APOSTROPHE ( ' )

 

El apóstrofo ( ' ) suele generar confusión. En esta nueva publicación, enumeramos su uso.

1.- Contracciones

Las contracciones se dan al unir dos palabras.

Ejemplo:

a) Pronombres + Verbos Auxiliares (Afirmativo)

- 'm = I + am = I'm

- 're = You, We, They + are = You're, We're. They're

- 's = He, She, It + is / has = He's, She's, It's

- 've = You, We, They + have = You've, We've, They've ("ve" = "f" suave)

- 'll = Personal Pronoun + will = I'll, You'll, He'll, She'll, It'll, We'll, They'll

- 'd = Personal Pronoun + had / would = I'd, You'd, He'd, She'd, It'd, We'd, They'd

b) Pronombres + Verbos Auxiliares  y Verbos Modales (Negativo)

- aren't = are + not

- isn't = is + not

- wasn't = was + not

- weren't = were + not

- don't = do + not

- doesn't = does + not

- didn't = did + not

- haven't = have + not

- hasn't = has + not

- can't = can + not

- couldn't = could + not

- mayn't = may + not

- mightn't = might + not

- shan't = shall + not

- shouldn't = should + not

- won't = will + not

- mustn't = must + not

- oughtn't = ought + not

2.- El Posesivo

a) Personas

Una de las formas del posesivo es con el apóstrofo. Este se utiliza generalmente entre personas. En algunos casos se usa entre cosas.

- John's father is an engineer. (El padre de John)

- The children went to McDonald's restaurant. (McDonald es nombre propio)

Excepciones:

- A month's salary = El sueldo / salario de un mes.

- Yesterday's party = La fiesta de ayer.

* Pero:

- The house's walls.

- The walls of the house.

En plurales o acabados en "s", se coloca el apostrofo sobre esta.

- The girls' bedroom. = La habitación de las chicas.

- Achilles' heel = El talón de Aquiles.

b) Omisión de la Posesión

En la forma coloquial, a menudo se omiten los objetos de posesión.

- I went to the hairdresser's salon. = I went to the hairdresser's

- He needs to go to the doctor's clinic. = He needs to go to the doctor's.

Nota: En este último ejemplo, se puede eliminar el apóstrofo.

3.- La Hora

Algunas expresiones en este apartado son:

- O'clock = En punto ("O" proviene de "of the")

- An hour's work = El trabajo de una hora.

- A ten minutes' walk = Una caminata de 10 minutos / A 10 minutos de camino.

4.- Errores 

Algunos de los más comunes son:

- Its en lugar de It's.

El primero es el posesivo (su) de It. El segundo puede ser la combinación de It + is o It + has.

- cann't en lugar de can't.

Debe ser escrito con solo una "n".

- Their por They're.

Aunque ambas suenan igual, son de uso diferente. El primero es la forma posesiva de "They" y el segundo es la contracción They + are.

- Your por You're.

Aquí pasa como en el ejemplo anterior: ambas suenan igual. Pero su uso es diferente uno del otro. Mientras el primero es el posesivo de "You" el segundo es la contracción de You + are.

5.- Pronunciación

Hay que tener cuidado con la pronunciación, sobre todo cuando hablamos de negativos.

Nota: Ejemplos con pronunciación figurada.

- aren't = á(r)nt

En inglés británico, la "r" suele desaparecer o sonar muy suave en algunas palabras. En inglés americano la "r" en cambio, suele ser  muy marcada. Una forma de acertar es por la pronunciación de "are" de forma británica o americana y a esta, agregar "n't".

- isn't = íznt

A veces se suele decir "ísent", pero, la "e" no debería aparecer.

- doesn't = dáznt

Como con el verbo "To Be", se suele agregar la vocal "e" para sonar "dázent". La segunda "e" no forma parte de la palabra ni de la pronunciación.

- didn't = dídnt

El pasado de "Do" también sufre el agregado de "e". Suena como "dídent" aunque no es correcto.

