The Beginning
First developed in 1879, the first radios were bulky, noisy, and had poor reception. With the advent of improved technologies such as vacuum tubes and rectifiers, the radio was honed into the interesting little device that made it into such a craze during the 1920s.
Once radio signals could be transmtted and received with improved clarity around 1920, the idea of public radio began to take hold in America. The first public radio broadcasting station opened in Pittsburgh, 1922. It was an instant success; listeners would sit around the radio listening to everything that was broadcasted. As a result many more radio stations popped up during the 20s, some even over night.
The Effect on America
Radio provided a cheap and convenient way of conveying information and ideas. The first broadcasts consisted of primarily news and world affairs. Later in the decade, radios were used to broadcast everything from concerts and sermons to "Red Menace" ideas.
The radio was certainly one of the most important inventions of the 1920s, because it not only brought the nation together, but it brought a whole new way for people to communicate and interact.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Verb Tenses - Exercises
A. Complete this text about S. Paulo, Brazil, using the Simple Present or the Present Continuous
Everyone ____________ (know) what a megacity ___________(look) like. Take S. Paulo for example. S. Paulo _____________ (be) one of the most densely populated cities in the world. A third of its population ___________ (live) in slums, where their standart of living is unbelievably low.
Today safety in S. Paulo ______________ (get) worse and worse and social discontent _____________ (grow) bigger and bigger. Robberies and assaults _____________ (happen) everywhere, everyday.
In an effort to stop violence the government _________ (try) to take stricter safety measures, but things _____________ (not seem) easy to solve.
Adapted from "That's It!" 11º Ano
B. Choose the correct form the verbs in brackets.
1. Many people (think/ are thinking) that the battle for a "better and clean world" is helpless.
2. Environmentalists (are feeling/will feel) totally satisfied when there is no more pollution.
3. People often (left/leave) rubbish behind when they go on a picnic.
4. They (are having/ have) a panel on environmental issues on BBC this evening at 10.
5. I always (am taking/take) public transport to school. This way I try to minimise the human impact on earth.
6. Due to recent disasters, some people all over Europe ( protest/are protesting) against the use of aging oil tankers.
7. My friend Peter (has left/left) for Italy a few days ago.
8. She fell asleep while the train (rolled/was rolling) slowly down the mountain.
9. He always (feel/feels) sick when he smokes a cigarette.
11.If she studies, I’m sure she (is passing/ will pass) her exams.
12. The train (had already left /has already left) when we got to the station.
13. We (see/will see) Mary on Monday.
14. The next train (leaves/will leave) at 7.30
15. They (emigrated/have emigrated) to America in 1965 and (have lived/ live) there since then.
16. Mr Davis (is/ has been) in hospital since he (was/ has been) run over by a bus two weeks ago.
17. The Davies (have just moved/ just moved) into a new flat, you know.
18. Many people (lose/lost) their lives and property in the Great Fire of London.
C. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form.
1. My friends and I usually ............ out to the disco on Saturday nights. (go)
2. My children never ............... their beds when they .......... to school. (make/leave)
3. The Douglas ............... a well-paid job (not have)
4. The English ............ tea about six times a day (drink)
5. The postman ................ twice a day. (not come)
6. George, what .................... this morning? (you/do)
7. Look! He .............. now. (come).
8. She ............. at home this evening (stay).
9. I ........... tickets for the cinema tonight (buy)
10. I hope it ............... nice day next Sunday, (be)
11. What ............., if he doesn't come? (you/will)
12. I ............. there on time. I promise you. (be)
13 ................. to a rock concert? (you/ever/be)
14. Tom's father ................. a musician since he left school. (be)
15. I ................. . for the cinema tickets. (already/pay)
16. ................ the seats yet? ( you/book)
17. Jill .......... in New York for two weeks, but she ......... a musical on Broadway yet. (be/not see)
18. The band .............. the studio (just/left)
19. They ............. to this town three years ago. (move)
20. I ................ my last holidays in Spain . (spend)
21. Last night I .............. asleep while I .................. TV. (fall /watch)
22. The phone ............ while I ................. a bath yesterday. (rang/ have)
23. It .............. to rain as I .............. home, (begin/ walk)
24. When I came home last night, she ............... (already/leave).
25. They ...............all the seats when I got to the box office. (already/sell)
26. What ................., if you saw a ghost in your bed? (you/do)
D. Choose the correct form of the verb in brackets .
1. ________________ you (read/have read) Rachel Carson's Silent Spring? Yes, I __________ (have/did). I __________ (read/have read) it a few months ago.
