VALENTINE'S DAY - READING (B1 - B2 - INTERMEDIATE LEVEL)

 

Extractos de Valentine's Day de la Enciclopedia Británica. 

1.- Origin 

Valentine’s Day, also called St. Valentine’s Day, has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century. 

2.- Valentine 

Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Other accounts hold that it was St. Valentine of Terni, a bishop, for whom the holiday was named, though it is possible the two saints were actually one person. Another common legend states that St. Valentine defied the emperor’s orders and secretly married couples to spare the husbands from war. It is for this reason that his feast day is associated with love. 

3.- Valentine Cards

Formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s commercially printed cards were being used. Valentines commonly depict Cupid, the Roman god of love. Traditional gifts include candy and flowers, particularly red roses, a symbol of beauty and love.

4.- Celebration

The day is popular in the United States as well as in Britain, Canada, and Australia, and it is also celebrated in other countries, including Argentina, France, Mexico, and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is the most common wedding anniversary. The holiday has expanded to expressions of affection among relatives and friends.

5.- Vocabulario

- Held = Hold = Celebrar, sostener

- Pair off = Emparejar

- Martyr = Mártir

- Priest = Sacerdote, cura

- Bishop = Obispo

- State = Manifestar, declarar

- Defy = Desafiar

- Spare = Ahorrar

- Feast = Fiesta

. Depict = Representar

- Wedding = Boda

FORMAL AND INFORMAL LANGUAGE

El uso del lenguaje formal e informal es el tema que tratamos a continuación. Es importante tenerlos en cuenta para una mejor comunicación.

1.- Contraction

La manera informal se diferencia de la formal en este caso por la contracción del verbo auxiliar con el sujeto.

- He has decided to quit the job. (Formal)

- He's decided to quit the job. (Informal)

NOTA.- Suele suceder tanto en la forma hablada como escrita. Para esta última, debemos diferenciar entre -por ejemplo- una carta formal y una informal.


2.- Relative Pronoun

Cuando eliminamos el Relative Pronoun de una frase con Relative Clause, cambiamos la frase de formal a informal.

- The man whom I met in Germany was interested in working with us. (Formal)

- The man I met in Germany was interested in working with us. (Informal)


3.- Ellipsis

Esto se da con mayor frecuencia en la forma escrita.

- We went to Australia for the weekend. (Formal)

- Went to Australia for the weekend. (Informal)


4.- Long vs. Short Words

En el lenguaje formal, se suelen utilizar palabras más largas pero con el mismo significado que en la manera informal.

- Commence (Formal)

- Start (Informal)

- Terminate (Formal)

- End (Informal)

- Endeavour (Formal)

- Try (Informal)


5.- Modal Verbs

El uso de Modal Verbs hace que la frase sea formal o muy formal.

- Can (Formal / Informal)

- May (Formal)

- Might (More Formal)

ADVANCED TEST 4

1.- Complete the sentences with a relative pronoun. Omit them when they are not necessary.

a) Michael, ___ will be 20 years old next week, is very good at playing football.

b) My uncle's house, ___ was rebuilt only five years ago, is for sale now.

c) The programme ___ we watched on TV last night was very interesting.

d) A man ___ children go to the same school as ours has bought our house.

e) The town ___ I was born is full of tourists in the summer.

f) The boys ___ we played football with, were older than us.


2.- Complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence.

a) I was allowed in the Disco because I'm over 18 years old.
    ___ 18 years old, I was allowed in the Disco.

b) I put on my coat because it was cold.
    It was cold, ___ my coat.

c) It's three weeks since I last saw her.
    I haven't ___ three weeks.

d) Although he was a famous actor, he didn't want to live in Hollywood.
     Despite ___, he didn't want to live in Hollywood.

e) I'm going to study hard because I want to get a grant.
    I'm going to study hard in ___ a grant.

f) The exam was so difficult that nobody passed.
    It was ___ exam that nobody passed.

g) I wasn't able to read the book in one day because it was very long.
    The book was too ___ in one day.


