20200708 - Unit 2 - Going to extremes - Quick Overview (Vocab + Useful Language)

USEFUL LANGUAGE

- Giving advice

Isn't it about time you asked him to leave

There is a lot to be said for being upfront about it

Have you thought about the possibility of ...

It might be in your interest to invest some of that money ...

You might want to have a think about abandoning your studies

Don't get so wound up about money

You might as well ...

- Reports; Linking: contrast and concession

- Offering alternatives

however

on the other hand

alternatively

- Opposing

on the contrary

- Comparing

however

on the other hand

by (way of) comparison

although

unlike

in contrast to

when compared to

- Conceding

however

nevertheless

regardless (of)

although

even though

for all that

despite

in spite of

VOCABULARY

- Sounds and Noise

anechoic

gurgling
whining

deafening

roar

whisper

decibels

hammered

thump

eerie

- Social Interaction (multi-word verbs)

fitting in
come accross

cut off

slipped out

related to

bombarded with

go on about

run down

bring out the best

hold back

- Verbs of movement

soaring

whizzing

rolling

zooming

plunging

hurtling

whooshing

whirling

crawling

marching

leaping

drifting

creeping

limping

staggering

rushing

strolling

sliding

- Weird Extreme Sports

zip-lining

indoor skydiving

zorning

volcano-boarding

base jumping

Type T = Thrill seekers

20200703 - Unit 1 - Language - Quick Overview (Vocab + Useful Language)

USEFUL LANGUAGE

- Expressing yourself in an inexact way

give or take
stuff like that
whatsisname
whatsername
thingy
words to that effect
some bits and pieces
something along those lines
somewhere in the region

- Expressing opinions

that's nonsense
you are missing the point
there is no way
that simply isn't true
that's easy to say but
how can you possibly say that?
that's a load of rubbish
that doesn't make sense

I'm in two minds about that
I've got mixed feelings about that

you are spot on
that makes a lot of sense
you've hit the nail in the head
I would go along with that

I agree up to a point
it's true that ... but ...
you've got a point, but ...
On the other hand, I do feel ...


VOCABULARY

- Learning languages

pick up
brush up
grasp
rusty
have an ear for
attain a level
struggle with
hold a conversation

- Describing changes

lasting
barely perceptible
hugely significant
entirely unnoticed
noticeable
steady shift
on the increase
subtle
ongoing
a rapid rise
gradually giving way
on the way out
taking hold
grown substantially

20200701 - Possible Themes for the C1 Exam

Book Units:

Level C1.1
- Personality & Work
- Learning Languages. Autobiographies
- Personal Relationships, Historical Films
- Human Sounds, Spoilers
- Multitasking. Money Matters
- Stress and Technology
- Quiz Questions & Design
- Health and Medicine. Travelling
- Animals & Food

Level C1.2
- Languages
- Going to Extremes
- Travel and Adventure
- Consciousness
- Fairness
- Perspectives
- Connections
- Body and Health
- Cities
- Occasions

Circular 1 2020 Annex IV (C1)

Themes:

Os temas sobre os que se basearán as distintas tarefas da proba de certificación de nivel avanzado C1 serán os descritos no currículo vixente para as escolas oficiais de idiomas (Decreto 81/2018, do 19 de xullo, anexo I). Cubrirase a maior variedade de temas posible e evitarase repetir temas nas diferentes tarefas:

- Alimentación

- Bens e servizos

- Ciencia e tecnoloxía

- Compras e actividades comerciais

- Cultura e actividades artísticas

- Economía e industria

- Educación e actividades académicas

- Goberno, política e sociedade

- Identidade personal

- Información e medios de comunicación

- Lecer e tempo libre

- Relacións persoais e sociais

- Relixión e filosofía

- Saúde, coidados físicos e atención sanitaria

- Traballo e actividades profesionais

- Viaxes e estancias no estranxeiro

- Vivenda, fogar e contorna

- Xeografía, natureza e medio rural

20200504

REAL CONDITIONALS

ZERO CONDITIONAL
IF + PRESENT –> PRESENT

If I break my leg, I always go to the doctor.
If I want a snack, I have one.



FIRST CONDITIONAL
IF + PRESENT -> WILL

If I break my leg, I will go to the doctor.
She'll recover quickly if her temperature goes down.




