Advanced 5 – Participle clauses

 

 

Type the type of participle clause you are asked:

https://english.lingolia.com/en/grammar/sentences/participle-clauses/exercises

Reduced Relative Clauses

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/participle-clauses-exercise-1.html

 

Multiple choice

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-89900.php

http://www.kubbu.com/student/?i=1&a=7222_participle_clauses (If you choose the wrong answer an explanation will be provided)

Type using the correct forms

https://elt.oup.com/student/solutions/int/grammar/grammar_10_012e?cc=pe&selLanguage=en

http://www.grammarbank.com/participle-clauses-exercise.html

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/participles/exercises?11

 

Is it free? Is it legal to use?

As you might have noticed I have been making changes in the images and/or adding information in my posts. After a bit of more than a year with this blog I think I have understood which pictures I can legally use here. I will explain what I have found out in a simple way. Now I make an effort to use public domain images.

Public domain pictures are images you can copy, modify, distribute and use even for commercial purposes, all without asking for permission and without paying attribution. However, depicted content may still be protected by trademarks, publicity or privacy rights. Therefore, you should avoid using images where identifiable people, logos and trademarks appear to avoid complaints or legal actions against you.

Read further:

http://www.teachingcopyright.org/handout/public-domain-faq

https://pixabay.com/en/blog/posts/public-domain-images-what-is-allowed-and-what-is-4/

 

Pay attention to the stock photos, the ones that have a watermark. They appear in all the webpages that state they offer free images. These are photos that you can use after making a payment. They are labeled as Royalty Free stock photos but Royalty Free (RF) doesn’t mean you can  download them for free. You can use copyrighted material or intellectual property without the need to pay royalties or license fees for each use or quantity sold, or period of use. In other words, pay just once to the licensor.

The following are some sites where you can download public domain images:

https://pixabay.com/

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/

http://publicdomainreview.org/

http://es.freeimages.com/

http://www.picturesanimations.com/

 

 

Amazing blog with teacher resources!

I found a great blog with lots of teacher resources.  It’s name is Tecknologic and its author is an English teacher in Japan. It was chosen as Featured Blog of the Month in April this year by British Council. It has  downloadable templates for activities and games, videos and tips and tricks. Everything is explained in detail.

Definitely worth checking out!

Download by OpenClipartVectors at pixabay

Exploring English – Free MOOC

Futurelearn is offering a free MOOC (massive open online course)  from British Council («UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities») for people interested in learning more about the  British culture and improving their English language skills. The date hasn’t been announced yet, but I will inform you through my blog or you can register in Futurelearn and register you interest so they can  send you an email when the course opens.

This course is suggested for people with an intermediate or higher level of English. You will be able to watch videos and download them. Moreover, you will find quizzes and discussions to evaluate your understanding. The course also involves writing about your feelings and experiences about each week’s topic. However, it’s up to you to participate actively or to take the course and just watch and read other people’s comments.

The course lasts 6 weeks and it takes about 2 hours per week to cover each week’s tasks. You can get a cerftificate from Futuelearn at the end of the course or buy a Statement of Participation.

Don’t miss the chance to learn more!

Read more here:

EXPLORING ENGLISH: LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

union-jack-flat-isolated picture by Karen Arnold, retrieved from www.publicdomainpictures.net

Intermediate 5, Unit 2, Lesson 2: Noun clauses

The lesson about noun clauses contained a lot of information that might be condusing at first. You can try with the exercises first until you feel more confident. After that, I suggest you read more examples and explanation if you still have doubts.

• What is a clause?
• http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/clause.htm
• Identify noun clauses
• http://www.allenglish.org/Activities/activities-nounclauses3.html
• Multiple choice exercise
• http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/nounclausequiz.html
• Combine sentences
• http://www.grammarbank.com/noun-clauses.html
• http://www.englishgrammar.org/noun-clause-exercise-4/
• Complete with a noun clause
• http://www.englishgrammar.org/noun-clause-exercise-2/

Balance picture retrieved from pixabay.com

Aesop’s fables free online course at ALISON

I really enjoy free online courses and this time I have found a course that might be considered attractive to many since it is about Aesop. I have read and heard many of Aesop’s fables as a child. However, I hadn’t researched about the author. Do you remember reading his fables? Perhaps some of the most famous are The Crow and the Fox and The Lion and the Mouse.

This free online course teaches about him and  it aims to remind us of the lessons in the fables and to reflect on how we can apply them on our everyday life. What is more, you can work on your vocabulary and reading skills.

