Blog Archives
Crossword – TOEFL 8 (solution)
Posted on 2012/12/17
Crossword – TOEFL 8
Posted on 2012/12/16
Across
2 the leader of a movement (8)
6 to force something on another (6)
9 to let go, set free (7)
12 a marshy place (3)
13 concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions (10)
14 a place where alcohol is served; to prohibit someone from doing something (3)
15 to misrepresent (5)
16 bashful, not liking attention (3)
17 an attempt by a large group of people within a country to take control using force and violence; rebellion (12)
18 to inflict disfiguring damage on (3)
22 the ability to think quickly and make good judgments (6)
23 a promise to do something (10)
25 to raise to a rigid or upright position (5)
26 to make a mistake (3)
27 incapable of being fatigued; incapable of getting tired (13)
30 stubborn, inflexible, unyielding (9)
31 a period of time characterized by particular circumstances (3)
32 looking ill, not bright (3)
Down
1 to think of something in a particular way, or as having a particular quality; consider (4)
3 have a tendency to do something (3)
4 devoid of or unaffected by passion; without emotion (13)
5 an indirect or remote effect or result of some action (12)
7 the path of a satellite (5)
8 to be the cause of a situation or feeling (8)
10 strong and determined refusal to change your mind (8)
11 unselective; not making or not based on careful distinctions (14)
19 good at doing something that needs care and skill (5)
20 an indirect or subtle, usually derogatory, implication in expression (8)
21 excellent (6)
24 a young, umarried woman (6)
28 anger, wrath (3)
29 opposite of high (3)
Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 5
Posted on 2012/12/15
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words. Currently, we’re looking at some common English idioms.
bite off more than one can chew: to attempt something that is too difficult
Example:
Jack is on the football team, in the band, in the drama club, and is taking all honors courses. I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew.
(flat) broke: without any money
Example:
I’m (flat) broke, and payday isn’t until next Friday. Could I possibly borrow a twenty?
Culture Focus: Winter Solstice
Posted on 2012/12/12
Winter Solstice – the rebirth of the Sun
December 21 marks the Winter Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the day with the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. This is due to the Earth being tilted 23½° on its axis relative to the plane of the Earth’s orbit. The tilt of the Earth also means that regions above the Arctic Circle (latitude 67½° N) do not see the sun for several weeks during this time of year.
In European culture, and in pre-Christian Northern European culture in particular, the Winter Solstice was a significant day, being the shortest day of the year. In the days and weeks leading up to the Winter Solstice, the days would get shorter. The dark days of winter were a time of hardship, due to not only the cold and darkness, but also because of the scarcity of food. Consequently, people in these pagan cultures would celebrate the Winter Solstice, which signified the rebirth of the Sun – seen as the giver and sustainer of life – with the days beginning to get gradually longer again. Various symbols or holiday practices grew out of these Winter Solstice celebrations, some of which survive today as Christmas traditions: the lighting of candles during the dark days, the burning of the Yule log, mistletoe, the exchanging of presents, and the holly are some examples.
Grammar Basics: Unit 55 – I went to the store to … (Solution)
Posted on 2012/12/12
Exercises. Write sentences starting with “I went to…,” matching a given phrase in the first set with an appropriate phrase from the second set.
Example:
(the library) (return a book) ==> I went to the library to return a book.
1. I went to the store to buy some bread.
2. I went to the train station to pick up Uncle Jack.
3. I went to the jeweler’s to have my watch repaired.
4. I went to City Hall to obtain a permit.
5. I went to the school to talk to Jane’s teacher.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using the given phrases.
Example:
Mother got up early (to prepare breakfast). ==> Mother got up early to prepare breakfast.
1. You need a password to log in.
2. Grandfather sat down to catch his breath.
3. Aunt Alice told a story to entertain the children.
4. Medieval people put gargoyles on buildings to ward off evil spirits.
5. Father drank some black coffee to stay awake.
6. Put the dough in the refrigerator to chill.
7. Uncle Paul hired a contractor to dig his well.
8. Tim joined a karate club to learn self-defense.
9. Mike played the same song over and over again to irritate his sister.
10. Mr. Smith called me to invite me to their holiday party.
Exercises. Write to or for.
