Vocabulary Quiz

Vocabulary Quiz - Think of words beginning with "F"

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. Someone who works on the land, growing things is called a ___
   Answerfarmer

2. Something you like the most is your ___
   Answerfavourite

3. To apply for a driving license you have to fill out an application ___
   Answerform

4. A thick kind of mist for which London is famous is ___
   Answerfog

5. Someone who acts silly or is a bit stupid is called a ___
   Answerfool

6. Two weeks is also called a ___
   Answerfortnight

7. Something which is easily broken or damaged is ___
   Answerfragile

8. Light brown marks on the skin are called ___
   Answerfreckles

9. Something given away for no money is ___
   Answerfree

10. Cooking in hot fat is called ___
    Answerfrying

(C) 1996 by Letitia Bradley

Prepositions

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. The winner of the competition was ___ the drawing-room.
   a. on
   b. in
   c. at
   Answerb

2. Everybody sat ___ the floor, but Mr. Spencer sat ___ a chair ___ the corner.
   a. over - in - on
   b. about - on - at
   c. on - on - in
   Answerc

3. The judge poured champagne ___ the glass.
   a. into
   b. on
   c. inside
   Answera

4. The elderly lady was always ___ home ___ night.
   a. at - at
   b. in - at
   c. into-inside
   Answera

5. Adriana used to swin ___ the sea and sunbathe ___ the sand.
   a. on -at
   b. on - in
   c. in - on
   Answerc

6. During the week I get up early ___ the morning and go to bed late ___ night. But normally ___ weekends I sleep until midday.
   a. on - at - at
   b. in - at - on
   c. in - in - at
   Answerb

7. Peter lives ___ Boa Viagem Avenue, now, but he lived ___ 109, Amizade Street ___ 1980.
   a. on - at - in
   b. in - at - on
   c. on - at - on
   Answera

8. He was born ___ 8:15 ___ the morning ___ June, 18th, 1928
   a. in - on - at
   b. at - in - on
   c. on - on - in
   Answerb

9. The hanging light is ___ the table.
   a. in
   b. over
   c. at
   Answerb

10. "I'm staying ___ the Jangadeiro Hotel. It's ___ Boa Viagem Ave. ___ Recife".
    a. at - in - on
    b. in - on - at
    c. at - on - in
    Answerc

11. Thomas was born ___ January 9th ___ Buenos Aires.
    a. in - on
    b. on - in
    c. at - on
    Answerb

12. He's arriving from Europe ___ Wednesday.
    a. at
    b. on
    c. of
    Answerb

13. She doesn't work ___ night.
    a. in
    b. on
    c. at
    Answerc

(C) 2001 by Edmilson Sá

Ready for the Final Exam?

Hi there!

The term and 2010 are coming to an end, and to help you study and round off those topics that could be difficult to understand, we offer you a "virtual classroom". This lesson covers the main grammar issues and vocabulary areas that have been analyzed in class.

May you find the virtual class useful and hope you can have a great exam!

Kind regards,

Prof. Michael Scranton & Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Unit 4.3 - Indirect Questions

Indirect or Embedded Questions

Start the sentence with the words given in parentheses.
Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Who built that enormous bridge? (I wonder...)
   AnswerI wonder who built that enormous bridge.
2. What's Brazil like? (I want to find out...)
   AnswerI want to find out what Brazil is like.
3. Did Benjamin Franklin write 'Poor Richard's Almanac'? (I can't remember ....)
   AnswerI can't remember if Benjamin Franklin wrote 'Poor Richard's Almanac'.
4. How do you do it? (Can you tell me ...)
   AnswerCan you tell me how you do it?
5. Who did you meet at the party? (I'd like to know ...)
   AnswerI'd like to know who you met at the party.
6. How long have you been waiting for me? (I wonder ...)
   AnswerI wonder how long you have been waiting for me.
7. What happened to them? (Nobody cares ...)
   AnswerNobody cares what happened to them.
8. How important is that meeting to the company? (Can you tell me ...)
   AnswerCan you tell me how important that meeting is to the company?
9. When was the film produced? (Nobody remembers ...)
   AnswerNobody remembers when the film was produced.
10. Have they flown an ultralight too? (I don't know ...)
    AnswerI don't know if they have flown an ultralight too.
11. What is it called in English? (I can't remember ....)
    AnswerI can't remember what it is called in English.
12. Should people be allowed to smoke in public places? (I'd like to know ....)
    AnswerI'd like to know if people should be allowed to smoke in public places.

