championships after winning men's road race (The Telegraph)

• Alejandro Valverde triumphs in thrilling final to win elite men’s World Championship road race (Cycling Weekly)

• In Ryder Cup, Europe Leaves Egos at Door. Those of U.S. Slam the Door. (The New York Times)

• Europe regain Ryder Cup with 17½-10½ victory over USA – as it happened (The Guardian)

And our women's Spanish national basketball team won the bronze medal in the world championships!!!!   Do you know any more good results?

Here's a listening exercise to do: Fathers (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)


Interesting related article for you to read:

My partner didn't want children. I did. Then I got pregnant... (The Guardian)

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180912 / 12 September 2018    >>>  Cycling for the elderly   -  Language related to 'old age'.  Need-to-know language: pensioners, contemplating life, loneliness, disability & carers.

Ready for York??

Are you ready for our new adventure: YORK 2019???

NEXT MISSION: YORK 19

SO FAR WE ARE 23!!!   >>  Joel Martín, David Chaves, Marta Chaves, Álvaro Molina, Sergio García, Raquel Peinado, Sara Peinado, Raúl García, José Corzo,  Alba Arellano, José Adrián González, Lidia Bautista, Susana Pérez, Nuria Díaz, Lucía Pérez, Sara Prados, Eva Almendros, Mª Jesús Burell, Rodrigo Cervilla, Helena Albertuz, Valentín Lahora, Cristian Ramón, José Antº Bueno Segura.

After our zero meeting last May and our first meeting last Wednesday (with an incredible attendance of more than 50 students!!!), we will be having our second meeting next Wednesday, 3rd October, in the Language Department during the break. We will see if there are enough people interested to form a group.

Remember that everybody is welcomed even if they decide not to come in the end!!!

 

Here's a link to a previous post with all the information about our trip and videos: 

York or Bath? That is the question.

   

and the link to the form to fill in if you are interested >>>> 

 

I WANT YOU...FOR YORK!!!

Here's a listening exercise to do: A tall story (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

English Conversations: ASKING FOR and GIVING DIRECTIONS in English (Part II) by 7 E S L

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180905 / 05 September 2018    >>>  Gaspard the friendly fox   -  Language related to 'friendship'.  Need-to-know language: unlikeliest of friendships, blossoming, befriended, become familiar with & trusting.

Violence against women in Asia

The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women  

Here are some articles about violence against women in India, Pakistan... Read also the related articles you can find each of them.

• Woman Dies After a Gang Rape That Galvanized India

• India inspiring others to fight violence against women: US playwright-activist Eve Ensler

•  Pakistani Family Resists Pressure to Honor Kill Raped Daughter

• One million sign to end violence against women in Pakistan

Write comments about the situation women live in certain countries around the world and the solutions you propose. Is death penalty a solution as they suggest in India?

 

 

Money for nothing

What is the real value of money? Well, you never know. You may be extremely wealthy in one part of the world and really poor in another part. This is what happened in Turkey some weeks ago.

Here I present you some articles you can read about the topic:

• Q&A: Why is the Turkish lira in freefall and should we worry? (The Guardian)

• The threat Turkey's crisis poses to the world (CNN)

• Turkish financial crisis: Lira recovers as Ankara tries to calm markets (The Guardian)

News Review: Turkish lira falls: who's to blame? (BBC Learning English)

How to ASK FOR and GIVE DIRECTIONS in English 👉 Daily English Conversation (Part I) by 7 E S L

The English we need: Three ways to say ZERO . Do you know any words meaning ZERO?

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180829 / 29 August 2018    >>>  Cambodia's tuk-tuk rivals   -  Language related to 'transport'.  Need-to-know language: cyclos, tuk-tuks, auto-rickshaw, ride-hailing & carriages.

It's time to go back to our beloved routines

It is time to go back to our beloved routines, but first we must think about changing certain bad habits to get better results and to have a better quality of life. One of these bad things to change is our sedentary lifestyle.

Here are some related articles for you to read about the issue:

• British children among the least active in the world, with exercise 'stripped out' of modern lives (The Daily Telegraph)

• Moving every half hour could help limit effects of sedentary lifestyle, says study (The Guardian)

• Yes, sitting too long can kill you, even if you exercise (CNN)

Here's a listening exercise to do: Beating a sedentary life (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)


Do you remember the way we called a person with a sedentary life? Here's a previous post you can have a look at and discover it:

Any couch potatoes around?