Example:
I’m going to St. Louis ______ a business trip. ==> I’m going to St. Louis for a business trip.
I’m going to St. Louis ______ see the Cardinals play the Cubs. ==> I’m going to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play the Cubs.
1. Can you come to our house next weekend for a barbecue?
2. I called the dentist to make an appointment.
3. I called the doctor for my lab results.
4. Jack brought a snowblower to clear off the sidewalk.
5. Jacob tried to frighten Hannah to stop her hiccups.
6. Kelly knitted a pair of socks for her piano teacher.
7. Mother used a rag to polish the silver.
8. Peter carries a rabbit’s foot for good luck.
9. The plumber used a monkey wrench to loosen the rusted nut.
10. We went to Florida for Christmas.
Exercises. Complete the sentences, choosing from the following phrases.
Example:
The soldiers waited _____________________________. (their captain / give the all-clear signal) ==> The soldiers waited for their captain to give the all-clear signal.
1. The cat waited for the mouse to emerge from its hole.
2. I know you’re hungry, but we have to wait for Mother to come home.
3. The snowbound travelers waited for the snow to melt.
4. Sally waited for the phone to stop ringing.
5. The reporters are waiting for the President to give his speech.
Grammar Basics: Unit 55 – I went to the store to …
Posted on 2012/12/11
If we want to give a reason why a person does something, we use “to…”:
V + to V(inf)…
Examples:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone… (nursery rhyme)
I called the Pizza Stop to order a pizza.
Why did the chicken cross the road? —To get to the other side. (riddle)
Father sent a postcard to Grandmother to show her the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.
To have some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.
Jack stopped by the mall to buy a Christmas present.
Note: In this usage, “to V(inf)…” has exactly the same meaning as “in order to V(inf)…”:
Examples:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard (in order) to get her poor dog a bone…
I called the Pizza Stop (in order) to order a pizza.
Why did the chicken cross the road? — (In order) to get to the other side.
Note: Although using “to…” seems similar to using “for…,” there is an important difference:
“to V(inf)…” <– a verb follows “to”
“for N…” <– a noun follows “for”
Compare:
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone…
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard for a bone…I called the Pizza Stop to order a pizza.
I called the Pizza Stop for a pizza.Father sent a postcard to Grandmother to show her the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.
Father sent a postcard for Grandmother.To have some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.
For some peace and quiet, Mother told the children to play outside.Jack stopped by the mall to buy a Christmas present.
Jack stopped by the mall for a Christmas present.
Other differences with “to…” and “for…”:
“wait for…”: wait on account of someone or something, because of someone or something
Children don’t like to wait for Christmas.
We got to the station early, so we had to wait for the train.
“wait to…”: wait to do something
Mother was so tired she couldn’t wait to get home and go to bed.
Jack had to wait to open his Christmas present.
Simba couldn’t wait to be king.
“wait for (somebody/something) to …”: wait for someone or something to do something
The pupils sat quietly and waited for their teacher to arrive.
I can’t wait for Uncle Pete to come visit us!
Children’s Rhyme: Old Mother Hubbard
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone;
When she came there,
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.
Old Mother Hubbard and her Dog
She went to the baker’s
To buy him some bread;
When she came back
The dog was dead!
She went to the undertaker’s
To buy him a coffin;
When she came back
The dog was laughing.
She took a clean dish
to get him some tripe;
When she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the alehouse
To get him some beer;
When she came back
The dog sat in a chair.
She went to the tavern
For white wine and red;
When she came back
The dog stood on his head.
She went to the fruiterer’s
To buy him some fruit;
When she came back
He was playing the flute.
She went to the tailor’s
To buy him a coat;
When she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the hatter’s
To buy him a hat;
When she came back
He was feeding her cat.
She went to the barber’s
To buy him a wig
When she came back
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the cobbler’s
To buy him some shoes;
When she came back
He was reading the news.
She went to the sempstress
To buy him some linen;
When she came back
The dog was spinning.
