Episodi
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Emphasis is used with lots of auxiliary verbs:
- I MUST get to the shop before it closes.
- You SHOULD try and finish the painting today. I'm fed up with smelling paint all over the house.
- I do like your new tie. It's so colourful!
- I do want to go and see that new film Anora. You know, the film that won all those oscars.
- Well, I saw it. I don't think it's suitable for you, if your favourite film is the Sound of Music.
- I do wish it would stop raining. I can't get out at the weekend.
Third person:
- Mary does like new job. She has chances of promotion now that she never had before.
2nd person
- You know, you do annoy me with all the regaton music you play at full volume in your bedroom.
Past tense
- I did want to go away last weekend, but we gave up the idea because of the rain.
In negatives:
- You helped yourself to my biscuits again, didn't you?
- I didn't, actually. I'm on a diet. It must have been Yvonne.
Questions:
- Where have you been all this time, Peter?
- I borrowed your car, Mum. Just went out for a short drive.
- You did, did you? And without my permission. Well, you're grounded for the rest of the week.To read the dialogue, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-231.htm
Podcasts on intonation
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-43.htm
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-97.htm
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-103.htm
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-197.htm
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-126.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The Visitors
This is the full version of my story The Visitors recorded in October of last year. The level is B2, but my B1 students are also invited, of course! ;-)
These are the comprehension questions: (the answers are further down - but don't look at those yet!!
1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why?
2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there?
3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?
4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?
Answers:
1) Who said he didn't want to be rescued and why?
‘Rescue mission!’ the admiral suddenly shouted and he looked irritated. ‘Who are they gonna rescue? I don’t need rescuing, thank you very much! I have a nice home and beautiful family right here on Honolulu Island.
2) What is the bridge of a ship, and why did the scientists and naval officers all go there?
They hurried along the deck and in through a door that led to the bridge* - the highest part of the ship and the best place to get an all-round view of the surrounding darkening sea and sky.
3) Where was the alien ship when the ship's crew first detected it?
‘Sonar?’ interrupted Pierre. ‘Do you mean it’s under the water?’ The captain ignored him.
‘Estimated time of arrival?’
‘Four minutes, Captain! It’s incredible! There’s nothing that can travel that speed under water! I… I don’t get it!’
4) Why did Pierre Lafayette say "Merde!" at the end of the story?
‘Merde!’ said Pierre ('merde' is a swaer word in French) to anyone who might be listening to him. ‘They want nothing to do with us!’
(The alien spaceship had come to rescue the dolphins and whales of the ocean, and was not interested in making contact with the humans!)
Hope you enjoyed the story and learned some new language from it!
Mike.
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Episodi mancanti?
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Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Adjectives with hyphen at B1 level
good-looking (only with hyphen) - attractive (for people, often men)
well-known - a lot of people have heard of it and know it/him/her
old-fashioned (only with hyphen) - (often criticising something) not new, not in fashion
well-dressed - dressed in attractive clothes, smart, elegant
up-to-date - (usually technology) the newest in software, hardware, computers etc.
middle-aged - around 50 years old
face-to-face (only with hyphen) (also adv. came face-to-face with the burglar) - talk to somebody while looking at them in the same room.
out-of-date - (fashion, technology) not new, there are more up-to-date versions, or a more recent fashion, or more modern.
hand-held (only with hyphen) - held in the hand e.g. like a mobile phone.
next-door (adv. next door) - referring to your neighbours. They live next to you. A house with is next to another.
full-time - (work) a complete schedule. 40 hours a week, for example. Compare with 'part-time'.
self-service (only with hyphen) - (usually a restaurant) where you get your own food from the counter, no waiters or waitresses.
first-floor - on the first floor of a building.
second-hand (only with hyphen) - not new, has been used before.
We can also invent words by putting the adjective and noun together to make another adjective: dark-haired, short-haired, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt.
Young people's slang in Great Britain
Ace - really good
Bog off - go away and leave me alone.
Bonkers - crazy
Chippy - fish-and-chip shop
Chuffed - really pleased
Fancy - want to do something
Snog - kiss
dead wealthy / dead boring
go for a spin
To see the dialogue, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-229.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Words and expressions for emphasis- The reason is I like working with people, I have experience of looking after elderly people and I enjoy volunteering work.
- The problem is I’m a little lazy, I am often late for work because I sleep in.
- The fact (of the matter is) is that the planet is warming and many species are dying.
- The fact is we need computers to function better in business.