Copyright 1999 by Self-Study Quizzes

Opposite Verbs

Match the verbs on the left with its opposite on the right.
Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.
Then click on the answer button to see if your answer is correct.

1. accept 2. allow 3. attack 4. be born 5. bend 6. buy 7. build 8. come

a. die b. destroy c. straighten d. defend e. go f. prohibit g. refuse h. sell

Answers 1-g 2-f 3-d 4-a 5-c 6-h 7-b 8-e

Opposite ideas

Opposites

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. What is the opposite of happy?
   Answersad

2. What is the opposite of black?
   Answerwhite

3. What is the opposite of up?
   Answerdown

4. What is the opposite of under?
   Answerover

5. What is the opposite of crooked?
   Answerstraight

6. What is the opposite of father?
   Answermother

7. What is the opposite of sister?
   Answerbrother

8. What is the opposite of noisy?
   Answerquiet

9. What is the opposite of empty?
   Answerfull

10. What is the opposite of fast?
    Answerslow

11. What is the opposite of closed?
    Answeropen

12. What is the opposite of stop?
    Answergo

13. What is the opposite of high?
    Answerlow

14. What is the opposite of late?
    Answerearly

15. What is the opposite of soft?
    Answerhard

(C) 2001 by Noreen Artar

Verbos irregulares

Hola,
han comenzado en sus cursos a analizar tiempos perfectos, y con ellos han llegados los verbos irregulares. Les acercamos un ejercicio para ver cuánto recuerdan de las 3 columnas de algunos de esos verbos. Suerte!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Irregular Verbs

Think of the correct answer, then click on the answer button to see the correct answer.

go	went	gone
become	Answerbecame	Answerbecome
Answerbegin	began	Answerbegun
Answerblow	Answerblew	blown
break	Answerbroke	Answerbroken
Answerbring	brought	Answerbrought
Answerbuild	Answerbuilt	built
buy	Answerbought	Answerbought
Answercatch	caught	Answercaught
Answerchoose	Answerchose	chosen
come	Answercame	Answercome
Answercut	cut	Answercut
Answerdo / does	Answerdid	done
draw	Answerdrew	Answerdrawn
Answerdrink	drank	Answerdrunk
Answerdrive	Answerdrove	driven
eat	Answerate	Answereaten
Answerfall	fell	Answerfallen
Answerfeel	Answerfelt	felt
fight	Answerfought	Answerfought
Answerfind	found	Answerfound

(C) 1997 Charles Kelly

All miners are saved

One by one the miners who had been trapped underground for more than two months in Chile ascended to the surface, ending their subterranean captivity. The world watched, their nation cheered, their families wept.

Today, we invite you to watch this CNN 10-minute report on the rescued miners.

Enjoy, and celebrate life!

Transcription to the report.

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Complete the sentences...