- haven't = jáfnt

- hasn't = jáznt

La "e" vuelve a aparecer en este auxiliar. Aunque en el primero está a la vista, debemos guiarnos por como suena este verbo en afirmativo (have, has) y luego agregar "nt".

- shouldn't = shúdnt

Este verbo auxiliar suele pronunciarse como "shúldent". Pero, si nos basamos en la pronunciación de "should", sabremos que la "l" es muda o no suena. Además, hay que evitar colocar la "e" luego de la "d".

- mustn't = máznt

Finalmente, tenemos el verbo que indica obligación. Pero aquí tampoco debe estar la "e" antes de "nt".

YOUNG TURKS - ROD STEWART

1.- History

Rod Stewart inició su carrera musical como vocalista en 1964. Fue integrante de diversos grupos británicos como The Jeff Beck Group y The Small Faces.

http://the-music-history.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/singer-songwriters-cantautores.html


2.- Lyrics

Billy left his home
with a dollar in his pocket
and a head
full of dreams

He said
"Somehow, someway
It's gotta get
better than this".

Patti packed her bags
left a note
for her mamma
she was just 17

There were tears
in her eyes
when she kissed
her litte sister goodbye

They held
each other tight
as they drove on
through the night
they were so excited

We got but one
shot at life
Let's take it
while we're still not afraid
because life is so brief
and time is a thief
when you're undecided
and like a fistful of sand
it can slip right
through your hands


a) Young hearts
be free tonight
time is on your side
Don't let them
put you down
Don't let them
push you around
Don't let them
ever change
your point of view


Paradise was closed
so they headed
for the coast
in a blissful manner
They took
a two room apartment
that was jumping
every night of the week

Happiness was found
in each other's arms
as expected
Billy pierced his ears
drove a pickup
like a lunatic

(Repeat a)

Billy wrote a letter
back home
to Patti's parents
trying to explain

He said
"we're both real sorry
that it had to turn out
this way

But there ain't
no point in talking
when there's
nobody listening
so, we just ran away
Patti gave birth
to a ten pound
baby boy".

Young hearts
be free tonight
time is on your side ....


3.- Vocabulary

- Pocket = Bolsillo
- Somehow = De algún modo
- Someway = De alguna manera
- Gotta = Get to
- Pack = Empacar
- Hold tight = Coger / Agarrar fuertemente.
- Drive on = Conducir sin parar.
- Thief = Ladrón/a
- Fistful = Puñado
- Slip = Deslizarse, resbalar, escurrir
- Put down = Humillar, despreciar
- Push around = Abusar
- To Head = Dirigir(se)
- Blissful = Feliz
- To Pierce = Ponerse un arete.
- Pickup (van) = Camioneta
- Turn out = Resultar
- Run away = Escapar, huir
- To give birth = Dar a luz


4.- Grammar

a) Past Simple

S + Verb (past) + Compl.

- Billy left his home.
- Patti packed her bags.
- Paradise was closed.

b) Possessive Adjectives

Ellos son : My, your, his, her, its, our, your, their.

- His home
- Her bags

c) When - Clause

Recordemos que se trata de la misma que usamos para preguntar por un momento. Se utilizan para unir dos frases.

- When = Cuando (Sin acento)

- There were tears in her eyes when she kissed her litte sister goodbye.

Otras son : Where, Why, Who, What. A menudo se suele utilizar "That", aunque lo más correcto es utilizar el que corresponda.

d) So

Tiene varios usos.

- Tan, tanto, muy

They were so excited.

Life is so brief.

- Así que, por eso

So, we just run away.

e) Ain't

En anteriores canciones hemos hablado sobre esta ¿palabra?
Gramaticalmente NO existe. Se suele utilizar en canciones como variación de : Am / is / are not, y Have / has not.

There ain't no point.


5.- Videoclip

LAS 100 PALABRAS MÁS COMUNES EN INGLÉS

Meses atrás, Oxford hizo una lista de las 100 palabras en inglés, más usadas en todo el mundo. La lista es ésta.

Nosotros lo hemos dividido para un mejor análisis y mayor comprensión.