UNREAL CONDITIONALS


SECOND CONDITIONAL
IF + PAST -> WOULD

If I were to break my leg, I would go to the doctor.
If I were a rich man, I wouldn't have to work.
If it wasn't raining, I would go out somewhere.
If it was my choice, we would go to the spa.



THIRD CONDITIONAL
IF + PAST PERFECT -> WOULD + PERFECT

Had I broken my leg, I would have gone to the doctor.
If he had been driving any faster, the car would have gone off the road.
If she hadn't lost her passport, Megan wouldn't have missed her plane.
Megan wouldn't have missed her plane if she hadn't lost her passport.




HYPOTHETICAL

MIXED
mixing Second and Third
IF + PAST -> WOULD + PERFECT
IF + PAST PERFECT -> WOULD

If I knew what you wanted, I would have done it ages ago.
If I had been allowed to study in France, I would speak French much more fluently.
I would speak French more fluently if I had been allowed to study in France.

20200413

Cleft Sentences


Mariah Carey - (All I want for Xmas is) you

Spice Girls - I'll tell u (what I want), what I really really want

All I have to remember is to use some cleft sentences now and then.

20200227

The crux of the matter

20200127

Vicious circle

20200124

(from Successful Writing by Virginia Evans)

Opinion Essays

An opinion essay is a formal piece of writing. It requires your opinion on a topic. That opinion must be stated clearly.

Plan/Outline

Introduction
Paragraph 1 : It should state the subject and your opinion.

Main Body
Several paragraphs :  Each presenting a separate reasoned viewpoint. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence summarising what the paragraph is about. Also include a paragraph with an opposing viewpoint and why you think it is not a convincing argument.

Conclusion
Final Paragraph : Restate your opinion (using different words)


Do:
- Use a formal, impersonal style.
- Introduction stated the topic clearly.
- Use clear topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph.
- Write well developed paragraphs giving reasons and examples.
- Use linking words and phrases.
- Use generalisations (e.g. most developed countries)
- Use quotations if possible.
- Give examples if possible.


Don't:
- Don't use short forms or informal colloquial language.
- Don't use very emotional language.
- Don't use unclear or irrelevant topic sentences.
- Don't use over-generalisation.
- Don't give personal examples.
- Don't use cliched expressions.



Some useful vocabulary:

In my opinion ...
It is my (firm) belief/opinion/view/conviction (that) ...
I (firmly) believe ...
I am (not) convinced that ...
It seems/appears to me that ...
As far as I am concerned ...
It strikes me that ...
I (definitely) feel/think that ...
I am inclined to believe ...

20191230

“Memory is the seamstress, and a capricious one at that.”

― Virginia Woolf, Orlando

20191226

Successful Writing - Proficiency

Unit 6 Discursive Essays
For and Against Short Essays

A "for and against" essay is a formal piece of writing in which a topic is considered from opposing points of view. A formal construct where both sides of the argument are considered. You should present both sides in a fair way by discussing them objectively and in equal detail.

Plan/Outline

Introduction
Paragraph 1 : Clearly state the topic, without giving your opinion.

Main Body
Paragraph 2-3 : Arguments for and justifications, reasons and/or examples.
Paragraph 4-5 : Arguments against and justifications, reasons and/or examples.

Conclusion
Final Paragraph : Balanced and considered reflection and/or personal opinion.


In the first paragraph, you should state the topic and you may include one or more of the following techniques.

• Make reference to an unusual or striking idea/situation/scene 
• Address the reader directly
• Start with a quotation or thought-provoking statement

In the last paragraph, you should state your opinion and/or give a balanced consideration of the topic and you may include one or more of the following techniques.

• Finish with a quotation
• Ask a rhetorical question
• Give the reader something to consider

Do:

- Use a formal, impersonal style.
- Use topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph.
- Write well developed paragraphs giving reasons and examples
- Use generalisations (e.g. most developed countries)
- Use sequencing (e.g. firstly, secondly) and linking words/phrases (e.g. however, although)
- Make reference to other sources
- Use quotations

Don't:

- Don't use short forms or informal colloquial language
- Don't use very emotional language
- Don't express personal opinions too strongly
- Don't use over-generalisation (e.g. all politicians are corrupt)
- Don't refer blindly to stats without accurate source
- Don't use cliches
- Don't use personal examples




Useful Vocabulary:

One major advantage of, A further advantage of, In addition, On the other hand, Moreover, Finally ...