3.- Complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence. You must include the words in CAPITALS.

a) We didn't know they were coming so we didn't wait for them. HAD

b) "I don't want to go to the cinema tonight", Charles said. THAT

c) "What did you do last week", Mary asked me. THE WEEK BEFORE

d) My father said "Don't be late". TOLD

e) James asked us "Do you know what the weather will be like tomorrow?" IF

f) We haven't got much money. IF ONLY

g) I didn't study, so I failed the exam. Now I'm sorry. WISH


4.- Complete the sentences by putting a verb in the correct form in each gap.

a) After the old man retired, his daughter ___ over the company.

b) Do you think this sweater will ___ with dark trousers?

c) How do you ___ on with your in-laws? Do you like them Do they like you?

d) I don't think I can ___ up with his behaviour any longer. He's unbearable!

e) She'll have to ___ over the fact that her husband has left her.

f) The bomb ___ off at eight o'clock yesterday morning.

g) Their car ___ down in the middle of nowhere and they couldn't find a garage.

h) We're going to have to ___ on using the same car for a few years. We can't afford a replacement.

i) Well, if you don't like it, you can always ___ it back to the shop.

j) While I was doing the shopping, I ___ across an old friend from school.


5.- Fill each gap with one of these words.

after, down, of, out, up, away, into, on (x3), over.

a) He really takes ___ his uncle. They have the same hair and the same character.

b) Hold ___ a minute! I'll be right back.

c) It is certainly a good offer, but I'll have to think it ___ for a few days.

d) It was raining so hard that the concert was called ___.

e) My cousin can never understand films. I have to keep explaining to her what is going ___.

f) She is trying to cut ___ ___ the number of cigarettes she smokes each day.

g) The police are looking ___ the case at the moment.

h) Two prisoners ran ___ during the festival.

i) We finally managed to put ___ the fire at three in the morning.

j) When you grow ___, you'll be able to drive your own car.

ADVANCED TEST

El siguiente es el primer test de nivel ADVANCED que les presentamos.
Igual que en los anteriores, si quereis las respuestas, podéis solicitarlas por medio de un comentario o via email.

I.- Pronouns

Choose the right pronoun.

1) We're much stronger than (they/them) at football.
2) It's only (we/us), (I/me) and my girlfriend.
3) It is (she/her) that likes sugar in her tea, not (I/me).
4) Nobody could answer except (I/me).
5) It was (he/him) I was talking about.

II.- Present

a) Insert the correct form of the Simple Present or Present Continuous.

1) The sun (shine) now. Let's go out!
2) We always (travel) by plane.
3) John never (come) early.
4) This morning I (have) coffee although I generally (take) tea.
5) In summer, he often (lie) down in the afternoon. He (rest) now. Sometimes, he (fall) asleep.

b) Put in the Present Perfect Simple form of the verbs.

1) The firm (make) good profits this year.
2) Miss Brown (never see) a tv programme.
3) He (wear) a black suit ever since his wife died.
4) Peter (be) in hospital for almost six weeks.
5) The Cathedral (stand) on this spot since the fourteenth century.

c) Put the verb in brackets, in the Present Perfect Continuous.

1) He (play) the same tune for two hours.
2) Sargeant Black (serve) for nearly twenty years.
3) He (live) in this country for many years.
4) The new students (behave) very well so far.
5) Peter (sleep) for ten hours.

III.- Past

a) Supply the correct past forms of the verbs, Simple Past or Past Continuous.

1) Who ___ you (speak) to on the telephone when I (bring) your coffee?
2) I (hear) a sound. Perhaps my brother (talk) in his sleep.
3) What ___ she (want) when she (visit) you yesterday?
4) Where ___ you (live) this time last year?
5) When the ambulance (arrive) the patient (sleep) like a child.

b) Put the Past Perfect.

1) Mary (prepare) our meals on the previous day.
2) It (rain) all the previous week.
3) He lived quietly on a little money she (save) before his retirement.
4) We (finish) our work so we went home.
5) Peter (not arrive) by two o'clock, so I did not wait.

c) Supply the Past Perfect Continuous forms of the verbs.

1) We (try) to solve the mistery for weeks, but we hadn't succeeded.
2) Peter (ask) Mary to marry him for three years before they were engaged.
3) My mother (complain) of pains in her back.
4) The professor (teach) in the university for 40 years.
5) Shakespeare (write) for a number of years before he became really well-known.