I.- VERBOS

A.- Verbos Auxiliares

a) Be = Ser, estar

Recordemos la conjugación de este verbo

I am
You are
He is
She is
It is
We are
You are
They are

b) Have

Se conjuga igual que como verbo principal. Aunque su significado (Tener) cambia a "Haber". Se diferencia también porque sirve como verbo auxiliar para los TIEMPOS PERFECTOS.

I have
You have
He has
She has
It has
We have
You have
They have

c) Do

Es importante saber que como verbo auxiliar, NO tiene significado alguno. Pero, como verbo principal, significa "Hacer".

I do
You do
He does
She does
It does
We do
You do
They do

B.- Modal Verbs

a) Will

Se utiliza para el futuro. NO tiene significado alguno como verbo modal. Su función es "futurizar" al verbo principal de una frase.

I will buy it tomorrow. = Lo compraré mañana.

b) Would

Es la forma pasada de Will. Por ello, tampoco tiene significado alguno como verbo modal. Lo que hace es agregar "-ría", "-rían", "-ía", "-ían" al verbo principal de una frase. Se utiliza de manera formal.

Would you like some tea? = ¿Le gustaría algo de té?

c) Can

Tal vez el más conocido de los verbos modales. Significa "Poder" en referencia a la habilidad para hacer algo. Se suele usar de manera informal, aunque también es aceptada en algunos entornos formales.

Can I help you? = ¿Puedo ayudarle?

d) Could

Es el pasado de Can. Se utiliza igual, pero de manera más formal.

Could you speak loud, please? = ¿Podría alzar la voz, por favor?

NOTA.- Todos estos verbos modales NO cambian de forma. Es decir, se conjuga igual para todos los pronombres o sujetos.

C.- Verbos Comunes

Say = Decir

My mother says she's busy = Mi madre dice que está ocupada.

Make = Hacer (obrar, construir)

I make a cup of tea every morning = Yo hago (preparo) una taza de té cada mañana.

Know = Saber, conocer

Do you know the meaning of this word? = ¿Sabes el significado de ésta palabra?

Think = Pensar

What are you thinking about? = ¿En qué piensas?

Use = Usar, utilizar

Jack uses his computer every evening = Jack usa su ordenador cada noche.

Work = Trabajar

Where do you work? = ¿Dónde trabajas?

NOTA.- También significa "Funcionar".

The coffe machine doesn't work = La máquina de café no funciona.

Go = Ir

I go home now = Me voy a casa ahora

Come = Venir

Come to my house = Venir a mi casa

See = Ver (sin prestar atención a algo específico)

When I wake up, I see the ceiling. = Cuando me despierto, veo el techo.

Look = Mirar (con atención)

Look at the board please! = Mirar la pizarra, por favor!

Want = Querer, desear

I want some chocolate = Quiero algo de chocolate.

Like = Gustar

Do you like my car? = ¿Te gusta mi coche?

Give = Dar, entregar

Give me some ideas, please = Dame algunas ideas, por favor

Take = Tomar, coger

They will take a trip = Ellos cogeran un paseo (viaje).

Get = Conseguir, obtener

Did you get the job? = ¿Conseguiste el trabajo?


II.- Pronombres y Posesivos

A.- Pronombres

I       = Yo
You  = Tu
He    = El
She   = Ella
It      = Ello (para animales o cosas)
We   = Nosotros/as
You  = Vosotros/as, ustedes
They = Ellos/as

B.- Possesive Adjective

My    = Mi
Your = Tu, su
His    = Su (masculino)
Her    = Su (femenino)
Its      = Su (animal o cosa)
Our    = Nuestro/a
Your  = Vuestro/a
Their = Su (de ellos/as)

C.- Object Pronouns

Me    = A mí
You  = A tí
Him  = A él
Her   = A ella
It       = A ello
Us     = A nosotros/as
You   = A vosotros/as
Them = A ellos/as

III.- Preposiciones

A.- De Lugar

In = Dentro
On = En, sobre, encima de
At = En
By = Por
Up = Arriba
Out = Fuera
Over = Por encima/sobre de
Back = Detrás
There = Allí, allá

B.- De Tiempo

In.- Se utiliza en partes del día, años, siglos, meses y estaciones.