She went to the hosier’s
To buy him some hose;
When she came back
He was dressed in his clothes.
The Dame made a curtsy,
The dog made a bow;
The Dame said, Your servant;
The dog said, Bow-wow.
This wonderful dog
Was Dame Hubbard’s delight,
He could read, he could dance,
He could sing, he could write;
She gave him rich dainties
Whenever he fed,
And erected this monument
When he was dead.
Exercises. Write sentences starting with “I went to…,” matching a given phrase in the first set with an appropriate phrase from the second set.
Example:
(the library) (return a book) ==> I went to the library to return a book.
Set A
City Hall
the jeweler’s
the school
the store
the train station
Set B
buy some bread
have my watch repaired
obtain a permit
pick up Uncle Jack
talk to Jane’s teacher
1. ______________________________________.
2. ______________________________________.
3. ______________________________________.
4. ______________________________________.
5. ______________________________________.
Exercises. Complete the following sentences, using the given phrases.
Example:
Mother got up early (to prepare breakfast). ==> Mother got up early to prepare breakfast.
to catch his breath
to chill
to dig his well
to entertain the children
to invite me to their holiday party
to irritate his sister
to learn self-defense
to log in
to stay awake
to ward off evil spirits
1. You need a password _____________________________.
2. Grandfather sat down _____________________________.
3. Aunt Alice told a story _____________________________.
4. Medieval people put gargoyles on buildings _____________________________.
5. Father drank some black coffee _____________________________.
6. Put the dough in the refrigerator _____________________________.
7. Uncle Paul hired a contractor _____________________________.
8. Tim joined a karate club _____________________________.
9. Mike played the same song over and over again _____________________________.
10. Mr. Smith called me _____________________________.
Exercises. Write to or for.
Example:
I’m going to St. Louis ______ a business trip. ==> I’m going to St. Louis for a business trip.
I’m going to St. Louis ______ see the Cardinals play the Cubs. ==> I’m going to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play the Cubs.
1. Can you come to our house next weekend ______ a barbecue?
2. I called the dentist ______ make an appointment.
3. I called the doctor ______ my lab results.
4. Jack brought a snowblower ______ clear off the sidewalk.
5. Jacob tried to frighten Hannah ______ stop her hiccups.
6. Kelly knitted a pair of socks ______ her piano teacher.
7. Mother used a rag ______ polish the silver.
8. Peter carries a rabbit’s foot ______ good luck.
9. The plumber used a monkey wrench ______ loosen the rusted nut.
10. We went to Florida ______ Christmas.
Exercises. Complete the sentences, choosing from the following phrases.
Example:
The soldiers waited _____________________________. (their captain / give the all-clear signal) ==> The soldiers waited for their captain to give the all-clear signal.
(the President // give his speech)
(Mother // come home)
(the mouse // emerge from its hole)
(the phone // stop ringing)
(the snow // melt)