- It is true that a lot of accidents are caused by motorbikes. But the point is that the car if far more dangerous.
- The thing is, he is in a wheelchair and cannot access his own house because of the high steps.
To read the full dialogue, go to my website at: Practising English, podcast 228...
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Future Forms in English
I'm not going to talk about future tense and predictions, but other uses of future tense.Going to and present continuous for future
Going to – plans and intentions that we have;
I'm going to pay Mum a visit later today. She's not feeling well.
Strong intentions.
I'm going to learn German next year. It's something I've always wanted to do.
Present continuous – something that had been planned earlier – some sort of planning has taken place. You have a plan now. That's why we often call this present –future. You've made an appointment, you've phoned somebody about it, etc. You might write these things in your diary – if you have one.
The Jones's are coming round to dinner this evening. (I've called them)
I'm having my haircut this afternoon. (I have an appointment)
But I could say those above with ‘going to' as well.
Be careful – present continuous doesn't work well if you want to express strong intention about something you've been thinking about doing, like your intention to learn German:
I'm learning German next year – does not express that intention.
Better:
I'm going to learn German next year, if it's the last thing I do.
I'm going to keep asking her until she says yes.
In British English, you'll hear present continuous used more with verbs of movement.
I'm just popping out to buy a newspaper.
Are you coming down the pub, Dave?
Where are you going for your holidays this summer.Will
Will does not talk about any planning at all. It describes actions in the future when you decided to do that thing at that moment.
I can't open this tin of tomatoes.
I'll do it for you!
Mum told me she was feeling lonely.
Really? I'll give her a call this afternoon.
So then we need to remember that when we talk about these future actions later. We just used the past tense of these forms.Past tense of going to
I was going to study German this year but I haven't started yet.
You said you were coming down the pub, Dave. Where are you?
The Jones's were going to come to dinner this evening, but they can't make it.
So the past tense of ‘will' is ‘would'
You said you would open this tin of tomatoes. Well you haven't done it.
See the dialogue at...
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-227.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here:https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Now it's interesting that we use get as a verb of motion. Often, when it's difficult to actually move. Have you noticed that we say,
Would you like to get into my car.
Now, you go into your house, you open the door and you walk in. You don't usually get into your house, but you get into a car. Why? Because you have to bend down usually to get in. So you get into a car. Perhaps you're up a ladder, you know, a ladder, which takes you upwards. If you're painting a wall, for example. And you don't like heights. So you find it difficult to get down the ladder. To get down. It means just to step down, to walk down the ladder.
Now, we might say, to get into a house, especially if there's some difficulty. For a burglar, for example, somebody who breaks a window and gets into your house that way. So last year, a burglar got into my house, he broke the window and opened it from the inside and got in and stole a television. So there, it's difficult because he has to break the window. So there we do say to get into the house.
I can't get in. The door's locked.
The old lady can't get across the road, there's too much traffic.
The cat's climbed up the tree, and now it can't get down.
Nobody can get to their homes because of the floods.
We've put the biscuit tin on the top shelf so that little Jonny can't get at/to it. (reach)
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-226.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Why my students say 'enter the classroom'Where there is movement, there's a preposition, and a preposition is used in the same way we use preposition of place (where things are)
He ran across the street.
The dog ran after the cat.
Go / run / walk / swim etc. along this street until you get to the crossroads and then turn right.
I walked among the all the people.
They travelled all around / round the country.
The little girl walked between her mother and father.
He ran down the stairs.
She got into her car and drove away.
The cat fell off the chair.
She got onto the motorbike and drove away.
The eagle flew over the mountains.
The train went through the tunnel.
She ran under the bridge.
My cat climbed up the tree.
To see the audioscript and more help, visit my website
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-225.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
In today's story, I'll be looking at some B2-level phrasal verbs.
I explain 5 of the phrasal verbs below in the podcast: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10. You can listen to all ten of these phrasal verbs. They are in the order you'll hear them.
1) figure something out - try to find the answer to a problem
2) get on with something - continue an activity you were doing earlier
3) get round to something - do one of the jobs that needs doing but you don't find time for it
4) go down with something - to get ill
5) get over a bad cold etc. - recuperate from an illness
6) live up to your expectations - when something is as good as you expected it to be e.g. a product you bought
7) put somebody up - give temporary accommodation to somebody
8) stick out - something can be seen because it is showing from inside something e.g. a handkerchief sticking out somebody's pocket
9) miss out on an opportunity - lose an opportunity you did not take advantage of
10) Get round to something (repeat of nº3)
To see the answers, please visit my website at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-224.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
To write a successful story for the Cambridge PET exam (Preliminary English Test)
Here is some of the help and advice I talk about in the podcast. I will also read you a model story.You are always given a first sentence, which you must use.