English with Lucy: How to TRANSITION to ADVANCED English level - vocabulary lesson

VERBS & PREPOSITIONS by 7 E S L

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180822 / 22 August 2018    >>>  The secret recipe of ancient mummification   -  Language related to 'stopping deterioration'.  Need-to-know language: preserving, embalming, antibacterial,  prevent something from decaying & intact.

How smart animals are!!!

Animals are really intelligent, but how intelligent they are. Probably more than what we think.

 

     Top ten smartest animals    

Here are some articles to read and amazing videos to watch:

• Animals know more than you think (The Guardian)

• Which animals are smartest: Dogs, cats, or ... raccoons? (The Washington Post)

• The octopus: One of Earth's smartest (CNN)

• Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? (The Guardian)

 

A Crow named 007 - Intelligence of animals - BBC Episode 2

And... How does a chimp wash its hands?   &   CNN Amazing Animals Lemurs are incredibly intelligent


José Miguel's contribution (1º Bach A):   How smart are dolphins? by Lori Marino

What is for you the most intelligent animal?

Here's a listening exercise to do: How intelligent is the octopus? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)


Here you can learn phrasal verbs made with GET.   (Exercise to do)

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180815 / 15 August 2018    >>>  The AI that spots eye disease   -  Language related to 'surprising changes'.  Need-to-know language: on the brink off, jaw-dropping, gasp, game changer & the advent of.

We say a little prayer for you

This time we will say a little prayer for you, Aretha!

Aretha Franklin, 'the queen of soul', dies aged 76 (The Guardian)

'No One Did It Better'-Reaction to Aretha Franklin's Death  (The New York Times)

Some other songs by Aretha Franklin:

• (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman [1967]  

• Respect [1967]   

• George Michael, Aretha Franklin - I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)   

• Ever Changing Times ft. Michael McDonald  

and so many more.

What Really Hid Behind The Tragic Life Of Aretha Franklin?  

Holidays will always be holidays!!!

You may sometimes feel disappointed because your holidays are not as smashing and unforgettable as you would like. However, believe me holidays will always be holidays no matter how dull they may look. To begin with, they are a break in our routines and that will make us stronger when we go back to our routines. Then, and as long as no negative things affect you, it is time to do activities you cannot do during all the year long, such as tidying old papers or having a look at old photographs or videos or meeting friends or relatives you don't usually see or reading books for fun...

 

Anyway, here are some articles for you to read about the issue:

• Summer Life Hacks: how to make the most of your holidays (BBC)

• Nearly 40% of Britons to stay at home during summer holidays (The Guardian)

• How to stay happy after the vacation is over (CNN)

• Home alone: 'It made me feel that I was unloved' (BBC)

Here's a listening exercise to do: Not going out (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

A secret about collective nouns (BBC Learning English)

Understand FAST English Conversations [Advanced Listening Lesson]

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180801 / 01 August 2018    >>>  Child announcer on London Underground   -  Language related to 'safety'.  Need-to-know language: safety, take care, handrail, injured & takes notice.

Food and food waste, a big world problem

Food is a big problem for some people. Hunger, starvation... are common problems in many places in the world such as Africa, India... However, we've got enough people for everybody. Actually, in some places such as USA they have so much food that they waste it.

 

One possible solution >>>>

• Forget Aldi - this is Australia's cheapest supermarket: Melbourne store gives food away for FREE (Daily Mail) 

• Australia's first rescued-food supermarket opens in Sydney (The Guardian)

 

 

Here's an article to read about the issue:

Tesco pledges to end edible food waste by March 2018 (The Guardian)

 

What do you do not to waste so much food at home? Read the following article and watch the video and tell me interesting words connected with the semantic field of 'food'. For instance, 'edible'. What does this word mean? Which verb does this adjective come from?

 

In your comment you can use QUANTIFIERS (Here's a video for you to watch and some exercises for you to do). For example: "At home we eat very little bread, so we do not buy much".

 

Here's some basic vocabulary for the World Cup 2018.

What is the Passive Voice? 😅 English Grammar Lesson

 

A couple of English exercises to do about the PASSIVE VOICE  >>>   1   2  

 

Now let's cook the PERFECT OMELETTE!!!  Watch this video and tell me how to make it using the PASSIVE VOICE. Here's a possible start:

Example: First of all, a frying pan is needed. Then three eggs are taken from the fridge.

Useful verbs you may need: stir, pour, fry, add, set, serve...