2. Although Silent Spring was written many years ago people _____________ (didn't cease/haven't ceased) to admire it.
3. Rachel Carson's books ____________ (contribute/have contributed) a lot to rise concern about environmental issues.
4. Rachel Carson ___________ (started/has started) her career as a Marine Biologist.
5. Silent Spring ______________ (was published/has been published) in 1962 and _______________ (has been read/was read) ever since by thousands of people.
E. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.
I usually ____________( watch) TV for about 3 hours a day and right now I _______________ (watch) a documentary about environment. My brother __________________ (not like) documentaries, so I can only ___________ (watch) half of my programme and then we have to change channels so that he _____________ (can) watch half of his favourite programme, cartoons.
I ______________ (not like) cartoons very much. So, when we _________ (change) channels I, most of the times, _________(go) to my bedroom and do my homework.
Today I must write a report about the school trip we ______________ (do) to the Zoo last Wednesday. We ____________ (go) there with some of our teachers and we _____________ (see) lots of strange animals. I ____________ (enjoy) it very much, because I really ____________ (like animals).
____________________ (you/ever/be) to the Zoo? Some people _________ (think) Zoos are a sort of prisons for the animals that are kept there, but I _____________ (disagree) totally with it. All the animals I _____________ (see) there last Wednesday _______________ (seem) to be happy. At least they __________ (feel) protected there.
Everyone ____________ (know) what a megacity ___________(look) like. Take S. Paulo for example. S. Paulo _____________ (be) one of the most densely populated cities in the world. A third of its population ___________ (live) in slums, where their standart of living is unbelievably low.
Today safety in S. Paulo ______________ (get) worse and worse and social discontent _____________ (grow) bigger and bigger. Robberies and assaults _____________ (happen) everywhere, everyday.
In an effort to stop violence the government _________ (try) to take stricter safety measures, but things _____________ (not seem) easy to solve.
Adapted from "That's It!" 11º Ano
B. Choose the correct form the verbs in brackets.
1. Many people (think/ are thinking) that the battle for a "better and clean world" is helpless.
2. Environmentalists (are feeling/will feel) totally satisfied when there is no more pollution.
3. People often (left/leave) rubbish behind when they go on a picnic.
4. They (are having/ have) a panel on environmental issues on BBC this evening at 10.
5. I always (am taking/take) public transport to school. This way I try to minimise the human impact on earth.
6. Due to recent disasters, some people all over Europe ( protest/are protesting) against the use of aging oil tankers.
7. My friend Peter (has left/left) for Italy a few days ago.
8. She fell asleep while the train (rolled/was rolling) slowly down the mountain.
9. He always (feel/feels) sick when he smokes a cigarette.
11.If she studies, I’m sure she (is passing/ will pass) her exams.
12. The train (had already left /has already left) when we got to the station.
13. We (see/will see) Mary on Monday.
14. The next train (leaves/will leave) at 7.30
15. They (emigrated/have emigrated) to America in 1965 and (have lived/ live) there since then.
16. Mr Davis (is/ has been) in hospital since he (was/ has been) run over by a bus two weeks ago.
17. The Davies (have just moved/ just moved) into a new flat, you know.
18. Many people (lose/lost) their lives and property in the Great Fire of London.
C. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form.
1. My friends and I usually ............ out to the disco on Saturday nights. (go)
2. My children never ............... their beds when they .......... to school. (make/leave)
3. The Douglas ............... a well-paid job (not have)
4. The English ............ tea about six times a day (drink)
5. The postman ................ twice a day. (not come)
6. George, what .................... this morning? (you/do)
7. Look! He .............. now. (come).
8. She ............. at home this evening (stay).
9. I ........... tickets for the cinema tonight (buy)
10. I hope it ............... nice day next Sunday, (be)
11. What ............., if he doesn't come? (you/will)
12. I ............. there on time. I promise you. (be)
13 ................. to a rock concert? (you/ever/be)
14. Tom's father ................. a musician since he left school. (be)
15. I ................. . for the cinema tickets. (already/pay)
16. ................ the seats yet? ( you/book)
17. Jill .......... in New York for two weeks, but she ......... a musical on Broadway yet. (be/not see)
18. The band .............. the studio (just/left)
19. They ............. to this town three years ago. (move)
20. I ................ my last holidays in Spain . (spend)
21. Last night I .............. asleep while I .................. TV. (fall /watch)
22. The phone ............ while I ................. a bath yesterday. (rang/ have)
23. It .............. to rain as I .............. home, (begin/ walk)
24. When I came home last night, she ............... (already/leave).
25. They ...............all the seats when I got to the box office. (already/sell)
26. What ................., if you saw a ghost in your bed? (you/do)
D. Choose the correct form of the verb in brackets .
1. ________________ you (read/have read) Rachel Carson's Silent Spring? Yes, I __________ (have/did). I __________ (read/have read) it a few months ago.