Finish the Sentence

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. She usually is a careful driver but yesterday she had a(an) ___.
   a. accident
   b. happening
   c. incident
   Answera
2. She was fishing from the river ___.
   a. cliff
   b. valley
   c. bank
   Answerc
3. It took him three times to pass his driving ___.
   a. competition
   b. match
   c. test
   Answerc
4. He took a map with him in case he got___.
   a. lost
   b. found
   c. discovered
   Answera
5. She was fired from her last___.
   a. business
   b. job
   c. house
   Answerb
6. If my toothache doesn't stop, I'll go to the___.
   a. doctor
   b. dentist
   c. hospital
   Answerb
7. Water expands when it ___.
   a. freezes
   b. thaws
   c. flows
   Answera
8. The teacher was angry because Tom kept asking lots of stupid ___.
   a. questions
   b. mistakes
   c. answers
   Answera
9. He said he was going to sail around the world in his ___.
   a. car
   b. parachute
   c. yacht
   Answerc
10. Wait while I rewind the___.
    a. television
    b. tape
    c. book
    Answerb

(C) 1998 by Letitia Bradley

Las preposiciones son un dolor de cabeza, porque al intentar traducirlas del español al inglés cometemos errores. No tienen mucha lógica, y lo mejor es olvidarse del español y analizarlas tal como son. Aqui les proponemos una serie de oraciones para que practiquen un poco!

Prepositions

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. ___ the meantime, you can prepare dinner.
   On
   In
   Answer In
2. Have you decided ___ a name ___ the baby yet?
   on, for
   about, to
   Answer on, for
3. Are you still working ___ your project?
   on
   in
   Answer on
4. He reminds me ___ my brother-in-law.
   about
   of
   Answer of
5. We are leaving ___ Paris next Saturday.
   to
   for
   Answer for
6. She was angry ___ herself for having made such stupid mistakes.
   about
   with
   Answer with
7. I'm happy that he came ___ the conclusion that I was right.
   with
   to
   Answer to
8. We do have to fight ___ our freedom of speech.
   for
   with
   Answer for
9. Excuse me ___ being late.
   about
   for
   Answer for
10. "I insist ___ my innocence", he said.
    on
    in
    Answer on
11. They aren't interested ___ biology.
    about
    in
    Answer in
12. He always mixes passion ___ hate.
    against
    with
    Answer with
13. It'll all depend ___ his mood.
    about
    on
    Answer on
14. Don't wait ___ me. I still have many things to do here.
    for
    on
    Answer for
15. The government should care ___ the homeless children.
    of
    for
    Answer for

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Helado de Dulce de Leche according to The New York Times

Spring days are coming ahead, and with them the helado de dulce de leche pops back in our lives.

Read what The New York Times thinks of of Argentina's favourite flavours when it comes to ice cream!

Buenos Aires: National Treasure in a Cone

Saludos,
and let's go to your favourite ice cream parlor to grab a cucurucho filled with creamy dulce de leche!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Expressing Ability

Expressing ability is something that may be confusing in English because there are many ways of expressing what you can or can't do. Let's put yourselves to test by working this online quiz!!

Have a nice week,
Profesores del CUI

Make a choice by clicking on a button then compare your answer with the correct one hidden under the answer button.

1. Although it contains many difficult words, I ___ read this book now.
   can
   could
   may
   Answercan
2. But I ___ have read it last year.
   mayn't
   couldn't
   can't
   Answercouldn't
3. Because there were many long words which I ___ understand.
   couldn't
   can't
   aren't able to
   Answercouldn't
4. When you receive the new books ___ try to read one of them?
   can I
   could I
   may
   Answercould I
5. I ___ understand why you won't let me.
   couldn't
   can't
   mayn't
   Answercan't
6. Can you find your way to the hotel? Yes I ___.
   could
   am able
   can
   Answercan
7. Can you pronounce my name properly? I ___ if you would speak more slowly.
   could
   may
   can
   Answercould
8. Are you strong enough to lift that box.? Yes, I ___.
   could
   am
   can
   Answeram
9. Will you speak more clearly please? I ___ hardly hear you at all.
   could
   can
   can't
   Answercan
10. I ___ only listen to my radio when my mother was not at home.
    did
    can
    could
    Answercould
11. Can you fix my car today? Yes, I ___.
    may
    could
    can
    Answercan
12. I ___ do that because I will get a sunburn.
    can't
    couldn't
    can
    Answercan't
13. Is it low enough ___ you to be able to step over it?
    to
    for
    of
    Answerfor
14. I ___ reach that apple, I'll have to use a ladder.
    don't
    can't
    couldn't
    Answercan't
15. ___ you just jump?
    Can't
    Don't
    If
    AnswerCan't
16. I ___ have known when she was coming home because I didn't have a watch.
    can't
    couldn't
    won't
    Answercouldn't

(C) 2000 by Jack Bradshaw

Interested or Interesting?