IV.- Future

a) Rewrite the verbs in brackets in the Future Tense.

1) Faher (buy) a new car this year.
2) Peter told me that he (not pay) so much for that old hat.
3) I (not refuse) to drink to that toast.
4) Peter (ask) Mary to dance with him.
5) The boys (have) a whole day's holiday on Friday.

b) Put in the correct Future form.

1) Please don't telephone between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock. I ___ (teach) then.
2) We can't meet before Saturday as I (work) overtime until then.
3) Yes, he ___ (work) late at the office, no doubt.
4) As soon as he arrives, conduct him to the library. A good fire ___ (burn) there soon.
5) If you need my help, please call me. I ___ (watch) TV in the lounge.

c) Insert the correct Future Perfect form.

1) You will find the key under the doormat. I (leave) it there on my way to work.
2) He gets a pension in 1998. He (work) for us for 30 years then.
3) We hope to go to England next year. We (learn) quite a lot of English before then.
4) By the time we come back, we (visit) most places of interest in London.
5) We can call on the manager about 2 o'clock. We (have) lunch by that time.

V.- DO vs. MAKE

1) Will you ___ a favour?
2) ___ up your mind to ___ what is right.
3) He ___ a big mistake in ___ business with such firm.
4) It ___ not ___ to ___ fun of our superiors.
5) That glass of wine has ___ me good.

VI.- Relatives

Add Relatives where necessary.

1) The best play ___ Shakespeare wrote, but ___ I haven't read, is probably "King Lear".
2) It was the Sargeant-Major ___ told me to fetch the rifle ___ I had been practising with.
3) He's the person ___ I meet at the club every day and ___ I've invited home to dinner tonight.
4) I'm just the same ___ I was the day ___ I first met you.
5) All the while ___ I'm working, it's you ___ I'm thinking of.

VII.- THERE IS vs. IT IS.

Add the correct form (Present, Past, Future) of THERE IS and IT IS.

1) ______ a lot of jobs to be done that morning.
2) ______ a time and place for everything.
3) ______ time for your medicine in half an hour.
4) "______ a murder, evidently", said the detective calmly.
5) ______ a fact that he's not at all well.

VIII.- Prepositions and Adverbial particles.

Fill in the blanks.

1) Fifteen punds are allotted ___ us ___ furniture, so we must lay it ___ carefully ___ the purchases we have ___ mind.
2) Poor fellow, he collided ___ a tram ___ his way home ___ work.
3) I am afraid he has fallen ___ love ___ a girl who, although not exactly devoid ___ intelligence, or even deficient __ common sense, is certanly a bit weak ___ the head.
4) I am apt ___ be impatient ___ the efforts ___ people making an attempt ___ something they are not really capable ___ doing.
5) There's no need ___ you to be uncivil ___ me just because you're disgusted ___ my work.

RIGHT HERE WAITING - RICHARD MARX

Su estilo, en ocasiones blando y con letras acerca de asuntos de amor, hizo que muchos criticos no lo tuvieran en cuenta en sus inicios. A pesar de ello, Richard Marx se dió a conocer y con éxito en 1986 con su primer álbum. Marx proviene de padres artistas. Su padre fué pianista de JAZZ y su madre hacía anuncios de tv. Ha trabajado con Kenny Rogers, Philip Bailey, David Foster y Lionel Richie. Este último lo contrató para formar parte de los coros en sus canciones. La gran mayoría de sus canciones son de su puño y letra. "Should've Known Better", "Hold On To The Nights", "Angelia" y "Right Here Waiting", son solo algunos de sus temas más conocidos a nivel mundial.

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

1.- Lyrics

I)
Oceans apart day after day
(óushans apárt déi áfter déi)
Los océanos se apartan día tras día

And I slowly go insane
(end ái slóuli góu inséin)
Y enloquezco lentamente

I hear your voice on the line
(ái jíar iór vóis on de láin)
Escucho tu voz por teléfono

But it doesn't stop the pain
(bat it dásent stóp de péin)
Pero no detiene el dolor

If I see you next to never
(if ái síi iú nékst tu néver)
Si casi nunca te veo

How can we say forever
(jáo kan uí séi foréver)
Como podemos decir por siempre

Chorus - Coro

Wherever you go, whatever you do
(ueréver iú gó uatéver iú dú)
Donde quiera que vayas, lo que sea que hagas

I will be right here waiting for you
(ái uíl bi ráit jíer uéiting for iú)
Estaré justo aquí esperando por ti.