 

And obviously a good nose is required to cook  >>>  The English We Speak (BBC Learning English)  >>>  To have a good nose (for something)  

 

Another funny episode of John McEnroe talking about tennis in "The self-appointed Commissioner of Tennis":

Roger Federer's Replacement?

 

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180606 / 06 June 2018    >>>  Using a smart bin to tackle food waste   -  Language related to 'Inventories'.  Need-to-know language: accurate records, keeping tabs on, adjust & catalogue.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

After some years and long hours of work, Here I present you my latest mission accomplished. In my site you will find not only links to every single episode of the more than 200, but also notes to every single module of the 12 this course has. Enjoy it and make the most of it!!!

NEW THAT'S ENGLISH

In my site I also provide you with this useful link:

   Complete Index and table of contents   

Here are two listening exercises to do: Smartphone addiction & Is technology always the solution? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Here's an interesting article for you to read telling you how to overcome phone addiction:

How to overcome your phone addiction: Five tips to help you stop checking your mobile (The Independent)

Learn with Lucy the 3 (everyday) words you should NEVER say

 

By the way, do you know the difference between these two verbs?     Raise vs rise  

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180808 / 08 August 2018    >>>  Strandbeests   -  Language related to 'mechanics'.  Need-to-know language: engineer, powered by, trial and error, mechanical & robust design.

 

SUMMER 2018

We are in the middle of the summer and so far we have done many things and there are still loads of more wonderful experiences to live in the coming weeks.

To begin with, we can revise the PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE by watching these two episodes of That's English so that we can talk about our past experiences.

  Unit 9A            Unit 9B   

Do you know the difference between 'meeting' and 'reunion'? And what about 'gathering'?

A meeting is any kind of gathering of people, a reunion is a meeting where people get back together. For example a school reunion, where former students meet up again after they have left school. 

A meeting is an assembly of people, either by chance or by prior arrangement. This is the most generic term that covers the coming together of two or more people. A gathering is a meeting or an assembly held especially for a social or festive purpose (e.g. a family gathering).

And here's a most completed explanation provided by BBC Learning English.

And if you want to have a look at the notes I have prepared for you, here's the place where you can look them up:

NOTES for Module 3

 

Talking about music, what is the song of the summer 2018? Send me your hints.

And what about your favourite summer food?

Do you know any other words for 'gazpacho'?  Here's another recipe. And if you want to watch it in French, here's my hint. Any other suggestions?

By the way, very few people are working this summer. Here's our link to the  SUMMER SCOREBOARD 

 

Shopping online

Have you ever bought anything online? Online shopping is so extended, but...

Here are some articles you can read about the issue:

• How green is online shopping? (The Guardian)

• All under one roof: how malls and cities are becoming indistinguishable (The Guardian)

• 'Going shopping is a nightmare for me' (BBC News)

• Compulsive shopping: When spending is like substance abuse (CNN)

Here's a listening exercise to do: Surf and turf (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

 

 

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FLUENT IN ENGLISH WHEN... (fluency quiz! test your English!!) by The English Coach

On the highway to our B1 in 2020   >>>  Some activities for you to do:

65. Fill in the gaps with prepositions:

1. My office is ________ the second floor ________ the lift.

2. My parents live ________ South Street.

3. When do you usually come home? _______ about six o'clock.

4. I work _______ 17, Rocky Lane ________ 9 am_________ 2 pm.

5. I don't go ________ school _______ the afternoon.

66. Now ask when you do these things and then answer the following questions with the times given :

1. ___________ go to school ? ______________________________

2. ___________ have lunch ? ________________________

67. LANGUAGE IN USE. Write questions for these answers :

1. _______________________________ ? I'm from Spain.

2. _______________________________ ? She's 24 years old.

3. _______________________________ ? I'm sorry. I don't know.

4. _______________________________ ? Next to the post office.

5. _______________________________ ? 9, Malaga Avenue.

68. Put in THE where necessary:

1. "I've got one apple and a piece of chocolate." "I'll have ______ chocolate."

2. I don't like ______ fish.

3. She's got two boys and two girls. ______ two girls are Jane and Betty.

4. ______ girls usually like dolls.

And for more revision and extension exercises you can visit this page in my site: MOCK EXAMS (3º ESO) 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180725 / 25 July 2018    >>>  Helping the puffin make a comeback   -  Language related to 'research'.  Need-to-know language: exploring, tracked, identify, monitored & carry out.