Adjectives ending with -ed and -ing

Click the answer button to see the answer.

Sue: Hi, Jane. Have you had an (interest) day?

Answerinteresting

Jane: I've had a very (excite) day. It's my birthday today.

Answerexciting

Sue: I'm a little (confuse). I thought your birthday was next month.

Answerconfused

Jane No, that's my brother's birthday. Mine is today.

Sue: Oh! Now I'm (embarrass). I didn't get you a present.

Answerembarrassed

Jane: That's (disappoint). But it's OK.

Answerdisappointing

Sue: Now I'm (depress), too.

Answerdepressed

Hey, I've just had a (fascinate) idea.

Answerfascinating

Why don't we go shopping and get you a present right now? That way we can get you something really (please).

Answerpleasing

Jane: What an (enchant) idea. Where shall we start?

Answerenchanting

Sue: What about right here?

---

Bill: Hi, Mark. You look (tire).

Answertired.

Mark: I am. I'm totally (exhaust)

Answerexhausted.

Bill: Why? What have you been doing?

Mark: I've been getting my house ready for the painters to come tomorrow. Now they ring me to tell me, yet again, that they can't come till next week. I'm getting very (annoy) with them..

Answerannoyed

Bill: That's (disappoint).

Answerdisappointing

I'll bet that you'll be (please) when it's finished.

Answerpleased

Mark: You're not wrong! I'm starting to get very (bore) with all the delays.

Answerbored

It's (distress).

Answerdistressing.

Bill: You must be so (frustrate). When do they think they will finish painting you house.

Answerfrustrated

Mark: They say that it will take about two weeks to finish. But when they will start I don't know.

Bill: Don't be too (depress).

Answerdepressed

Just think of how (relieve) you'll be when it's finished.

Answerrelieved

Mark: That's the (frighten) thing. I'm starting to believe that it will never be finished.

Answerfrightening

Bill: What a (shock) thought.

Answershocking

Never mind. One day soon you'll wake up with the (relax) thought that it's finished and you don't have to worry about it anymore.

Answerrelaxing

Mark: I hope you're right.

---

Amy: Have you heard the (suprise) news about Alice and Ted?

Answersuprising

Cathy: You mean about their getting married. Yes, I have. I was absolutely (astonish) when I heard about it.

Answerastonished

I thought it was the most (astound) thing I'd heard in a long time. They're always fighting like cats and dogs.

Answerastounding

Amy: I agree with you. I was pretty (shock) when I heard about it myself.

Answershocked

Cathy: Actually, I'm (relieve).

Answerrelieved

I was always (worry) that they would break up. Now I can relax.

Answerworried

Amy: What a (depress) idea.

Answerdepressing

But you're right. That would be an (upset) thing to happen.

Answerupsetting

Cathy: Now we can all relax knowing that they will live a life of (content), (wed) bliss.

Answercontented Answerwedded

Amy: You're so right. I just love weddings. They're so (fascinate).

Answerfascinating

Copyright (C) 1998 Douglas Gilbert

Visita a un Museo en USA

Hi everyone,

as a new term begins we bring you a virtual visit to a museum in the USA. This museum would lodge immigrants 200 years ago.

The working sheet includes the answers and below you will find the audio file.

May you find it useful and any doubt you might have, contact your teacher.

ACTIVITIES (with answers)

Kind regards,

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Total English - Revisión de las Unidades

Hola a todos!