Whatever it takes or how my heart breaks
(uatéver it téiks or jáo mái jart bréiks)
Lo que sea que me lleve o cuanto se rompa mi corazón

I will be right here waiting for you
(ái uíl bi ráit jíer uéiting for iú)
Estaré justo aquí esperando por ti.


II)

I took for granted
(ái tuk for gránted)
Di por seguro

(It) Would last somehow
(úud last sómjao)
que de alguna forma esto duraría

I hear the laughter
(ái jíar de láfter)
Escucho las risas

I taste the tears
(ái téist de tíars)
Saboreo las lágrimas

But I can't get near you now
(bat ái kánt guet níar iú náo)
Pero no puedo acercarme a ti ahora

III)

Oh can't you see it baby
(óu kant iú sí it béibi)
Oh, no puedes verlo nena

You've got me going crazy
(iúf gót mi góin kréizi)
Me estás enloqueciendo

IV)

I wonder how we can survive this romance
(ái uónder jáo uí kan surváif dis románs)
Me pregunto cómo podremos sobrevivir a este romance

But in the end if I'm with you
(bat in di end if áim uíz iú)
Pero al final si estoy contigo

I'll take the chance
(áil téik de chéns)


2.- Vocabulary

a) Words

Insane = Loco/a, demente
Break = Romper
Pain = Dolor
Survive = sobrevivir

b) Expresiones

Go insane = Enloquecer, volver(se) loco/a
On the line = Por la línea (telefónica)
Next to never = Casi nunca
To take (something) for granted = Dar (algo) por hecho, por descontado
To get near = Acercar(se)
Go crazy = Volver(se) loco/a, enloquecer
To take the chance = Arriesgar(se)


3.- Grammar

Encontramos los siguientes tiempos verbales :

a) Presente Simple

S + V + C

I hear your voice.

b) Pasado Simple

S + Verbo en pasado + C

I took for granted.

c) Futuro Simple

S + will + V + C

I will be right here.


4.- WH-Words

Observamos algunas palabras con base de WH-Questions o Relative Clause, pero con un agregado.

Wherever = Donde (quiera que) sea.
Whatever = Lo que (quiera que) sea.

El agregado es la palabra "Ever".

Otras son :

Whenever = Cuando (quiera que) sea.
Whoever = Quien (quiera que) sea.
Whomever = A quien sea.
Whichever = Lo que sea.
However = Como (quiera que) sea.


5.- Videoclip

INTERMEDIATE TEST (3)

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

a) I had bought / bought the wine when they called me. I didn't know they wanted wine !

b) I had bought / bought the wine when they called me. So, I told them we didn't need any more.

c) I haven't talked to him since / for a long time.

d) They are learning English to please / for pleasing their parents.

e) This is a machine for milking / milks cows.

f) A waiter is a person what / who works in a restaurant.

g) This is the cinema which / where I saw my first film.

h) This is the student whose / that mother wanted to talk to you.

i) I will / would call you if I needed your help.

j) He said / told me that he wasn't angry.

k) You are such / so nice children !

l) It was such a / so big sandwich that we couldn't eat it all.

m) It was such a / so incredible person !

n) I would like going / to go on a holiday before the summer.

o) They'd enjoy playing / to play with their causins.

p) You need to take / make an exam at the end of the year.

q) Have you got central heatting / heating?

r) He referred / refered to his last visit to Mexico.


2.- Complete the sentences with When, As Soon As, While.

a) ___ they arrived in their room, they took off their shoes.

b) They had breakfast ___ they were waiting for the taxi.

c) I really don't care what shoes you buy. I will look in the sports department ___ you try on the last three pairs.

d) Come and find me ___ you finish.

e) She phoned her family _ she knew the results of the test.