2. Although Silent Spring was written many years ago people _____________ (didn't cease/haven't ceased) to admire it.
3. Rachel Carson's books ____________ (contribute/have contributed) a lot to rise concern about environmental issues.
4. Rachel Carson ___________ (started/has started) her career as a Marine Biologist.
5. Silent Spring ______________ (was published/has been published) in 1962 and _______________ (has been read/was read) ever since by thousands of people.
E. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.
I usually ____________( watch) TV for about 3 hours a day and right now I _______________ (watch) a documentary about environment. My brother __________________ (not like) documentaries, so I can only ___________ (watch) half of my programme and then we have to change channels so that he _____________ (can) watch half of his favourite programme, cartoons.
I ______________ (not like) cartoons very much. So, when we _________ (change) channels I, most of the times, _________(go) to my bedroom and do my homework.
Today I must write a report about the school trip we ______________ (do) to the Zoo last Wednesday. We ____________ (go) there with some of our teachers and we _____________ (see) lots of strange animals. I ____________ (enjoy) it very much, because I really ____________ (like animals).
____________________ (you/ever/be) to the Zoo? Some people _________ (think) Zoos are a sort of prisons for the animals that are kept there, but I _____________ (disagree) totally with it. All the animals I _____________ (see) there last Wednesday _______________ (seem) to be happy. At least they __________ (feel) protected there.
Passive voice - Exercises
English Practice - Vocabulary and Grammar -
Passive Voice - Practice
Exercise A.
Rewrite the following sentences as indicated below (All tenses)
Simple Present
1. They kill 50.000 seals a year
50.000 seals ...
2. He gives an interview every month
An interview ……
3. The housekeeper doesn't lock the door every night
The door ...
4. They buy the newspaper every day.
The newspaper
5. They sell the newspaper in that kiosk.
The newspaper ...
Present Continuous
1. John is writing a new article on consumerism
A new article on consumerism ...
2. They are building a new road.
A new road ….
3. Pollution isn’t affecting the area.
The area …
Past Simple
1. He increased the voltage slowly
The voltage ....
2. He occasionally turned the machine off
The machine ...
3. They didn’t give any information about the school rules.
No information ...
4. We didn’t see the advertisements.
The advertisements…
Past Simple continuous
1. They were carrying out a survey.
A survey …
2. The TV was informing the consumers.
The consumers …
3.Peter wasn’t taking a different attitude
A different attitude …
4.They were studying the problem.
The problem ….
Present Perfect
1. The police have raided the area frequently.
The area ...
2. Somebody has scratched my car
My car ...
3. Somebody has killed the President
The President ...
4. They haven't contacted her mother yet .
Her mother ....
5. We haven’t executed all their orders yet.
All their orders …
6. Jack has written that note
That note …
7. We have just visited that old medieval town
That old medieval town …
Present Perfect continuous
1.. They haven’t been executing his orders.
His orders …
2. They have been warning the population about the dangers of contaminated water.
The population …
Past perfect
1. They had followed his example
His example …
2. We hadn’t visited that town yet.
That town …
3. They had published a new book.
A new book ….
Future; Conditional; Modal verbs
1. They will postpone the meeting.
The meeting ...
2. They can produce the brochures here.
The brochures
3. You must abandon the scheme.
The scheme
4. They couldn't repair the tractor.
The tractor ...
5. They would encourage the students to use the dictionary.
The students …..
6. They must repair the pavements.
The pavements …
B. Spot the mistakes in these sentences.
1.The books is written by a Portuguese writer.
2.The prize was been won by the school team.
3.The door was opening with an old key.
4.Decisions will being taken by common agreement.
5.The results will announce in two weeks time.
6.Cars are been sold at a higher price.
7.A new museum are been built in the city centre.
8.The new sports centre were built last year.
9.New mummies have are discovered in Egypt.
