Merry Christmas!

Mercat Solidari

-ing or -ed?

Exercise 1 

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Exercise 5

Also, as well, too

You seem to have some problems using these three words. Let's have a look at them. 

Also, as well and too are adverbs and mean ‘in addition’.

Also

Also is commonly used in writing, but is less common in speaking. Also occupies different positions in a sentence.

We use also in front position to emphasise what follows or to add a new point or topic:

It’s very humid. Also, you can easily get sunburnt.

[on the telephone]

OK, I’ll phone you next week and we can discuss it then. Also, we need to decide who will be going to Singapore.

We use also in the normal mid position for adverbs, between the subject and main verb, or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb. In this position, the meaning of also usually connects back to the whole clause that comes before:

She works very hard but she also goes to the gym every week.

I’ve been working in the garden this week, and I’ve also been reading a lot.

In end position, also normally connects two phrases. We use as well and too instead of also, in end position, especially in speech:

She contacted him in the office but he didn’t answer the phone. His mobile phone was silent also. (or His mobile phone was silent too. or … was silent as well.)

As well

Spoken English:

As well is much more common in speaking than in writing, and is more common in speaking than also.

As well almost always comes in end position:

[In a restaurant. Customer (A) is ordering from a waiter (B)]

A: I’ll have steak please.

B: Yes.

A: And I’ll have the mixed vegetables as well.

Too

We usually put too in end position:

Gill’s having chicken. I’ll probably have chicken too.

She looks really tired and she must be really hungry too.

Too can occur immediately after the subject, if it refers directly to the subject. It does not normally occur after a modal or auxiliary verb. We sometimes write commas before and after too:

I too thought she looked unwell.

We, too, have been very pleased to receive the prize on her behalf.

Not: We have too been very pleased …

Too is especially common in responses to fixed expressions such as giving good wishes, and in responses consisting of a single object pronoun:

A: Enjoy the play.

B: Thanks. You enjoy your evening too. (preferred to You enjoy your evening as well. or You also enjoy your evening.)

A: I need to go to the gym.

B: Yeah, me too. (preferred to Yeah, me also. or Yeah, me as well.)

In imperative clauses, as well and too are normally preferred to also:

[customer in a post office, buying books of first and second class stamps]

Give me a book of ten first and a book of ten second as well then please. (preferred to … and a book of ten second also then please.)

Linking negatives

We use either not also, as well or too to connect two negative ideas:

Bill’s not here. I don’t think Dave is either, is he?

Not: I don’t think Dave is also/as well/too.

A: That’s not in paperback yet. It’s not been in any book clubs either, has it?

B: No.

Not: It’s not been in any book clubs also/as well/too, has it?

Also, as well and too: typical error

• We don’t use as well at the beginning of a clause. As well usually comes at the end of a clause:

I just ignored it. I think everybody else did as well.

Not: As well I think everybody else did.

Source: dictionary.cambridge

Writing an article

This is a kind reminder, you have homework, you have to write an article (Unit 2).   

Remember that  an article is usually written for a language magazine or newsletter, and the reader is assumed to have similar interests to the writer. The main purpose is to inform, interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment. It may include amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions. It can be formal or informal, depending on the target audience. 

If you need some help, go to 'Writing' where you will find PDF documents with general especification and some models to give you ideas.

Going to the cinema

This is a unit by the BBC Learning English Service.
John persuades Fiona to to go out with him to the cinema. They decide to go to see 'About a Boy' starring Hugh Grant at 'The Prince Charles' cinema in Leicester Square. At the end, they express different opinions about what they thought of the film.

This unit will help you with the following;
Making suggestions
Reading simple film reviews
Finding out about cinemas in London
Using adjectives to describe films
Giving opinions using base and strong adjectives
Practicing the pronunciation (sentence stress) of these opinions

What are you waiting for? Click on the screen below to do the exercises!!

Mercat solidari

Free audio books to download

Acting on the belief that books should be free for everyone,the website Loyal Books brings you thousands of free downloadable audio books in either MP3 or iTunes format. You can search for a book by title, author, keyword or browse through the collection by categories such as fiction, history and romance.

An audio preview of each book is available before you start downloading it. In addition to a very detailed description about the book, links are also provided to the full text of the book and also related Wikipedia articles. Each book listing also contains user reviews and ratings. The website contains free audio books in over a dozen languages that can be downloaded with a single click. No registration is required.

What are you waiting for to improve your skills? 

Listening practice

We probably spend more time using our listening skills than any other kind of skill. Like other skills, listening takes practice.

Why don't you go to ' Listening' or 'Exam practice' for more practice?

And remember, time is on your side! Thoughts move about four times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give feedback to the speaker.