3.- Use the cues to make complete sentences.

a) When / she / arrive / home / he / already / leave

b) I / call / you / before / plane / leave

c) A vet / person / look after / animals

d) This / is / place / we / said / we / going to / meet

e) They / want / money / buy / new house


4.- In each case, complete the second sentence so that it retains the same meaning as the first sentence. Write ONE word in each gap.

a) They killed him because they wanted to steal his money.
     They killed him ___ ___ his money

b) "When do you finish work?", he said.
     He wanted to know when ___ ___ ___.

c) You don't love her because you don't want her to be happy.
     If you ___ ___ ___ ___ __ her to be happy.

d) "Don't take my car", he said.
    He told me ___ ___ ___ his car.

e) "We'll see you tomorrow", they said.
    They said ___ ___ ___ ___ us next week.

f) "Put the suitcase in the car", she asked me.
    She told ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ in the car.

g) They are such cute babies !
     These babies ___ ___ cute !


5.- Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs.

Get Up - Give Up - Go Down - Look After - Look For - Look Forward To

a) We usually ___ at ten at the weekends.

b) I'm ___ a new pair of shoes for the party.

c) He doesn't smoke anymore. He ___ two months ago.

d) I am really ___ seen you again.

e) Our neighbours ___ our fish when we go on holiday.

f) The price of petrol is finally ___.


6.- Complete the text by putting one word in each gap.

I was sitting in the living-room ___ I heard a strange noise upstairs. I was alone in the house, so I knew it wasn't the children. I ___ off the TV and went ___ the stairs. ___ I entered my bedroom, I noticed that something was wrong. The floor was ___ cold ! I switched ___ the lights __ check that the windows were closed. Then I saw ___ there was water on the floor. ___ strange ! Finally, I heard a meow. It was Fuzzy, the cat. It ___ always doing this kind of things. Once he _y favourite vase and I was tempted to kick ___ out of the house. But, of course, I ___.

ETERNAL FLAME - THE BANGLES

Uno de los grupos femeninos que tuvo más popularidad en los 80's fué The Bangles. Formado en 1981 por las hermanas Vicki y Debbi Peterson, Michael Steele y Susanna Hoffs este cuarteto tuvo su primer éxito en 1986 con "Manic Monday", una canción escrita por Prince. Otro tema no compuesto por ellas fué "Hazy Shade Of Winter" de Simon And Garfunkel. Entre sus temas propios destacan "Walk Like An Egiptian", "Walking Down Your Street", "In Your Room" y "Eternal Flame".

http://the-music-history.blogspot.com.es/2009/03/mujeres-del-pop-rock.html

I.- LYRICS

Close your eyes
(klóus iór áis)
Cierra tus ojos

Give me your hand (darling)
(guíf mi iór jánd dárlin)
Dame tu mano (cariño)

Do you feel my heart beating?
(du iú fíl mái jart bítin)
¿sientes mi corazón latiendo?

Do you understand?
(du iú ánderstand)
¿Entiendes?

Do you feel the same
(du iú fil de séim)
Sientes tú lo mismo

Am I only dreaming or
(ám ái ónli drímin ór)
¿Sólo estoy soñando o

Is this burning an eternal flame?
(is dis bérnin an etérnal fléim)
Es este incendio una llama eterna?

I believe it's meant to be, darling
(ái bilíf its mént tu bí dárlin)
Creo que esto es el destino, cariño

I watch you when you are sleeping
(ái uótch iú uén iú ár slípin)
Te vigilo cuando estas durmiendo

You belong with me
(iú bilón uíz mí)
Tu me perteneces

Say my name
(séi mái néim)
Di mi nombre

Sun shines through the rain
(sán sháins zrú de réin)
El sol brilla a través de la lluvia

A whole life so lonely
(a jóul láif sóu lónli)
Una vida entera muy solitaria

And then you come and ease the pain
(and den iú kám an íis de péin)
Y entonces llegas y calmas la pena

I don't wanna lose this feeling
(ái dónt uána lús dis fílin)
No quiero perder este sentimiento

II.- VOCABULARY

Beat = Latido (de corazón), ritmo (música); Latir.
Same = Lo(s) mismo(s), la(s) misma(s)
Burn = Arder; Incendio
Whole = Todo, total (de algo)
Ease = Suavizar, facilitar, calmar
Pain = Dolor
Lose = Perder

III.- BODY PARTS VOCABULARY

En ésta canción se mencionan 3 partes del cuerpo humano.

a) Eyes = Ojos
b) Hand = Mano
c) Heart = Corazón

Otras partes del cuerpo humano son:

Head = Cabeza
Arm = Brazo
Leg = Pierna
Stomach = Estómago
Foot = Pie
Feet = Pies

Si queremos mencionar que una parte del cuerpo nos duele, sólo agregamos la palabra

Ache = Dolor; Doler

A cada parte del cuerpo.