C. Rewrite as indicated below
1.The policeman stopped the burglar
The burglar ...
2. Thousands of people watched the rock concert
The rock concert ...
3. They will repair our bathroom at the end of the week.
Our bathroom...
4. They have elected a new President.
A new President ...
5. The government is building a new hospital.
A new hospital ...
6. They have closed the motorway.
The motorway ...
7. Our students write interesting articles for the school newspaper.
Interesting articles ...
8. Someone stole my wallet.
My wallet ...
9. The Greek team won the European cup.
The European cup ...
10. The waiter in a red coat served dinner.
Dinner ...
Correction
D. Rewrite as indicated below..
1. They have closed the school.
The school ...
2. Millions of people speak English all over the world.
English ...
3. One of the students left the gym equipment in the playground.
The gym equipment ...
4. The burglars have left the office door open.
The office door ...
5. The people of London have wellcome the Queen.
The Queen ...
6. The headmaster will punish the students that have missed the classes.
The students that have missed the train ...
7. The director postponed the meeting.
The meeting ...
8. The City Mayor is doing a good work.
A good work ...
9. The police have arrested a group of terrorists.
A group of terrorists ...
10. The English team will play the semi-final next Friday evening.
The semi-final ...
E. Rewrite the following sentences as indicated below (Indirect Passive)
1. They give us the information every week.
E.g. We are given the information every week.
2. They don't give him a present every year
He ...
2. They usually tell her everything they know.
She ...
3. They aren’t telling her all the truth
She ….
4. They aren’t paying him much.
He …..
5. He didn't tell Mr Y what was happening.
Mr Y ...
6. They paid Mr Y £500
Mr Y ...
5. The experiment didn't injure Mr Y
Mr Y ...
6. They didn't ask Mr Y to come back later
Mr Y ....
7. They weren’t informing her properly.
She ….
8. The teacher has given the students a severe telling-off
The students ...
9. They have been visiting Mary a lot lately.
Mary …
10. They had already given her that book.
She ….
11 They will accuse her of theft.
She ....
F. Indirect Passive - Rewrite these sentences as indicated below.
1. They told us she is working at the international office
We ...
2. They allowed her to make remarks during the rehearsal.
She ...
3. Nobody could allow him to play hockey because he wouldn’t keep the rules.
He ...
4. They have granted her the request to open a shop here.
She ...
5.They will allow you to take part in the festival.
You ...
6. No one expected her to answer.
She ...
7. Someone gave the guide a good tip for his service
The guide ...
8. They will offer him lots of money for his discovery.
He ....
9. Somebody insulted me when I was walking down the steet.
I ...
10. They paid him ten shillings a day.
He ...
G. Rewrite these sentences in the passive form (Miscellaneous)
Someone gave him the wrong medicine.
He ...
2. People have offered Mary a lot of money.
Mary ...
3. Someone has broken the glasses.
The glasses ...
4. The authorities are banning the traffic from the city centres.
The traffic ...
5. People all over the world are learning English.
English ...
6. Someone painted the walls.
The walls ...
7. The players are wearing new equipment for the match next Saturday.
A new equipment ...
8. They must build a new bridge over the river.
A new bridge ...
9. They ate all the food at the party.
All the food ...
10. They didn’t leave any drinks on the table.
No drinks ...
H. Rewrite as indicated below - (Miscellaneous)
1. Someone showed the child how to use the telephone
The child ....................
2. They have promised Mary a new opportunity.
Mary .....................
3. They asked her to sign her name at the information desk.
She ....................
4. The embassies are refusing young people a visa.
Young people ................
5. The doctor won't prescribe us a different diet
We ....................
6. They will ask you several questions.
You ...................
7. They hadn't promised him a rise in the salary.
He ............................
8. They call young executives "Yuppies"
Young executives ..........................
9. Dangerous driving is causing many accidents.
Many accidents...
10. They built this house in 1930.
This house....
11. They cancelled the flights because of the fog.
The flights....
12. People have advised us not to out alone.
We .....
13. They have told her to avoid going out at night.
She ....
14. They should forbid children to watch some TV programmes.
Children .....
15. We are expecting the result of the tests in about two hours' time.
The result ....
16. You must not allow the children to see television until late.
The children ....
17. It will be difficult to reach an agreement.
An agreement ...
18. They requested all spectators to leave the stadium in good order.
All spectators ....
19. The government sent a team of experts to study the problem.
A team of experts ...