On.- Se usa con días de la semana y fechas.

At.- Su uso se limita a las horas, la noche y periodos de celebración.

C.- De Movimiento

Into = Dentro, hacia dentro
To = A, hacia

IV.- WH- Questions

What = Qué, cuál
Who = Quién
Which = Cuál (para elegir)
When = Cuándo
How = Cómo

NOTA.- Es importante NO confundir los significados de estas y otras palabras de pregunta.

V.- Palabras para empezar o enlazar frases.

And = Y
With = Con
But = Pero
Or = O
So = Así, por lo tanto
If = Si (condicional)
Then = Luego, entonces
Now = Ahora
Also = También
After = Después
Because = Porque (respuesta de Why)

VI.- Artículos

The = El, la, los, las

Define algo en concreto. Como por ejemplo, algo de lo que ya se habló anteriormente o definiendo el objeto o sujeto.

Did you do the dishes? = ¿Lavaste los platos?

The man in black suit is my brother = El hombre del traje negro es mi hermano.

A, An = Uno, una (igual a una unidad)

He is a doctor = El es un doctor

I have a house in Madrid = Tengo una casa en Madrid

This = Esto/a (cerca)

That = Aquello, aquella, eso esa (lejos)

These = Estos, estas (Plural de This)

VII.- Números

A.- Cardinales

One = Uno
Two = Dos

Estos números se utilizan para la mayoría de las cosas.

B.- Ordinal

First = Primer, primero/a

Los números cardinales se utilizan para fechas y posiciones de competiciones, así como para pisos o plantas de edificios.

VIII.- Palabras confusas

A.- Bien

Well.- Se utiliza como adverbio

John plays very well = John juega muy bien

y para decir como nos sentimos

How are you?
I'm very well, thank you?

Good.- Se usa como adjetivo

John is a good player = John es un buen jugador
Good job! = ¡Buen trabajo!

B.- Sólo

Just.- Se usa para mencionar exactitud

Just in time! = Justo a tiempo

I'm just leaving = Estoy partiendo justo ahora

También significa sólo

I'm just looking =Sólo estoy mirando

Just do it! = ¡Sólo hazlo!

Only.- Se podría decir que es la suma de "One + -ly". Significa sólo, unicaménte, solamente.

Only you = Sólo tú

I'm only joking! = ¡Sólo estoy bromeando!

C.- No

No.- Suele ir al inicio de la frase

No, thank you = No, gracias

Pero también, para negar un sustantivo

I have no money = No tengo (nada de) dinero

Not.- Casi siempre acompaña a un verbo auxiliar o modal. Normalmente se reduce a "n't"

It isn't raining = No está lloviendo

I didn't do it = Yo no lo hice

He couldn't be on time = No pudo llegar a tiempo.

D.- De

From.- Indica procedencia

Mary is from New York = Mary es de New York

I'm coming from the hospital = Yo vengo del hospital

Of = Indica pertenencia

This chair is made of wood = Esta silla está hecha de madera.

The walls of my house are white = Las paredes de mi casa son blancas.

E.- Algo, Nada

Some.- Se utiliza para afirmativo

There are some people in the park = Hay algunas personas en el parque

En algunos casos y con modal verbs, se puede utilizar en preguntas de ofrecimiento.

Would you like some coffee? ¿Le gustaría algo de café?

Any.- Se utiliza para preguntas y frases negativas.

Is there any milk? = ¿Hay algo de leche?

I don't have any car = No tengo (ningún) coche.

IX.- Otras palabras

As = Tan, tanto
All = Todo/a, todos/as
About = Acerca de
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time = Hora,

What time is it? = ¿Qué hora es?

tiempo,

Have a great time! = ¡Que lo pases bien!

vez

I go to the cinema three times a month = Voy al cine tres veces al mes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
People = Gente
Year = Año
Other = Otro/a
Than = Que (comparativo)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way = Forma,

This is the way I do it = Esta es la forma en la que yo lo hago

camino

Could you tell me the way to the city centre, please? = ¿Me podría decir el camino hacia el centro de la ciudad, por favor?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even = Aún, aunque
New = Nuevo/a
Day = Día
Most = Mucho/a

INTERMEDIATE TEST

El siguiente es un test para poner a prueba el nivel INTERMEDIO del lector. Para realizarlo, el lector deberá copiar el test y pegarlo en un archivo de WORD o similar.
NOTA.- Si lo desea, puede pedir la solución mediante un comentario o email.