My heart aches = Me duele el corazón

o

I have a headache = Tengo dolor de cabeza (USA)

I've got a headache = Tengo dolor de cabeza (UK)

IV.- GRAMMAR

a) TENSES

El Present Simple Tense se encuentra repartido en parte la canción.

Close your eyes

Sun shines through the rain

Do you feel the same?

Y también el Present Continuous

Am I only dreaming?

b) RELATIVE CLAUSE

La palabra WHEN, es además de una WH-QUESTION, un RELATIVE CLAUSE.
Por ello, es importante conocer cada una de las WH-QUESTIONS al inicio, porque luego serán utilizadas como RELATIVE CLAUSEs.

Where = Dónde

This is the company where I work.

When = Cuándo

I was cooking when the telephone rang.

Who = Quién

This is the man who helped me cross the street.

Why = Por qué

This is the reason why I love you.

En muchos casos, estos (excepto WHO) son reemplazados por THAT.

V.- VIDEO

YOUR SONG - ELTON JOHN

Uno de los compositores británicos más importantes es Elton John. BLUESOLOGY era el nombre del grupo con el cual empezó a trabajar en los 60's. Pero, no es hasta 1970, cuando "Your Song" se convierte en su primer éxito. Reginald K. Dwight (su nombre real) estudió música y se convirtió en un gran pianista. A finales de los 60's conoce a Bernie Taupin. Ambos se convierten en uno de los dúos de compositores más famosos de la historia. Además de sus trabajos en solitario, Elton John ha hecho duetos con Jennifer Rush y Kiki Dee. También estuvo al lado de Dionne Warwick en "That's What Friends Are For". Entre sus obras más conocidas podemos destacar "Crocodile Rock", "Rocket Man", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", "Nikita", "Candle In The Wind", "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That", "Daniel", "Sacrifice", etc.
http://the-music-history.blogspot.com.es/

LYRICS

It's a little bit funny
(its a lítel bit fáni)

This feeling inside
(dis fílin insáid)

I'm not one of those
(áim not uán of dóus)

Who can easily hide
(ju ken ísili jáid)

(I) Don't have much money
(ái) (dont jáf mách mánei)

But, boy if I did
(bat bói if ái did)

I'd buy a big house
(áid bái a big jáus)

Where we both could live
(uér uí bóuz kud lif)

If I was a sculptor
(if ái uás a skolptor)

But then again no
(bat den aguéin nóu)

Or a man who makes potions
(or a man ju méiks póshions)

In a travelling show
(in a trávelin shóu)

I know it's not much
(ái nóu its not mach)

But it's the best I can do
(bat its de best ái ken du)

My gift is my song
(mái guift is mái song)

And this one's for you
(an dis uáns for iú)

___________________________

1.- And you can tell everybody
(and iú ken tel ébribádi)

This is your song
(dis is iór song)

It may be quite simple
(it méi bi kuáit símpol)

But now that it's done
(bat náu dat its dón)

____________________________

2. I hope you don't mind
(ái jóup iú dont máind)

I hope you don't mind
(ái jóup iú dont máind)

That I put down in words
(dat ái put dáun in uórds)

How wonderful life is
(jáo uánderful láif is)

While you're in the world
(uáil iór in de uórld)

_____________________________

I sat on the roof
(ái sat on de ruf)

And kicked off the moss
(and kíkt of de mos)

Well a few of the verses
(uél a fíu of de vérses)

Well they've got me quite cross
(uél déiv got mi kuáit kros)

But the sun's been quite kind
(bat de sáns bín kuáit káind)

While I wrote this song
(uáil I róut dis song)

It's for people like you
(its for pípol láik iú)

That keep it turned on
(dat kip it térnt on)