'When Jasmin looked down at the soft ground, she could see quite clearly that the tiger had recently come this way.'
Use of 'when' here. 'When ' is a good word to use in your story as it means you create a complex, 2-part sentence.Setting the scene - where the story is happening etc.
It was foggy in the early morning light, but she clearly noticed that something was moving in the long grass.
Here we can show where the action is happening, and things that can be seen from where we are. Note the use of past continuous.Putting the story into context by saying what happened before.
It had all started when she began hanging out with gamers*. They said she was a ‘natural’. So she had started training. All that time spent in the gym working out to get fit for the most realistic computer game ever.
Notice the use of the past perfect here to talk about what happened before the present moment in the story.Use of linking words.
Despite, however, although, so, because...Back to the present action...
She turned and set off again.
We now use past simple to describe the action in the story.Use of adverbs like, luckily, fortunately, unfortunately, slowly etc.
She fell about ten metres. Luckily, her fall was broken by a branch
Fortunately, she had not reached the bottom,
Although this world was not real, the tears on her cheeks were wet, and the cold morning fog and her fear made her body shake.
(linker 'however' - making the story exciting - what happened next?)
However, what happened next made Jasmin scream. The branch began to break - slowly, at first. You could also finish with a more classical ending than mine
Finally, her friends came to rescue Jasmine and took her out of the virtual world.
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Strong B1 to B2-level story. Today, as I'm still on holiday, I'm offering you the complete version of the very popular story I published in September - A Window on Time. Read and listen to the comprehension questions before you start listening.
1) What was the bad news Geoffrey received at the beginning of the story?
2) What physical changes happened to Geoffrey when he entered the classroom for the first time?
3) Why did Geoffrey stay in the classroom and not make an attempt to get back to his own time?
4) What was the plan that Geoffrey, or Geoffer, Ken and Timmy made for 6.30 that evening?
5) Why did Geoffrey decide not to stay in the past as a teenager, and live his life again?
Below, are the answers. Please, don't look until you have listened to the story!
1) What was the bad news Geoffrey received at the beginning of the story?
He learned from the hospital that he possibly had cancer.
2) what physical changes happened to Geoffrey when he entered the classroom for the first time?
a) his skin was younger and fairer
b) he had lost his stomach - he now had a firm, flat tummy
c) his voice was higher pitched.
d) He was 14 again.
3) Why did Geoffrey stay in the classroom and not make an attempt to get back to his own time?
Because he was excited to at the thought of seeing his parents again.
4) What was the plan that Geoffrey or Geoffer, Ken and Timmy made for 6.30 that evening?
Ken was going to bring some cigarettes and they were going to smoke them.
5) Why did Geoffrey decide not to stay in the past as a teenager, and live his life again?
He realised he would make the same foolish mistakes, and he missed his wife and two children.
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
Victims of Nature Complete Version (B1, B2)
This is the full version of the two story parts published last September.
Comprehension questions
1) What reasons did Alberto's mother give Alberto for leaving the Alpujarra?
2) What did Gustavo mean by the comment "we're just victims of nature"?
3) The story says, "When Alberto saw the pink clouds at dawn, he knew bad weather was on the way". What was the saying mentioned in the story which told Alberto there was going to be a storm?
4) Why was Alberto worried when he saw the effects of the storm on the mountain?
5) Why did the picnickers run away from the pool?
6) Was this a true story?
There are some more exercises at my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-206.htm
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-207.htm
Answers to the questions above - please listen to the podcast first before you read the answers.
1) What reasons did Alberto's mother give Alberto for leaving the Alpujarra?
She said Alberto would be bored:
"You’ll be bored stiff. Only sheep, poverty and danger around here. Do you want to be a shepherd for the rest of your life?"
She said Alberto should be like his brother, Gustavo:
"Your brother took a risk and left. Look at him now. He’s taken charge of his life: he’s set up his own business in Granada - paying a mortgage on his flat. He has an expensive car and a lovely wife and baby."
She said Alberto would probably die in the Alpujarra:
Where’s that going to lead you?’ Off a cliff probably, off another cliff - just like your father, and tears fell down her cheeks.