El cuatrimestre ya está finalizando, y queremos que el proceso de exámenes sea un tiempo de evaluación objetivo y a la vez personal. Objetivo, cuando todos ustedes alumnos rinden sus exámenenes en los que se evalúa el progreso y los contenidos adquiridos. Y personal, cuando son ustedes mismos quienes miden y ven su propio progreso. Es por eso que hoy les acercamos un examen unidad por unidad, para que hagan una evaluación personal antes del examen. Pero... es importante que NO los realicen como un ejercicio más, sino como el resultado del estudio previo. Hagan los ejercicios del Workbook, trabajen con el CD-ROM -tiene muy buena ejercitación y explicaciones claras y concisas-. Y recién después, realicen estos "exámenes" de práctica.
Que les resulte de utilidad y que los exámenes finales sean un tiempo de cosechar el trabajo del cuatrimestre.

Unidad 1 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 2 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 3 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 4 -examen y respuestas-


Saludos,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Argentinians in London

Hi there!

A bonus track video clip this weekend! CNN visited a London bar where Argentine fans were watching the World Cup match between Argentina and Greece. Peek inside!
Have a look at Argentinians in London as they enjoy a football match as much as we do... but in English!

Cheers!
Mariano

Spanish and English living together!

Dear all,

Bilingual education is the practice of teaching non-English speaking students the principal subjects in their native language as they learn another language. Developed in the 1970's, those programs were intended to help children keep up with their classmates in subjects such as Math, Science and Social Studies while they studied English.
This week, we bring you a report that explores the experience of a school in the USA.

Click here to download the exercise for you to work.

And this is the AUDIO needed for the task.




Once you have finished, we invite you to watch an additional report based on Bilingual Education.




Enjoy!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas.

Sentenced to... Shakespeare!

Dear all,

Every night in Boston, Massachusetts, 13 actors take the stage at Shakespeare & Company in “Henry V.’’ Nothing so unusual in that — except that they are teenagers, none older than 17, and they have been sentenced to perform this play.

The show is the culmination of a five-week intensive program called Shakespeare in the Courts, a nationally recognized initiative now celebrating its 10th year. Berkshire Juvenile Court Judge Judith Locke has sent these adjudicated offenders — found guilty of such adolescent crimes as fighting, drinking, stealing, and destroying property — not to lockup or conventional community service, but to four afternoons a week of acting exercises, rehearsal, and Shakespearean study.

This week, we bring you an interesting report on how adolescents are re-educated by means of drama. There is no exercise to be done. Only to listen and enjoy. And in case there are words you do not understand, we provide you with the transcription. Then, if you wish, there is a video that illustrates the report.

Enjoy!

TRANSCRIPTION TO THE AUDIO PROGRAM

____________________

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Facebook

Dear all,
Facebook has become the largest social network in the world. But at the same time, posting our lives on the internet may mean not having privacy. This week, we invite you to listen and work on activity we have prepared for you on the life through Facebook.
Hope you find the activity interesting and useful. And when you finish working, we have posted a video on the 25 Things a Guy Hates about Facebook.
Have fun!

ACTIVITY

AUDIO (needed for the activity)


VIDEO (just for fun)


Kind regards,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Short Story by Edith Warton

Dear all,
Edith Wharton was was a Pulitzer Prize winner, she was born in the USA in the late 1800's. Her novels and stories are characterized by a subtle use of dramatic irony.
Today we bring you one of her classic stories called "The Line of Least Resistance."

You can read and listen to the story.

READ

LISTEN



Enjoy!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

2010: Year of the Bicentennial

2010 is an important year of bicentennial celebrations in the Americas. Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico all commemorate 200 years of independence.

Following is the video message and transcript of Secretary Clinton on "Year of the Bicentennial":



This year, people across our hemisphere will celebrate the “Year of the Bicentennial.” Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico are marking 200 years of independence. All of us across the Americas are joining together to honor our shared history and the values of democracy, diversity, and tolerance that form our common heritage.