So excuse me forgetting
(sóu ikskiús mi forguétin)

But these things I do
(bat dis zings ái du)

You see I've forgotten
(iú si áif forgóten)

If they're green or they're blue
(if déir grin or déir blú)

Anyway the thing is
(éniuéi de zing is)

What I really mean
(uát ái ríli min)

Yours are the sweetest eyes
(iórs ár de suítest áis)

I've ever seen
(áif éver sin)

(Repetir 1 y 2)

VOCABULARY

1.- Hide = Esconderse
2.- Both = Ambos, ambas (personas, cosas, etc)
3.- Sculptor = Escultor
4.- Potion = Poción, brebaje
5.- Travelling show = Show callejero ofrecido por vendedores y/o artistas
6.- Gift = Regalo (sinónimo "Present")
7.- Roof = Techo exterior, tejado
8.- Moss = Musgo
9.- Verse = Verso
10.- Mean = Significar

GRAMÁTICA

Observamos :

A.- PHRASAL VERBS

1.- Put down = Poner por escrito
2.- Kick off = Dar puntapiés, patear
3.- Turn on = Encender, prender

B.- ADVERBS

1.- Easily = Fácilmente
2.- Really = Realmente
3.- Ever = Alguna vez
4.- While = Mientras

C.- PRESENT PERFECT

1.- Well they've got me quite cross

2.- But the sun's been quite kind

3.- You see I've forgotten

4.- I've ever seen

D.- CONDITIONAL

1.- (I) Don't have much money, But, boy if I did, I'd buy a big house...

2.- If I was a sculptor

E- RELATIVE CLAUSES

1.- WHO can easily hide

2.- WHERE we both could live

3.- Or a man WHO makes potions

4.- HOW wonderful life is (RELATIVE ADVERB)

5.- THAT keep it turned on

6.- WHAT I really mean

EXPRESIÓN

En el coro, se encuentra la siguient expresión :

I hope you don't mind

Significa "espero que no te importe". En Inglés, existen algunas variantes de ésta expresión utilizando la palabra "mind".

1.- Never mind = Está bien, de nada

2.- I don't mind = No me importa(ría)

3.- Mind your business = Ocúpate de tus asuntos

4.- It doesn't mind = No tiene importancia

FIRST CERTIFICATE

El FIRST CERTIFICATE es uno de los certificados más importantes y más solicitados por personas que necesitan acreditar su nivel de Inglés por diversos motivos. Uno de ellos está relacionado con el Curriculum Vitae.
En ésta ocasión aplicaremos algunos "trucos" o "estrategias" para obtener el FIRST CERTIFICATE.

NOTA: Este apartado solo es de ayuda para una mejor comprensión de la gramática. El alumno
             deberá además estudiar todos y cada uno de los puntos indicados, por su cuenta o con la
             ayuda de un profesor.
             Algunos de los puntos ya han sido tratados en este mismo blog, por lo que sólo serán
             mencionados.
             Sólo trataremos una pequeña selección de temas gramaticales de todo lo que exige el
             FIRST CERTIFICATE.

1.- ADJECTIVES (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

2.- ARTICLES (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

3.- CONDITIONALS .- El CONDICIONAL se forma de la siguiente manera:
       
   a) Condicional de Probabilidad.- 

If you finish work early, we shall go to the theatre

NOTA: Este tipo de Condicional se usa para mencionar asuntos que son probables o
posibles de suceder.

b) Condicional de No Probabilidad.-

If I were rich, I would buy a fine house

NOTA.- Aqui se señalan las situaciones que son muy difíciles o imposibles de suceder.

c) Zero Conditional.- If I had saved my money, I would not be poor now

4.-ELECCIÓN.- Para elegir entre 2 o más opciones, utilizamos :

a) Either .... or .- Este se utiliza para elegir entre 2 opciones. Ejemplo:

We are going either to the theatre or to the cinema

b) Neither ... nor .- Es la forma negativa del primero. Ejemplo:

My father speaks neither Italian, nor French

5.- TIEMPOS VERBALES .- Es muy importante estar familiarizado con los tiempos verbales,
      porque constituyen una parte muy importante de todo idioma.

      a) SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE :- Se usa en acciones cotidianas y/o actuales.