I.- Say which of the following are COUNTABLE or UNCOUNTABLE.

1) Air
2) Book
3) Butter
4) Grass
5) Breath
6) Hair
7) Ink
8) News
9) Glass
10) Onion

II.- Insert the missing POSSESIVES :

1) This doesn't look like ___ book; it must be ___.

2) a.- Tell me, isn't that ___ girlfriend Maisie over there?
     b.-Oh no, she was ___ last week, but ___ dog doesn't like me!

3) I see that he has lost ___ pencil; perhaps you can lend him ___.

4) You can take ___ and give me ___.

III.- Put the given ADVERBS in correct ORDER.

1) She went (to school / at 10 o'clock)

2) He was born (in the year 1923 / at 10 am / on June 14th)

3) They stayed (all day / quietly / there)

4) I like coffee (in the morning / very much)

5) He played (at the Town Hall / last night / beautifully / in the concert)

IV.- Choose the right PRONOUN.

1) a.- Who's there?
     b.- It's only ___(I / me).

2) Let my boyfriend and (I / me) lay a duet.

3) What would you do if you were (he / him).

4) What's the name of (him / he), who came first?

V.- Insert SOME and ANY as required.

1) I want ___ new potatoes; have you ___?

2) I asked him for ___ ink, and he gave me ___:

3) Don't make ___ noise. He wants to get ___ sleep.

4) Have you had ___ tea? I can give you ___.

5) Are there ___ more books?

VI.- PRESENT TENSE

A) Supply the correct PRESENT TENSE.

1) Ships (travel) from Southampton to New York in four or five days.

2) It (be) very cold now.

3) The sun (warm) the air and (give) us light.

4) John (swim) very well, but he (not dive).

5) Wood (float) on water, but iron (not float).

B) Supply the correct PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE TENSE.

1) She (do) no homework this month.

2) Our students (progress) very well this term so far.

3) Mary (not buy) a new dress for years.

4) He (wear) a black suit ever since his wife died.

5) Peter (be) in hospital for almost 6 weeks.

C) Put SINCE os FOR.

1) I have been awake ___ three hours. ___ six o'cock.

2) The weather has been very cold ___ Christmas. ___ a month now.

3) We haven't had a swim ___ last summer. ___almost a year.

4) I've been standing here in the rain ___ half an hour. ___ half past four.

5) How long has John been learning English? ___ quite a long time, ___ last summer.

D) Put the verb in brackets in the PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS.

1) Turn the tv off. The children (watch) for too long time.

2) Mary is learning the piano. She (practise) since breakfast time.

3) John needs a holiday. He (work) too hard.

4) We (travel) for three days and we are still only half a way to London.

5) We (spend) far too much money lately.

VII.- PAST TIME

A) Supply the SIMPLE PAST form

1) John (buy) a second-hand car last week. He (pay) 1000 pounds for it.

2) For breakfast, last Tuesday my sister (make) coffee in a new kind of machine. It (taste) horrible and everyone (spit) it out.

3) They (have) more horses than cars when I (be) young.

4) The lesson (begin) at nine o'clock.

B) Complete the PAST CONTINUOUS form of the following.

1) He (sit) in the garden when the house fell down.

2) I (work) all day yesterday.

3) We (live) in France when the war began.

4) The bus started when I (get) on.

5) I took another cake when you (not look).

C) Put the PAST PERFECT.

1) Mary (prepare) our meals on the previous day.

2) We couldn't play football that Saturday as it (rain) all the previous week.

3) He lived quietly on little money he (save) before his retirement.

4) We (finish) our work, so we went home.

D) Supply the PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS form.