In the last year, our hemisphere has been challenged -- from Honduras to Haiti to Chile. And our ability to respond to these crises as a community has been tested. But we have met these challenges together, with faith in our institutions, confidence in our values, and compassion for our friends and neighbors.

We must strive to carry that same spirit of cooperation beyond times of crisis in order to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities facing the people of the Americas. There is so much we can learn from each other and so much we can accomplish together. We can encourage broad-based prosperity, champion democracy and human rights, and ensure that every child born in the Americas has the opportunity to fulfill his or her God-given potential.

This “Year of the Bicentennial” is a time to honor our past while we look to the future -- as we continue on our common journey to create better lives for our citizens and even stronger ties between our nations. On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, congratulations and best wishes.

Tim Burton's Exhibit in NYC

Hola a todos!
Esta semana les acercamos un ejercicio de Comprensión Auditiva basado en una muestra del director de cine Tim Burton en New York. Junto al ejercicio y su audio, les acercamos un video relacionado junto a la transcripción para que puedan reconocer las palabras que les resulten complicadas o difíciles de entender.

EJERCICIO de Comprensión Audtiva - Descargar en PDF
Escuchar el ejercicio on line:


Descargar el audio en MP3 desde acá

______________________________________

Video relacionado con la muestra de Tim Burton


Transcripción del video - Descargar en PDF


Saludos a todos, y muy buen fin de semana!

Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Short Story: "To Build a Fire" by Jack London

Hola a todos!
Hoy les acercamos un cuento escrito por Jack London quien fuera un reconocido escritor estadounidense. Fue el autor de "Colmillo Blanco", The Call of the Wild (traducida en español como La llamada de lo salvaje y La llamada de la selva), y otros cincuenta libros.
El título del cuento de esta semana es "To Build a Fire".

TO BUILD A FIRE - Descargar text en PDF

DESCARGARLO EN MP3

Escucharlo on line


¡Que lo disfruten, y que les sea útil para seguir entrenando el oido!

Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

¡Empezamos!

Hola a todos!

En esta primera entrega de nuestra práctica permanente on line queremos acercarles un ejercicio para que practiquen elementos del idioma con los que probablemente ya estén familiarizados o conozcan. Y además les queremos dejar un cuento de O. Henry, escritor, periodista y cuentista estadounidense a quien se le considera uno de los maestros del relato breve. Su admirable tratamiento de los finales narrativos sorpresivos popularizó en lengua inglesa la expresión “un final a lo O. Henry”.

El ejercicio incluye las respuestas, en la última hoja. Y el cuento además de poder leerlo, podrán escucharlo narrado por una periodista estadounidense llamada Barbra Klein.
Sean curiosos, exploren, y anímense a equivocarse. De los errores, aprendemos más que de los libros.

Suerte y a trabajar, entonces!

EJERCICIO (What's the meaning of "May Day" in English) - Descargar en PDF


Short Story - "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry


Que tengan una buena semana!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

NOTA: Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat

Primer Cuatrimestre 2010

Hola y bienvenidos al Primer Cuatrimestre!

A partir de la última semana de abril volveremos a actualizar quincenalmente los Blogs del Centro Universitario de Idiomas.
Si estás recibiendo este e-mail es porque en algún momento te suscribiste a nuestro correo de actualizaciones.

* Para recibir actualizaciones de tu curso actual deberás suscribirte al BLOG corresponidiente al NIVEL que estés realizando. (aquí el listado de Niveles)
* Al mismo tiempo si quisieras no recibir más actualizaciones de ESTE BLOG, deberás desuscribirte.

Ambas acciones son fáciles de realizar, y deben ser hechas personalmente.

Esperamos contarte entre nuestros alumnos que siguen apostando a continuar capacitándose para hablar y disfrutar de más Inglés.

Muchas gracias!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Universitario de Idiomas