I go to the university

He plays the guitar

TRUCO/ESTRATEGIA.- 1) Conocer la fórmula : S+VERBO PRAL+COMPLEMENTO

   2) Todos los verbos conjugados en la 3ª persona del singular
  llevan "S" o "ES". Ejemplo:

John plays the guitar
     
Mr. Brown teaches Maths.

3) En preguntas y negaciones, utilizamos DO - DOES.
(leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       b) PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       c) PRESENT PERFECT TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       d) PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       e) SIMPLE PAST TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       f) PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

       g) PAST PERFECT TENSE.- Se utiliza para indicar lo sucedido en un cierto periodo de tiempo pasado.

We had finished our work, so we went home

Our guests had met before, so we didn't need to introduce them to one
each other

La fórmula es : S + HAD + Verbo Pral en Pasado + Complemento

TRUCO/ESTRATEGIA.- 1) "HAD" se mantiene siempre igual sea cual
sea el sujeto.

2) Atención especial al pretérito del verbo

h) PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.- Para mencionar acciones que
se sucedian repetidamente
utilizamos este tiempo verbal.

I had been studying for months

We had been waiting for more than 30 minutes for a bus

TRUCO/ESTRATEGIA.- 1) "HAD" y "BEEN" no cambia de forma con el  sujeto

2) Podriamos traducir "Had+Been" como "Haber+Sido/Estado"

3) "For" equivaldría en este caso a "Durante"

i) FUTURE TENSE.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)
6.-NOUNS.- Los SUSTANTIVOS pueden ser contables o no. Para estos casos utilizamos
"A" o "AN".
También existe el "Sustantivo Verbal", es decir el que utiliza un verbo como
base principal. Ejemplos:

He went to prison for stealing

A life of working without any play, becomes very dull

NOTA: Debemos prestar atención a la posición del sustantivo para no confundirlo con el verbo principal.

TRUCO/ESTRATEGIA.- Podemos traducir este tipo de sustantivo como un verbo en su
forma infinitiva.

7.- QUESTIONS.- (leer articulo completo en este mismo blog)

8.- RELATIVE PRONOUNS.- Los "Pronombres Relativos" tienen algo que ver con las "WH Questions".

WHO = Personas, tanto en singular como plural
WHOM = Traducido "A Quien" o "Con Quien"
WHICH = Se usa para objetos
THAT = Para personas y objetos tanto en singular como en plural
WHOSE = Posesivo utilizado en personas

Mary is the girl WHO married Peter's brother

Children WHOSE behaviour is bad, may be punished

I ordered a meal THAT didn't cost too much

NOTA : "THAT" se puede utilizar en casi todos los casos excepto cuando el pronombre relativo es WHOSE.

TRUCO/ESTRATEGIA.- Conocer el significado de las WH Questions nos ayudará a
utilizar los RELATIVE PRONOUNS

9.- PREPOSITIONS.- Las PREPOSICIONES se usan en muchas situaciones.Sería algo extenso
tratarlas una a una. Por ello, sólo nombraremos las principales.

a) TIME.- Este tipo de preposiciones se utilizan para nombrar un espacio de tiempo determinado.

IN = Para siglos(18th century), años(1988), meses(january), partes del dia(morning..)
y estaciones(Spring)
ON= Dias de la semana, fechas señaladas, fechas completas((May 12 1990)

AT= Horas (3 O'clock, etc), NIGHT y MIDNIGHT

b) PLACE.- Estas Preposiciones se refieren a la posición de algo/alguien en un espacio.

IN = Indica algo que está en el INTERIOR.

The cat is IN the box

ON = Esto denomina algo que está SOBRE.

The cup is ON the table

AT = Sirve para indicar un objeto/persona que se encuentra en un lugar abierto o
no concreto.

I am AT home

He is AT work

BY = Nos señala que el objeto/persona está muy cerca de algo

The dog is over there, by the window.

IN FRONT OF = No confundir con su traducción literal. Esto indica "delante".

My car is IN FRONT OF the Bank.

BEHIND = Su significado es "detrás"

Your keys are BEHIND the door

10.- VERBS.- (leer diversos posts acerca de los diversos tipos de verbos en este mismo blog)