2) What did Gustavo mean by the comment "we're just victims of nature"?
That the mountainous Alpujarra was too dangerous to live in:
This place defeats a human being. Those mountains are too big, too dangerous. You can’t beat them. Life here is beyond our control. This land will kill you in the end. Here, we’re just victims of nature itself.’
3) The story says, "When Alberto saw the pink clouds at dawn, he knew bad weather was on the way". What was the saying mentioned in the story which told Alberto there was going to be a storm?
“Red sky at night, shepherds' delight, but red sky in the morning, shepherds’ warning”, which means red clouds in the evening means good weather tomorrow, but red clouds in the morning bad weather that day.
4) Why was Alberto worried when he saw the effects of the storm on the mountain?
He was worried about the picnickers lower down the river in Trevelez:
"Every day in August the place was full of swimmers and picnickers. Those enormous wooden logs were rushing towards them. To make matters worse, they would fall over the waterfall down into the swimming pool below killing everybody in their path."
5) Why did the picnickers run away from the pool?
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
B1 B2-level story with exra Christmas idioms included. I have re-written this story for my English students.
Ebenezer Scrooge visits his nephew for Christmas dinner and surprises Bob Cratchit with some astonishing news.
Phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase in the story? You can see the answers after you listen in the audioscript below.
1) Give somebody the cold shoulder
To be rude to somebody by ignoring them.
e.g. I think my colleagues were jealous I got a promotion at work, as they gave me the cold shoulder.
2) Christmas comes but once a year
We should take advantage of a special event and enjoy it - because they don't happen very often.
e.g. Let's stop arguing and enjoy ourselves at this party - Christmas comes but once a year.
3) Be in the holiday spirit
Mostly refers to Christmas holidays. To enjoy onself at Christmas, and forget work or studies.
e.g. I've put all my study books away. I want to be in the holiday spirit.
4) The proof of the pudding is in the eating
Only by actually doing something can we know something is really true.
e.g. I think I've fixed this computer, but let's switch it on and see. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
5) Skating on thin ice
Taking a big risk.
e.g. When John argued with the boss yesterday, he was skating on thin ice. He could lose his job.
6) A piece of cake
Something is very easy to do.
e.g. I can solve the puzzle of the Rubik's cube easily now. It's a piece of cake.
7) The more the merrier
The more people who join a group the better the event will be.
e.g. 'Can I join you and Mary for coffee?' 'Of course! The more the merrier!'
8) Feel at home (make yourself at home)
Feel comfortable in somebody else's home.
e.g. 'Please, take a seat. Make yourself at home!' 'Thank you, I feel very much at home.'
9) Be my guest
Said when somebody offers you food in their home.
e.g. 'May I have another biscuit? They're delicious!' 'Please! Be my guest!'
10) Make merry
to enjoy yourself at a party
e.g. I feel really tired today. Yesterday I ws making merry at Steve's birthday party.'
You can see the answers, and read the full transcript to the story at my website here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-220.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
"Scrooge jumped out of bed and rushed over to the window, opened it, and put his head out. There was no fog, no mist; it was a clear, bright, cheerful day...."
This is the last chapter of Charles' Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol adapted to B2 level.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each word?1) seasonal - refers to a time of year e.g. seasonal decorations (during the Christmas season)
2) remarkable - a wonderful qualities, for a person, perhaps intelligent, clever.
3) astonished - very surprised
4) absurd - ridiculous, very strange
5) cautious - being very careful because you are suspicious about something
6) arrogant - showing yourself to be superior to others
7) uncertain - not sure about something
8) delightful - wonderful, lovely
9) worthwhile - you do it because you know the results will be positive
10) unbearable - you can't stand something, usually a situation you want to get away from it
11) exceptional - of superior quality than other examples of something
12) priceless - so valuable it has no price at all
To read the answers to the task, go to my webpage: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-219.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
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Jonathon goes to the bank to claim his prize, but he comes away with something he didn't expect.
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?1, get rid of - try to make disappear
2, be taken in - makes you believe something bad
3, live for - be a very important thing in your life
4, fall apart - collapse, disappear so it exists no longer
5, see to something - make something happen
6, let somebody down - not help somebody so they are at a disadvantage
The vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1, tk cr of something - do something very carefully
2, shv - cut hair from face or legs
3, accnt - where you keep money in a bank
4, lk up - check sth in a book, computer, etc.