1) It (rain) for days on end and everything was soaked.

2) She still couldn't sing although she (take) lessons for years.

3) They (lose) money for quite a long time.

4) We (wait) for more than an hour.

5) They said I (worry) about business too much and needed a rest.

VII.- Put SHALL or WILL.

1) I ___ help you tomorrow.

2) We ___ never leave our friends who need us.

3) They ___ receive the freedom of the city.

4) Mary ___ come to my wedding. I ___ invite her at once.

5) I ___ pay my account at the end of the month.

IX.- Complete the following sentences with DO or MAKE.

1) He ___ a lot of money last year.

2) I always ___ my best.

3) It has nothing to ___ with you.

4) He ___ a lot of business with us.

5) Have you ___ your homework?

X.- INTERROGATIVES

A) Add the queston word.

1) ___ pencil is this? Is it yours?

2) ___ are you doing tonight?

3) ___ is singing in the next room?

4) ___ room is the largest?

5) ___ is wrong?

B) Turn the following statements into questions.

1) My father has taken the newspaper.

2) Montblanc is the biggest mountain in the Alpes.

3) The boy learned many subjects at school.

4) They want to go out.

5) That house is mine.

C) Add the missing word

1) We don't know ___ she has gone.

2) Can you tell me ___ this box is so heavy?

3) I remember ___ you were a little girl.

4) Show me ___ this machine works.

5) Did anyone see ___ way Jane went?

XI.- Add the correct form of THERE IS o IT IS.

1) _____ no one at home when I called for him.

2) _____ no place like home.

3) _____ hard to decide what was the best thing to do.

4) _____ no time for tea if we don't hurry.

5) _____ so much work to get through this morning that I haven't had time  think about the questions.

XII.- Put in suitable PREPOSITIONs.

1) Wait ___ me ___ the bus stop!

2) We had to go ___ the hill ___ a little house ___ the top.

3) Read ___ line 10 ___ line 20 ___ page.

4) Do you want to speak ___ me ___ anything?

5) You can cut the apple ___ two __ this knife.

TEST ELEMENTARY (3)

Les presentamos un nuevo TEST de nivel ELEMENTARY.
NOTA .- Las espuestas las podeis solicitar mediante un comentario o un e-mail.

A.- Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

1.- a) Is this your/their coat?
      b) No, mine/my is the red one.

2.- Anna : Where's your homework?
     Keith : I'm doing it/them at the moment.

3.- David and Carla's/David and Carlas' house is practically on the beach.

4.- Don't forget to brush your teeth/tooths.

5.- Have you got a copy of yesterday's/yesterdays' newspaper?

6.- He didn't sell many/much books.

7.- He isn't as big/bigger as his brother.

8.- Hey, I've got a/some fantastic news.

9.- His brother sings beautifully/beautiful.

10.- I've just bought some/a new trousers.

11.- I had some/a toast for breakfast today.

12.- Is this/that your car at the end of the street?

13.- Let's have some wine/wines with our/my dinner.

14.- Marta has lost her/the purse.

15.- My old jacket doesn't fit my/me anymore.

16.- Pedro speaks English very good/well.

17.- Rio de Janeiro is famous for its/it's carnival.

18.- Thanks for a lovely evening. I really enjoyed myself/me.

19.- The african elephant is the larger/largest land mammal in the world.

20.- The Sears Tower is taller/the tallest than the Eiffel Tower.

21.- These/this are my children Sam, Nick and Mark.

22.- We've never made much/few money.

23.- You have no/any messages today.

B.- Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

1.- What do you do ___ Mondays? Do you go ___ the swimming pool or do you stay ___ home?

2.- ___ the morning I drink coffee and ___ night I have some tea.

3.- My brother works ___ an office and my father works ___ a farm.

4.- I'd like to live ___ a Greek island ___ the Mediterranean.

5.- We arrived ___ Gatwick airport ___ 5pm. What time did you arrive ___ London then?

6.- I live ___ the east coast ___ Spain.

C.- Put the following words in the correct order to form a meaningful sentece.

