Verb patterns: gerund or infinitive?

This unit's grammar point is verb patterns. That is to say, when do we use the gerund, or the infinitive? Can we say "I certainly like to work out puzzles"? Or is "I certainly like working out puzzles" the only good option? Actually, both are correct, but we'll work on this, practising, playing, and on your own account, studying.

To start with, here I post the slides, so revise them again on your own, and don't forget to complete the activities at the end.

Gerunds and infinitives from Míriam

Working with phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs. I know they're a lot of them, they're difficult to remember, they can have several meanings, but that's not a reason to give up on them. Cheer up and try to practise as much as possible, and the work will pay off.

If you check the previous link I've attached to the phrasal pay off, you'll see that it directs you to a website application: Dictionary of phrasal verbs, which allows you to look them up (pronoun-object always in the middle!), searching by verb or by particle. There's also a random quiz you can take.

Finally, check the photocopied material for further practice.

Keep up with the good work!

Writing your own blog entry

Hello!

One of the type of text we need to do until the course finishes is the blog entry. This is a personal, informal and engaging sort of composition, in which bloggers have the opportunity to express their interests, concerns and hobbies.

This makes the blog entry a very personal writing, but that doesn't mean that it's going to be random, or unorganized. Every text must have its order and coherence so as to readers feel interested in reading. Next you'll find the slides with some basic information necessary to write your own entry and the instructions for that task. But before let me remind you that a blog necessarily has to include:

• An engaging title, also approriate to the topic (in this case, some advice about the place you visited during your last trip).
• A brief introduction as to why you are writing about this.
• Divided paragraphs for each of the ideas: make sure you include safety details, means of getting around, sightseeing, shopping and gastronomy.
• Conclusion, evaluating if the place is worth the while, to what kind of traveller you'd recommend it, and any other piece of information you find appropriate.
• Also,  remember to include at the end some comment referring to your readers, as you want them to post comments and leave feedback about your text.

Blog entry from Míriam

So, try to complete this task as early as possible, and maybe a good example can be posted here for all of us to learn from it and enjoy ;)

Keep up with the good work!

Reading circles story

Hi! I hope all of you are reading now the story for the class activity.

This is a reminder for the more absent-minded (and the plain absent) that finally the chosen story for the reading circle activity is going to be The Judge's House, by Bram Stoker.

The class activity will be held the 26th of April, and most of you already have your role task, but for the ones who don't have it yet, ask for it when you come to class. 

Remember that you have to follow the instructions in your worksheet to prepare your own task at home, so when we do the activity in class, you have prepared it beforehand in order to work together.

Happy reading!

Shops and restaurants

This time I'm bringing you some complementary activities to work on the vocabulary from the unit 6B.

First of all, one listening activity which, although the audio hasn't got much quality, you can try to do it with some good headphones. These links redirect you to the activity "Shopping", with the exercise, the track and the answers and transcript.

Secondly, and to cover the vocabulary of restaurants, you have different activities: a crossword, and two matching exercises.


At a restaurant At a restaurant Actions at a restaurant

Expressing ability, possibility, permission and deduction

Hello there!

This post is going to focus on the modal verbs can, could and the structure be able to when they express the functions in the title above: ability, possibility, permission and deduction.

Although you've got some of the necessary theory on your class books, I wanted to share with you the slides in which you'll find it more clearly.

 

Modal verbs 6B: can, could, be able to from Míriam

Moreover, you can do further practice with these activities with answers.