Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The English alphabet

Is it important? Yes! Why? When you go to an international airport, you show your identity card / passport. Often the airport personnel (Mitarbeiter) ask you to 'spell' you name. 


 Let's give it a go shall we?

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

CAE writing linking words - time

Over the last weeks we have looked at ways to chese your writing.  Here is yet one more reminder: linking words are a must!


CAE Writing: Linking Words
Time
Click on the answer A or B that completes each sentence. Find the solutions under the exercise.
1) ........ I didn't really enjoy the course, but after a while I really started to enjoy it.
  A    In the beginning
  B   At the beginning
2) ........ of the film the main character arrives in town looking for somewhere to stay.
  A    In the beginning
  B   At the beginning
3) We waited ages for a bus. ........ we decided to walk home.
  A    Eventually
  B   At last
4) The audience waited patiently for the delayed performance to start. ........ the curtain rose.
  A    Lastly
  B   At last
5) I waited for you ........ 10.00. I finally decided you weren't coming.
  A    before
  B   until
6) I managed to get the house tidy ........ my parents got home.
  A    before
  B   until
7) ........ had I gone to bed than I heard the phone ring.
  A    Hardly
  B   As soon as
8) I played a lot of tennis ........ I was on holiday.
  A    during
  B   while


Solutions: 1A              2 B            3A              4B              5B              6A              7A             8B

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

CAE writing linking words - reason

When we write about a topic we often need to give reasons to support our thoughts.  Here is a way to practice that:
CAE Writing: Linking Words
Reason
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first using the word given. Use no more than SIX words and do not change the form of the word in capitals. Find the solutions under the exercise.

1) The accident happened because of terrible weather.
RESULT
The accident.............................................. bad weather.

2) The train was cancelled so I missed my appointment.
CONSEQUENCE
....................................... the train cancellation I missed my appointment.

3) They decided to buy a new car because of the problems they were having with their old one.
SINCE
They decided to buy a new car ................................... problems with their old one.

4) We were unable to contact you as communications were so poor.
OWING
We couldn't contact you ...................................... communications were so poor.

5) You have been late every morning this week so we have deducted the lost time from your wages.
DUE
We have deducted money from your wages ................... you have been late every morning this week.

6) I was sent home from school because I was feeling sick.
ACCOUNT
The student was sent home ................................................................. the fact that he was feeling sick.

7) It was too far to walk so we caught the bus.
ENOUGH
We got the bus as ........................................................... to walk.

8) The film was so boring that we decided to leave early.
SUCH
........................................................ we decided to leave early.

Solutions:


1) was a result of       
2) As a consequence of               
3) since having                            
4)owing to the fact that              
5)due to the fact (that)      
6)on account of                   
7) it wasn’t near enough             
8) It was such a boring film