20. The experts will have to instruct the local farmers about the new farming techniques.
The local farmers ...
I. Rewrite the following sentences as suggested below. (Miscellaneous)
1. They didn’t invite me to the party.
I ...
2. A long noise woke us up in the middle of the night.
We ...
3. I didn’t realise that somebody was recording our conversation.
I didn’t realise that our conversation ...
4. They have postponed the concert.
The concert ...
5. Somebody has cleaned the room.
The room ...
6. They are building a new ring road round the city.
A new ring road ...
7. They must do something about the situation.
Something ...
8. They can’t farm this land.
This land ....
9. They keep all their books in here.
All their books ....
10. This company employs two hundred people.
Two hundred people ….
11. They made a terrible mistake
A terrible mistake …
12. Walt Disney created several cartoons
Several cartoons …
13. They are decorating the house
The house …
14. They gave her a new car on her birthday.
She …
15. They will ask John to go to Paris
John …
16. We had to postpone our trip to the Bahamas
Our trip …
17. You should show Pauline her new bedroom.
Pauline …
18. People can keep these plants at home.
These plants …
19. They will offer us valuable presents.
We …
21. It will be extremely difficult to achieve a similar effect.
A similar effect ...
Passive Voice - Practice
Exercise A.
Rewrite the following sentences as indicated below (All tenses)
Simple Present
1. They kill 50.000 seals a year
50.000 seals ...
2. He gives an interview every month
An interview ……
3. The housekeeper doesn't lock the door every night
The door ...
4. They buy the newspaper every day.
The newspaper
5. They sell the newspaper in that kiosk.
The newspaper ...
Present Continuous
1. John is writing a new article on consumerism
A new article on consumerism ...
2. They are building a new road.
A new road ….
3. Pollution isn’t affecting the area.
The area …
Past Simple
1. He increased the voltage slowly
The voltage ....
2. He occasionally turned the machine off
The machine ...
3. They didn’t give any information about the school rules.
No information ...
4. We didn’t see the advertisements.
The advertisements…
Past Simple continuous
1. They were carrying out a survey.
A survey …
2. The TV was informing the consumers.
The consumers …
3.Peter wasn’t taking a different attitude
A different attitude …
4.They were studying the problem.
The problem ….
Present Perfect
1. The police have raided the area frequently.
The area ...
2. Somebody has scratched my car
My car ...
3. Somebody has killed the President
The President ...
4. They haven't contacted her mother yet .
Her mother ....
5. We haven’t executed all their orders yet.
All their orders …
6. Jack has written that note
That note …
7. We have just visited that old medieval town
That old medieval town …
Present Perfect continuous
1.. They haven’t been executing his orders.
His orders …
2. They have been warning the population about the dangers of contaminated water.
The population …
Past perfect
1. They had followed his example
His example …
2. We hadn’t visited that town yet.
That town …
3. They had published a new book.
A new book ….
Future; Conditional; Modal verbs
1. They will postpone the meeting.
The meeting ...
2. They can produce the brochures here.
The brochures
3. You must abandon the scheme.
The scheme
4. They couldn't repair the tractor.
The tractor ...
5. They would encourage the students to use the dictionary.
The students …..
6. They must repair the pavements.
The pavements …
B. Spot the mistakes in these sentences.
1.The books is written by a Portuguese writer.
2.The prize was been won by the school team.
3.The door was opening with an old key.
4.Decisions will being taken by common agreement.
5.The results will announce in two weeks time.
6.Cars are been sold at a higher price.
7.A new museum are been built in the city centre.
8.The new sports centre were built last year.
9.New mummies have are discovered in Egypt.
C. Rewrite as indicated below
1.The policeman stopped the burglar
The burglar ...
2. Thousands of people watched the rock concert
The rock concert ...
3. They will repair our bathroom at the end of the week.
Our bathroom...
4. They have elected a new President.
A new President ...
5. The government is building a new hospital.
A new hospital ...
6. They have closed the motorway.
The motorway ...
7. Our students write interesting articles for the school newspaper.
Interesting articles ...
8. Someone stole my wallet.
My wallet ...
9. The Greek team won the European cup.
The European cup ...
10. The waiter in a red coat served dinner.
Dinner ...
Correction
D. Rewrite as indicated below..
1. They have closed the school.
The school ...
2. Millions of people speak English all over the world.
English ...
3. One of the students left the gym equipment in the playground.
The gym equipment ...
4. The burglars have left the office door open.
The office door ...