1. The cat waited _____________________________.
2. I know you’re hungry, but we have to wait _____________________________.
3. The snowbound travelers waited _____________________________.
4. Sally waited _____________________________.
5. The reporters are waiting _____________________________.
Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 32
Posted on 2012/12/09
Across
1 the power that is carried by wires, etc and is used to make light or heat, to make machines work, etc (11)
5 the part of an object that is farthest from its center (4)
7 a set of books that give detailed information about various topics (12)
12 the big light in the night sky (4)
14 bubbly white wine (9)
15 a word used to ask or talk about how successful someone is at something; auxiliary verb (2)
16 army man who fights in a war (7)
17 a pronoun used to say that it doesn’t matter which thing or person is chosen, because the result will be the same (9)
23 a row of lights along the front of the stage in a theatre (10)
24 the outer layer of a person’s or animal’s body (4)
25 in or at some place not specified, determined, or known (9)
27 a place where alcoholic drinks are served; a small block of solid material that is longer than it is wide (3)
28 someone who hates you and wants to harm you; opposite of friend (5)
30 also (3)
32 something that doesn’t cost any money (4)
34 the removal or destruction of something (11)
37 to state that something is true, even though it has not been proved (5)
38 a negative answer; opposite of yes (2)
Down
1 physical activity for health or strength (8)
2 the part of the body that you see with; eye (7)
3 a straight, narrow beam of light (3)
4 opposite of bottom (3)
5 a specific idea, fact, thing, etc. that is used to explain a general idea, or to show what is typical of a larger group (7)
6 flat and level, with no parts that are higher than other parts (4)
8 a small round container, usually with a handle, that you use for drinking something (3)
9 a small amount of tobacco, rolled up in thin paper and smoked (9)
10 weighing more than someone or something is supposed to weigh (10)
11 the final part; opposite of the beginning; to conclude an event, etc (3)
13 on one occasion only (4)
18 money or property that you receive from someone who has died (11)
19 the sound a snake makes (4)
20 something that will be different in different situations, so you cannot be sure what will happen (8)
21 an animal like a mouse, only bigger (3)
22 roughhousing; rough, noisy play (9)
23 a man who fishes, especially for a living (9)
26 the fifth month (3)
29 a dry, brown fruit inside a hard shell that grows on a tree (3)
31 a preposition used to show what a part belongs to or comes from (2)
33 a bar that is fastened to a wall or other object, either to protect you from falling, or to prevent you from going somewhere (4)
35 conjunction used for comparing two things (2)
36 a word used when talking about something that might happen or be true, or might have happened (2)
Idiom Focus: Common English Idioms 4
Posted on 2012/12/08
Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words. Currently, we’re looking at some common English idioms.
be sick and tired of: to be disappointed regarding an ongoing situation, and want something to change
Example:
Jack wants to move to Florida. He’s sick and tired of cold, snowy winters.
bend over backwards: to do whatever is necessary or do everything possible, usually to help someone or to make someone satisfied
Example:
I don’t understand why the guest in Room 313 is upset with me. I bent over backwards to make sure his suite was immaculate and comfortable.
Culture Focus: Advent
Posted on 2012/12/05
Last Sunday was the first Sunday in Advent according to the Christian liturgical (church) calendar. Advent marks the start of the Christmas season. The term “advent” comes from a Latin root meaning “to come” or “coming.” In the Bible, the people of the Old Testament anticipated (looked forward to) the coming of a Messiah. Christians believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and celebrate his birth at Christmas. Hence, we call the four-week period before Christmas “Advent.” In Christian churches it is a common practice to have an “Advent wreath.” An Advent wreath is a horizontal wreath with four or five candles. One candle is lit on the first Sunday in Advent, two candles are lit on the second Sunday, and so on, with the fifth and final candle (sometimes called the “Christ candle”) being lit on Christmas Day.
With the secularization of Christmas, there is not a great emphasis on the religious significance of Advent. However, some of the anticipatory aspect is retained with the cultural tradition of an “Advent calendar.” As you might imagine, children love Christmas, and they find it difficult to wait for the big day. Twenty-five days is a very long time when you’re a child, especially if you don’t know how to read a calendar! So to help children count down the days until Christmas, they use an Advent calendar. An Advent calendar is a calendar with twenty-four “doors” representing the dates December 1 through December 24. Every day starting at the beginning of the month, children count down to Christmas by opening up a door, revealing a picture, a poem, part of a story, or similar item to capture and hold the interest of the children. Some calendars might even have a small toy or chocolate behind the door.
In America, a kind of “audio” Advent calendar is a radio program called “The Cinnamon Bear.” First aired in 1937, “The Cinnamon Bear” is an old-fashioned radio show consisting of a series of 26 fifteen-minute episodes that ran daily from late November until Christmas Eve (December 24). The story follows the adventures of twins Judy and Jimmy as they try to get the Silver Star to put on top of their Christmas tree. Various things happen to the Silver Star – the Star gets lost or stolen by different characters – so each episode ends in a “cliff hanger,” which encourages the children to tune in the next day to find out if Judy and Jimmy will ever manage to get their Silver Star back so they can finish decorating their Christmas tree. Some radio stations air this beloved program every year, starting just after Thanksgiving. If you like, you can listen to the episodes here. It’s great listening practice for ESL!