1.- spoke, her, about, yesterday, I, it, to

2.- the, one, Catalan, is, of, in, languages, Spain

3.- as, train, slow, The, as, bus, the, isn't, (The bus ....)

4.- cinemas, of, the, are, lots, in, centre, There, city

5.- any, tank, Is, petrol, the, ?, in, there

6.- some, All, us speak, French, can, of

7.- doesn't, difficult, exercise, too, do, This, to, seem

D.- Fill in the gaps with : some, any, a, an, much, little, few.

I always get depressed when I open the fridge in my flat because we never buy ___ food. Yesterday was no different from any other day. I wanted a light snack in the afternoon but there was only half ___ packet of raisins, ___ decaf coffee in a jar and a ___ milk. We had ___ cheese but not ___. I decided to have ___ orange.
"Was there ___ fruit?", you may ask. Of course not, there are never ___ oranges when you want some!
There were a ___ bananas, ___ slice of watermelon and a ___ pinneapple juice, but I don't like ___ of them much.
I was feeling miserable and hungry when my flatmate came into the kitchen and asked : "Have you got ___ vegetables?"
Before I could answer she continued, "I want to make a big salad and I need ___ lettuce, a ___ tomatoes, ___ slice carrots and olives."
I pointed at the fridge and suggested, "Why don't you go shopping, my dear?".

TEST - ELEMENTARY

El siguiente es un test dirigido a personas de nivel ELEMENTARY, es decir, nivel básico o principiante.

NOTA: También equivale a los niveles A1 y A2.

1.- COUNTABLES AND UNCOUNTABLES

a) Cambiar a PLURAL lo siguiente :

- A dog is an animal

- A chair is made of wood

- We drink tea out of a cup

b) Cambiar a SINGULAR lo siguiente :

- Horses are animals

- Frenchmen are europeans

- Classrooms have blackboards

c) Agregar A o AN donde corresponda.

- ___ cigarette is made of ___ tobacco and ___ paper

- We make ___ butter and ___ cheese from ___ milk

- I can write ___ letter in ___ ink or with ___ pencil

2.- NEGATIVES AND QUESTIONS

a) Cambiar a FRASE NEGATIVA :

- He can read English

- They have time to do it

- He must eat it

- They often go to the cinema

b) Cambiar a FRASE INTERROGATIVA :

- They are french

- She can put it on the table

- I am early

- You write to them every day

3.- POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

a) Colocar los PRONOMBRES POSESIVOS :

- May I borrow ___ ruler, please?

- We paid ___ fares to the taxi driver.

- Certainly, ___ house is ___ house

4.- INTERROGATIVES

a) Colocar WHAT, WHO y WHICH donde corresponda

- _____ is your name?

- _____ is his shop, the one at the end of the road or the one near the Post Office?

- _____ one of you understand this exercise?

5.- TELLING THE TIME

a) Escriba correctamente la hora de cada uno de los ejercicios siguientes:

- 09:30

- 05:45

- 01:10

6.- SOME y ANY

a) Colocar SOME y ANY donde corresponda

- Go and ask him for _____ paper. I haven't got _____

- I don't think there is _____ one who can speak french

- She asked me for _____ ice, but I can't find _____

7.- SHORT FORM RESPONSES

a) Responda de forma corta (afirmativa o negativa) a lo siguiente:

- Can you speak English?

- Did you meet him yesterday?

- Has your friend went home?

b) Agregue QUESTIONS TAGs

- He is french ..........

- They weren't angry ........

- Dinner's rardy ...........

8.- THE PRESENT TENSE

a) SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE. Colocar el verbo en su forma correcta

- She (go) to school every day

- The sun always (shine) in Egypt

- Architects (make) the plans of buildings

b) PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

- We now (learn) English

- I (sit) on a chair and (eat) a banana

- It (rain) now

c) PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

- The company (make) good profits this year

- Nobody (discover) a cure for the common cold yet

- France (be) a republic for many years

d) PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

- I (live) here since 1998

- The cat (sit) in front of the fireplace since 6 o'clock

- I'm afraid you (look) at the wrong one

9.- THE PAST TENSE

a) SIMPLE PAST. Coloque la forma correcta del verbo

- We (go) swimming yesterday

- The lecturer (speak) very clearly

- In olden times soldiers always (eat) salt beef

b) PAST CONTINUOUS

- It (rain) last night

- Where _____ you (live) before you moved here?