5. The people of London have wellcome the Queen.
The Queen ...
6. The headmaster will punish the students that have missed the classes.
The students that have missed the train ...
7. The director postponed the meeting.
The meeting ...
8. The City Mayor is doing a good work.
A good work ...
9. The police have arrested a group of terrorists.
A group of terrorists ...
10. The English team will play the semi-final next Friday evening.
The semi-final ...
E. Rewrite the following sentences as indicated below (Indirect Passive)
1. They give us the information every week.
E.g. We are given the information every week.
2. They don't give him a present every year
He ...
2. They usually tell her everything they know.
She ...
3. They aren’t telling her all the truth
She ….
4. They aren’t paying him much.
He …..
5. He didn't tell Mr Y what was happening.
Mr Y ...
6. They paid Mr Y £500
Mr Y ...
5. The experiment didn't injure Mr Y
Mr Y ...
6. They didn't ask Mr Y to come back later
Mr Y ....
7. They weren’t informing her properly.
She ….
8. The teacher has given the students a severe telling-off
The students ...
9. They have been visiting Mary a lot lately.
Mary …
10. They had already given her that book.
She ….
11 They will accuse her of theft.
She ....
F. Indirect Passive - Rewrite these sentences as indicated below.
1. They told us she is working at the international office
We ...
2. They allowed her to make remarks during the rehearsal.
She ...
3. Nobody could allow him to play hockey because he wouldn’t keep the rules.
He ...
4. They have granted her the request to open a shop here.
She ...
5.They will allow you to take part in the festival.
You ...
6. No one expected her to answer.
She ...
7. Someone gave the guide a good tip for his service
The guide ...
8. They will offer him lots of money for his discovery.
He ....
9. Somebody insulted me when I was walking down the steet.
I ...
10. They paid him ten shillings a day.
He ...
G. Rewrite these sentences in the passive form (Miscellaneous)
Someone gave him the wrong medicine.
He ...
2. People have offered Mary a lot of money.
Mary ...
3. Someone has broken the glasses.
The glasses ...
4. The authorities are banning the traffic from the city centres.
The traffic ...
5. People all over the world are learning English.
English ...
6. Someone painted the walls.
The walls ...
7. The players are wearing new equipment for the match next Saturday.
A new equipment ...
8. They must build a new bridge over the river.
A new bridge ...
9. They ate all the food at the party.
All the food ...
10. They didn’t leave any drinks on the table.
No drinks ...
H. Rewrite as indicated below - (Miscellaneous)
1. Someone showed the child how to use the telephone
The child ....................
2. They have promised Mary a new opportunity.
Mary .....................
3. They asked her to sign her name at the information desk.
She ....................
4. The embassies are refusing young people a visa.
Young people ................
5. The doctor won't prescribe us a different diet
We ....................
6. They will ask you several questions.
You ...................
7. They hadn't promised him a rise in the salary.
He ............................
8. They call young executives "Yuppies"
Young executives ..........................
9. Dangerous driving is causing many accidents.
Many accidents...
10. They built this house in 1930.
This house....
11. They cancelled the flights because of the fog.
The flights....
12. People have advised us not to out alone.
We .....
13. They have told her to avoid going out at night.
She ....
14. They should forbid children to watch some TV programmes.
Children .....
15. We are expecting the result of the tests in about two hours' time.
The result ....
16. You must not allow the children to see television until late.
The children ....
17. It will be difficult to reach an agreement.
An agreement ...
18. They requested all spectators to leave the stadium in good order.
All spectators ....
19. The government sent a team of experts to study the problem.
A team of experts ...
20. The experts will have to instruct the local farmers about the new farming techniques.
The local farmers ...
I. Rewrite the following sentences as suggested below. (Miscellaneous)
1. They didn’t invite me to the party.
I ...
2. A long noise woke us up in the middle of the night.
We ...
3. I didn’t realise that somebody was recording our conversation.
I didn’t realise that our conversation ...
4. They have postponed the concert.
The concert ...
5. Somebody has cleaned the room.
The room ...
6. They are building a new ring road round the city.
A new ring road ...
7. They must do something about the situation.
Something ...
8. They can’t farm this land.
This land ....
9. They keep all their books in here.
All their books ....
10. This company employs two hundred people.
Two hundred people ….