It is free (no regisration fees are applied), self-paced (you can start and continue anytime you want) and it has quizzes you can retake if your answers were wrong. You will find nice artwork, too. Moreover, you can get certified. Here is part of the course description:

CERTIFICATION

To qualify for your official ALISON Diploma, Certificate or PDF you must study and complete all modules and score 80% or more in each of the course assessments. A link to your Diploma certificate will then appear under the My Certificates heading of your My Account page.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this course you will have read 60 Aesop’s fables and you will be able to identify and, demonstrate an understanding of, the moral or lesson that applies to a selection of those fables.

Link to the course:

https://alison.com/courses/Aesops-Fables

Featured Image:

«Mintonbluefc2» by Minton’s Pottery – http://www.creighton.edu/aesop/artifacts/tiles/mintonsbluetiles/index.php. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mintonbluefc2.jpg#/media/File:Mintonbluefc2.jpg

Advanced 2, Unit 9, Lesson 1 – Passive voice

 

Present, past and future: 

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-85627.php

Future : predictions about the future

Will/ be going to + be + past participle

http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Green%20Level/G5%20Future%20Passive.html

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?future-1

Future perfect: Actions that will be completed before some point in the future

will + have + been + Past Participle

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?future-2

Future as seen from the past: 

Would+ be+ past participle

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/summitcdrom/summit2/Grammar_Self-Checks/UNIT09_P100_Pass_Futur.pdf 

answers below

 

Passive Review:

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Grammar Self-checks

FIGURE IT OUT…
1. a
2. b
3. a
FIGURE IT OUT…
Our lives will be improved by technology.

Test your English level!

If you are not sure about your English level, why not take a free placement test online? Perhaps taking one will help you ascertain your knowledge or it will make you realize you need some more practice. Whichever your reasons are, it can serve as a review or as a reminder that we need to keep learning.

You will find the following descritptions for different levels in the tests:
Basic Speaker
A1  beginner
A2  elementary

Independent Speaker
B1  intermediate
B2 upper intermediate

Proficient Speaker
C1 Effective Operational Proficiency or advanced
C2 Mastery or proficiency

 

I. 15 questions to check how well you understand English that you read. You obtain a percentage at then end and you can check your level:

https://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/levels-test-wc.htm

II.Oxford University Press –  Diagnostic Test: A diagnostic test is a test that helps the teacher and learners identify problems that they have with the language.

Questions by level: https://elt.oup.com/student/practicegrammar/test?cc=pe&selLanguage=en

III. 25 multiple-choice questions. Without time limit:

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/

IV. Check your level with these two level tests: Grammar & vocabulary level test and Listening level test. Questions get easier or harder according to how well you do. If your English is very good you will answer more difficult questions than someone whose English is not as good.

http://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/

V. The number of questions displayed on the following test depends on your level:

http://www.learn4good.com/languages/english_level.htm

Test picture by Geralt retrieved from www.pixabay.com

Intermediate 5 – forget, remember, stop with infinitive and gerund

Gerund or infinitive after «forget», «remember» and «stop»
Gap-fill exercise: http://www.bnv-bamberg.de/home/ba4613/flg/englischinteraktiv/gerundinfinitive4.htm

Explanation and exercises with more verbs:

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-verbs-4.html regret

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=5401

Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper and then check:

http://www.fiestaesl.com/gerinf4_different_meaning_remember_stop_try.html

Choose the correct answer:

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/268.html

Listen to Shakira’s song, Can’t remember to forget you. Complete the following statements:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GRWiy9UFL4
What I tend ____ when it comes to you
I can’t remember _____ you
I keep ____ I should let you go
I never seemed ______ so stupid
The only memory is us ______ in the moonlight (o
What I’m trying ______ is not to forget

Read the lyrics, check your answers and sing!

http://www.metrolyrics.com/cant-remember-to-forget-lyrics-shakira.html

Lyrics on the screen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6lyJMr0pQw

 

Basic 10 – Unit 6, Lesson 1: use to

An action that took place in the past but doesn’t continue in the present:

I didn’t use to do much exercise. Now I train almost everyday.

I used to eat animal products, but now I don’t because I turned vegan.

For actions that you have adapted to or that you are accustomed to:

I am used to speaking in English. I don’t feel uncomfortable.

I am not used to speaking in Japanese.I think my pronunciation might be wrong.

For action that you will get habituated to by frequent repetition or prolonged exposure:

He doesn’t like his new apartment, but he’ll get used to it.

She won’t get used to her new cellphone if she doesn’t use it!

I got used to the new class. I usually adapt well to new people.

Links to practice:

• https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-m_used-be-used-to.htm
• http://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/exercises/usedto-tobeusedto_quiz1.html
  http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/i-used-vs-i-am-used/
  http://www.5minuteenglish.com/mar20.htm
• http://baladre.info/english/sedaviwebfront/usedto.htm http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/i-used-vs-i-am-used/
  http://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/used-to-be-used-to-get-used-to