MARCH 19

Today we started practising asking questions.

These are answers to questions. What are the questions?

• A steak, please.
• Oh, I stayed at home and watched tv.
• She is reading a book at the moment.
• We are going to visit France.
• I usually get up at 7 o'clock.
• No, he is single.
• For about 2 years.
• I was washing up when he arrived.

This exercise helps us to identify what the missing information is and ask an appropriate question in order to get that information.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1_B2HZ_bIslWEFMS2F2aGU4dlU/view?usp=sharing

Questions always follow the same order. You can find more information and practice here.

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/word-order/questions

You can also find useful exercises in Essential Grammar In Use, Unit 7.

http://vk.com/doc8069473_202956457?hash=5ce925651868f7ad3c&dl=aa922cf229371819a9

In part one of the Listening test there are short dialogues or monlogues in different common situations. You can prepare for this by learning words and phrases for particular situations. Let's look at asking for travel information.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1_B2HZ_bIslTmYxbGNZUlo0NmM/view?usp=sharing

We also looked at asking indirect questions at a tourist information office.

You can find more information on indirect questions in Unit 50 of English Grammar in Use

http://vk.com/doc8069473_207129479?hash=94cd970d0d980ac461&dl=5a539c9622c51a9bc2

You can also practice asking questions using these cards

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1_B2HZ_bIslOC1jUmtoSXNnWlE/view?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nsiElqRns0gOJt6AUNS6wKEgVSXteJcFCSYZltYTksQ/edit?usp=sharing

MARCH 18

English is an international language and so is useful in many travel situations.

Putting words into categories according to subject helps to remember them better.

Let's start with thinking of some words related to air travel.

Try to put the words in the box in the different sub categories.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1_B2HZ_bIslTk9TeHJpVTlPbTA/view?usp=sharing

In the second exercise there are some phrases that we can hear at check in or on the plane.

You can read and listen to some airport announcements here.

https://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/airline-announcements.htm

In part one of the Listening test there are short dialogues or monlogues in different common situations. You can prepare for this by learning words and phrases for particular situations. It is important to predict the phrases and vocabulary you will hear. 

Because English and Italian are very different languages, it can be useful to create a phrase book of useful phrases and words to use in everyday situations.

On this website there is also the translation in Italian and audio.

http://it.speaklanguages.com/inglese/frasi/

In Part 1 of the Listening Test you will hear short dialogues or monlogues in common situations.

On this site you can find pdfs that will allow you to learn several words and phrases associated with everyday situations.

http://englishpower.jp/moodle/course/view.php?id=224

Look in particular at the moderate section.

Here is a document about taking a taxi

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4EN8MtjAE4dTGprMFBoNldQQ3M/view

Try exercise 3 on Page 59 of Insight into PET to start thinking about situations.

MARCH  12

Look at these signs. What do they mean? How can you explain these signs to foreigners?

No Smoking

Do not smoke

You are not allowed to smoke here

You must not smoke here

Warning / Danger of death

Don't touch / enter

Keep away

Don't speed

Drive slowly

You must reduce your speed

You should drive slower

Wash your hands

You can wash your hands here

You should wash your hands

Here we see that we can give commands / orders in three ways

1. Using the imperative

For a positive command use the verb in the base form without subject

Walk! Come! Enter!

For a negative imperative, add Do not or Don't

Don't smoke!

Do not enter!

You can see examples of imperatives you can find around the home on Page 6, exercise 1 of Insight Into PET.

2. Using modal verbs

must - FOR ME, IT IS NECESSARY - I must call my mother

have to - THE LAW OR THE RULES SAY IT IS NECESSARY - You have to have a passport to go to the USA

In the negative form these verbs have a different meaning

must not - IT IS FORBIDDEN-  You must not smoke in public places

don't have to - IT IS NOT NECESSARY - I don't have to work on Sundays

Try to use these verbs to complete these phrases about life in Italy

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1_B2HZ_bIslUzFPVEpGb2VJV1E/view?usp=sharing

There is more information about modals of obligation on Page 110 of Insight Into PET.

Try also Exercise 15.

3. Using alternative phrases such as - It is allowed / forbidden etc

To practice using these alternatives look at exercise 2 on Page 6 of Insight Into PET.

These terms are important in the PET exam because in the Reading Test you can asked to understand signs and short messages, many of which include modal verbs.

Try the test on Page 10 of Insight Into PET.

In the FCE, you can find modals in the key word transformation task but they are also important in paraphrasing exercises and using them in the writing or speaking tests can earn you extra points.