11. They made a terrible mistake
A terrible mistake …
12. Walt Disney created several cartoons
Several cartoons …
13. They are decorating the house
The house …
14. They gave her a new car on her birthday.
She …
15. They will ask John to go to Paris
John …
16. We had to postpone our trip to the Bahamas
Our trip …
17. You should show Pauline her new bedroom.
Pauline …
18. People can keep these plants at home.
These plants …
19. They will offer us valuable presents.
We …
21. It will be extremely difficult to achieve a similar effect.
A similar effect ...
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Passive voice - exercises
Change into the passive voice.
They make shoes in that factory.
Shoes ---------in that factory.
People must not leave bicycles in the driveway.
Bicycles ----------------- in the driveway.
They built that skyscraper in 1934.
That skyscraper ------------ in 1934.
The students will finish the course by July.
The course ---------- by July.
They are repairing the streets this month.
The streets ------------------- this month.
They make these tools of plastic.
These tools ---------------- of plastic.
They have finished the new product design.
The new product design -------------------.
They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
Dinner ---------------------when I arrived.
Smithers painted 'Red Sunset' in 1986.
'Red Sunset' ----------------- in 1986 by Smithers.
Did the plan interest you?
-------------------- in the plan?
They had finished the preparations by the time the guests arrived.
The preparations -------------------- by the time the guests arrived.
You should take care when working on electrical equipment.
Care ----------------- when working on electrical equipment.
They are going to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony next weekend.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony -------------------------- next weekend.
Someone will speak Japanese at the meeting.
Japanese ------------------- at the meeting.
Karen is going to prepare the refreshments.
The refreshments -----------------------by Karen.
They make shoes in that factory.
Shoes ---------in that factory.
People must not leave bicycles in the driveway.
Bicycles ----------------- in the driveway.
They built that skyscraper in 1934.
That skyscraper ------------ in 1934.
The students will finish the course by July.
The course ---------- by July.
They are repairing the streets this month.
The streets ------------------- this month.
They make these tools of plastic.
These tools ---------------- of plastic.
They have finished the new product design.
The new product design -------------------.
They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
Dinner ---------------------when I arrived.
Smithers painted 'Red Sunset' in 1986.
'Red Sunset' ----------------- in 1986 by Smithers.
Did the plan interest you?
-------------------- in the plan?
They had finished the preparations by the time the guests arrived.
The preparations -------------------- by the time the guests arrived.
You should take care when working on electrical equipment.
Care ----------------- when working on electrical equipment.
They are going to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony next weekend.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony -------------------------- next weekend.
Someone will speak Japanese at the meeting.
Japanese ------------------- at the meeting.
Karen is going to prepare the refreshments.
The refreshments -----------------------by Karen.
Résumé
What Usually Goes into a Résumé
- Name,
- address,
- e-mail address,
- and telephone number.
- Employment objective. State the type of work or specific job you are seeking.
- Education, including school name and address, dates of attendance, major, and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
- Consider including any courses or areas of focus that might be relevant to the position.
- Experience, paid and volunteer. For each job, include the job title, name and location of employer, and dates of employment. Briefly describe your job duties.
- Special skills, computer skills, proficiency in foreign languages, achievements, and membership in organizations.
- References, only when requested.
- Keep it short; only one page for less experienced applicants.
- Avoid long paragraphs; use bullets to highlight key skills and accomplishments.
- Have several people review your resume for any spelling or grammatical errors.
- Print it on high quality paper.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Job Application Letter
Example of a job application letter.