- Peter (serve) in the artillery in 1986

c) PAST PERFECT

- The old man (be) a great traveller in his youth

- John (forget) to buy tobacco

- Our guests (meet) before

d) PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

- I (teach) for seven years

- The children (want) to go to the zoo for a very long time

- Grandfather (not take) exercise regularly

10.- THE FUTURE TENSE

a) Coloque GOING TO o WILL donde corresponda

- I'm afraid the poor man is very ill. He (die), I think

- John says he (not work) so hard in the future

- We have lost our way. I (ask) a policeman.

b) Colocar SHALL BE o WILL BE donde corresponda

- I envy you John. This time, next week, you _____ sunbathing on the beach

- At three o'clock, I _____ crossing the Atlantic

- Come at one o'clock! I _____ waiting for you in my office

11.- THERE IS, THERE ARE, IT IS, IT WAS

a) Coloque THERE IS o THERE ARE donde corresponda

- ________ two dogs in the garden

- ________ a lot of work to do this afternoon

- ________ a train coming now

b) Coloque IT IS o IT WAS donde corresponda

- ________ a long time ago

- ________ not very far from here

- ________ true that Salomon King had a thousand wives?

12.- PREPOSITIONS

a) Coloque las preposiciones que corresponda

- We don't go ___ school ___ sundays

- Here is a present ___ you. Don't forget it and go home ___ it

- The teacher was sitting ___ a desk ___ the class

IMPORTANTE:

1.- Las respuestas a este test las puede solicitar mediante un comentario.

2.- También las puede solicitar por email.

3.- Si responde correctamente a este test, está ud. preparado para pasar al nivel B1.

PRONOUNS

1.- Personal Pronouns

a) Subject Pronouns.- Son sencillamente, los sujetos o pronombres.

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Ejemplos :

- I am / I'm a doctor.
- You will miss the train.
- He doesn't study enough.
   ........etc.


b) Object Pronouns.- Son aquellos a los que se dirige o centra la acción.

Me
You
Him
Her
It
Us
You
Them

Ejemplos :

- Tell me the truth.
- I'll call you later.
- Could you show him his room?
   ..........etc.

2.- Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns

a) Possessive Adjectives.- Son los que van siempre acompañados por la posesión.

My
Your
His
Her
Its
Our
Your
Their

Ejemplos :

- My sister is a nurse.
- Your house is big.
- This is our car.
   ......etc.

b) Possessive Pronouns.- A diferencia del anterior, estos NO llevan el objeto o persona que se posee.

Mine
Yours
His
Hers
Its
Ours
Yours
Theirs

Ejemplos :

- This bag is mine.
- That book is yours.
- That is not our house. Ours is at the end of the street.
   .......etc.

3.- Reflexive Pronouns.- Son aquellos que se combinan con la palabra "mismo".

Myself
Yourself
Himself
Herself
Itself
Ourselves
Yourselves
Themselves

Ejemplos :

- Everything I do, I do it by myself.
- She hurt herself when she was cooking.
- Help yourself, please.
   ......etc.

4.- El Apostrofe "S".

El apostrofe "'S" denota la propiedad de alguien. Sólo se coloca en personas y en algunos casos animales. NO se coloca en objetos que "posean"  tengan otros objetos.

Ejemplos :

a) McDonald's Restaurant.


b) Beethoven's fifth symphony.


c) John's friend / brother / house...


* Errores comunes :

- The wall's house (Mal)
- The walls of the house (Bien)

- The car's keys (Mal)
- The car keys (Bien)


NOTA : No debe ser confundido con la contracción "'S" en las conjugaciones de los verbos auxiliares TO BE y HAVE, en la tercera persona del singular.

Ejemplos :

a) He's an actor = He is an actor.


b) She's got a new car = She has got a new car.