5, b in tch with - keep contact with
B2-level
1, attmpt - trying to do something
2, qlfd - somebody with the training and experience
3, mnnrs - behaving politely
4, stnnngly - very, very much, amazingly
5, blngngs - things that are yours
To see the answers: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-218.htm
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
English podcast story for B1, B2 levels (intermediate - upper intermediate) - Jonathon Baxter has spent ten years walking around Britain, playing his harmonica to survive. Then he decides to return to his home, but what will he find?
B2 phrases to listen for. What is the context of each phrase?1, more or less (finished etc.) = nearly
2, obliged to = you have to
3, not have the slightest intention = (used in the neagative) not want or will not do something
4, neither (inversion = e.g. neither do I like...) / neither... nor... e.g. I don't want to do neither one thing or the other
5, drop in = an informal visit
6) turn up = arrive without an appointment
Vocabulary testThe vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have been taken out (unless the word begins with a vowel). Read the definition and guess the word in bold.
B1-level
1) ow - when you must pay somebody money because it is theirs
2) unbl - you cannot do it
3) brng up - the care and protection that parents give their children until they are adults
4) sgntr - your written name
5) lttry - tickets you buy to try to win a money prize
B2-level
1) dbt - the money you owe to somebody
2) dstrb - by making noise etc. other people get annoyed
3) incm - the money you earn in your job
4) py off - pay the money that you have borrowed
5) shbby - untidy clothes
You can find the answers at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-217.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
B1 words and expressions studied:
In this B1-level podcast today, I'll also discuss 6 interesting intermediate B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story.
Intermediate-level words and expressions:lack of something - not enough of something
get rid of somebody - tell somebody to leave
out of work - to have lost your job
try your best - do a task the best way you can
stay behind - to wait after others have left
consist of something - talks about the parts of something
To see answers and read the full transcript, go to my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-216.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
In this B1-level podcast today I'll use lots of important vocabulary and expressions to talk about daily actions. I'll also discuss 10 interesting B1-level words, which you can listen for while you listen to the short story.
I'll analyse these intermediate-level words and expressions:
no going back - you cannot go to where you were earlier, or if you start something, you cannot leave it but must carry on.
warning - a notice or something spoken to tell us to be careful of a danger
damage your health - to harm (B2) or do something that can make you ill
step into / step out of - go in or out of something you get to by using your feet
fresh - can mean cool, such as a cool breeze (but not cold); it can also mean not bad when referring to fruit; or it can mean 'new' such as 'fresh ideas'
admire - to look at a picture etc. and realise you like it; or to look up to somebody (B2) when we think somebody is wonderful because of their qualities.
backwards - moving in the opposite way from forwards; or something like a word seen the other way around e.g. ENGLISH = HSILGNE
funny - amusing, it makes you laugh; also strange or peculiar
topic of discussion - a subject to talk about
can't help + verb + ing - something we do but perhaps should not do like eating too much chocolate.
For answers and transcript of story, see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-215.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The upper-intermediate phrsal verbs studied in today's episode are:
look up to - admire somebody because of their qualities
fall apart - to break into pieces, probably because it's old
date from - saying how old something is, from what year something is
think sth over - consider something carefully
take on - offer a contract of work to somebody
miss out - not to take advantage of an opportunity which would bring benefits
come across - find something unexpectedly, find something you were not looking for or didn't expect to find
do without - not need something, even though it may or may not help you
Listen for the phrsal verbs in the story and not down the context. Youbcan find the answers at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-214.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
This is another podcast on B1 intermediate phrasal verbs - those a little difficult to learn. The ones I will talk about are:
put on - to switch on or activate some device (electrical?)
sign up - to join or becme part of a club etc.
show up - to arrive somewhere unexpectedly.
deal with - to try to resolve a problem
take up - to begin a new sport, hobby or other activity
carry on - to continue, often when things seem difficult.
Listen to the context these phrasal verbs are used in during the story. Answers are given at the end of the episode. You can read the full transcript of the story and read the answers at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-213.htm
Solidarity with the people who have suffered after the Valencia storms (Spain)!At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) -
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
The six B1 phrasal verbs studied are:
give up - stop doing some activity e.g. smoking, or a game because you are losing.
end up - to finish in a place probably you didn't expect to find yourself in.
put off - to do some activity at a later time.
set off - to start a journey.
run out - to find you have no more of something e.g. petrol in your car, milk in the fridge.
look forward - wait excitedly for an event to happen.
For story transcript and answers: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-212.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology) - Mostra di più