English language fill in the gap exercise. Improve your vocabulary and grammar.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I 1) ________ writing this letter to apply for 2) ________ position of
student assistant that I saw advertised on your website. I 3) ________ interested 4) ________ working 5) ________ 6) ________ teachers' resource library, or 7) ________ 8) ________ accommodation department.I have recently graduated from 9) ________ WSB Business School 10) ________ Warsaw and received high grades 11) ________ both my English and Business Courses. In addition, we had to use all of 12) ________ Microsoft Office programs 13) ________ 14) ________ preparation of our finished assignments, so I 15) ________ able to do most things with computers.Since I was 15 years old I have helped my father to run his small import-export business. I have been involved 16) ________ helping 17) ________ variety of clients and also 18) ________ general administration of 19) ________ business. In 20) ________ past 2 years I have worked 21) ________ 22) ________ WSB library, helping teachers and students to find and use 23) ________ resources there. This experience has given me 24) ________ ability to deal with 25) ________ needs of all types of people.I have an outgoing, diligent personality and find that I enjoy 26) ________ challenges of working 27) ________ busy environments. In addition, my studies and experience have taught me to be accurate and efficient 28) ________ organising my work so I would be 29) ________ valuable addition to your school.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Pawel Minescz
The answers are: 1 = am 2 = the 3 = am 4 = in 5 = in 6 = the 7 = in 8 = the 9 = the 10 = in 11 = in 12 = the 13 = in 14 = the 15 = am 16 = in 17 = a 18 = the 19 = the 20 = the 21 = in 22 = the 23 = the 24 = the 25 = the 26 = the 27 = in 28 = in 29 = a
English language fill in the gap exercise. Improve your vocabulary and grammar.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I 1) ________ writing this letter to apply for 2) ________ position of
student assistant that I saw advertised on your website. I 3) ________ interested 4) ________ working 5) ________ 6) ________ teachers' resource library, or 7) ________ 8) ________ accommodation department.I have recently graduated from 9) ________ WSB Business School 10) ________ Warsaw and received high grades 11) ________ both my English and Business Courses. In addition, we had to use all of 12) ________ Microsoft Office programs 13) ________ 14) ________ preparation of our finished assignments, so I 15) ________ able to do most things with computers.Since I was 15 years old I have helped my father to run his small import-export business. I have been involved 16) ________ helping 17) ________ variety of clients and also 18) ________ general administration of 19) ________ business. In 20) ________ past 2 years I have worked 21) ________ 22) ________ WSB library, helping teachers and students to find and use 23) ________ resources there. This experience has given me 24) ________ ability to deal with 25) ________ needs of all types of people.I have an outgoing, diligent personality and find that I enjoy 26) ________ challenges of working 27) ________ busy environments. In addition, my studies and experience have taught me to be accurate and efficient 28) ________ organising my work so I would be 29) ________ valuable addition to your school.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Pawel Minescz
The answers are: 1 = am 2 = the 3 = am 4 = in 5 = in 6 = the 7 = in 8 = the 9 = the 10 = in 11 = in 12 = the 13 = in 14 = the 15 = am 16 = in 17 = a 18 = the 19 = the 20 = the 21 = in 22 = the 23 = the 24 = the 25 = the 26 = the 27 = in 28 = in 29 = a
How to Lay out Letters
How to lay out letters
Letters are made up of different parts.
The greeting
We normally begin both formal and informal letters with Dear …
The opening paragraph
Contains a clear statement of our reason for writing.
Signalling the end The final sentence or paragraph often indicates that the letter is going to finish.
The closing
This phrase puts an end to the letter. For formal letters, we usually end with Yours sincerely when we know the name of the person we are writing to and have used their name in the greeting (e.g. Dear Mr Johnson,) and Yours faithfully, when we do not know the name of the person we are writing to and have started the letter with Dear Sir / Madam,…
The signature
In a formal letter, it is common to print your name under your signature. In an informal letter, you may just sign with your first name.
Look at two candidates' letters, script A and script B, below. Which is formal and which is informal? Look at the highlighted sections of the letters and label them using the information above.
A
Dear Ms Smith,
I am very sorry to read that Mr Brown is ill. However, I am sure you will replace him very well and that your group will be well looked after.
These are the answers for the questions you asked me in your letter: Your group has been booked into the Palace Hotel in Princess Street, which is in the centre of the town.
I am happy to inform you that it is situated very near to the conference. All you have to do is to turn left and walk straight for approximately 3 minutes. The conference takes place in our college which you will surely notice as its walls are painted green.
I am glad to let you know that our town has many attractions for visitors. I would especially recommend you to see the Old Oak Castle in the east part of town.
I hope I have clearly answered all your questions. If you have any more, do not hesitate to contact me.
I am looking forward to seeing you.
Your sincerely,
Matthew Burns
B
Dear Maria,
I thought you'd never reply to my last letter! Anyway, back to your question. Well, if I were you, I'd choose the museum job.Working in a restaurant would be very tiring. Trust me I've done such a job, and I quit within a month! However you talk to lots of people, listen to their discussions which can sometimes be very interesting but still you get really tired.Working in a museum though can be really interesting. You just have to explain to the visitors what is what. You may think that you will have to talk all day, but that's not true. You see many people just like to browse through the museum. You also have to remind the rules of the museum to some that disobey them, but these people are usually very few; not something you should worry about. I heavily suggest you take the museum job. It's easier and less tiring. I'm looking forward to get your reply.
Lots of love,
George
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