2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 57,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 21 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

8th grade: The Correction of the First Written Test

     Group A

I The First and Second Conditional:

1. If the weather is good, we often have lunch outside.
2. I would answer the question if I knew.
3. I would help if I could.
4. They will buy a house if they save enough money.
5. If you finish before 5 o’clock, I’ll come and pick you up.
6. What would you do if he asked you to marry him?
7. You will meet Jim if you come to the party.
8. Where will you wait if I am late?      8 p

 II  Join the sentences. Use so (much) …that.

1. My brother worked so hard that he passed the test.
2. She is so short that she cannot touch the ceiling.
3. The necklace was so expensive that I couldn’t buy it.
4. There is so much fog that we can’t see anything.
5. There would be so much ash in the atmosphere that it would block the sun. 5 p

III Write the warnings for each sign.

1. Warning. Strong currents. No swimming.
2. Radioactive hazard. Do not enter. Authorized personnel only.
3. Fire risk. No camp fire. Dispose of cigarettes and matches safely.
4. Do not lean out of the window.
5. Danger! High voltage electricity.

IV  Write sentences using the following words: 1.manipulate 2. operate 3. risky                3 p

For example:

1. He is manipulating you.
2. They operated on him last night.
3. This is very risky.

V Answer the questions:   (Students’ own answers)

1. At what time of the day do you usually have a big meal?
2. When do you feel relaxed? Why?
3. When do you feel most alert? 6 p

 VI Answer the questions. (Students’ own answers)

1. What would you do if you were rich?
2. What would you do if you were the principal of your school?
3. If you saw large teenager boys bullying another teenager, would you step in? 6 p

 VII Put the verbs in brackets into the Future Simple or am/ is/ are going to.

1. After he graduates, he is going to become a lawyer.
2. A: It’s hot in here. B: I ‘ll turn on the air-conditioning.
3. He thinks they‘ll arrive on time.
4. Look at that boy! He is going to jump into the pool.
5. She’s decided. She is going to visit London next month.                            5 p

 

VIII  Read the text and answer the questions.

We all know how important the rainforests are for the survival of our planet. These vast areas are needed to clean the atmosphere by producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. However, they are also important for another major reason. They are home to an enormous number of different species, but not all, and scientists believe that some plants from the rainforests may help us in the future to cure diseases.

However, great areas of rainforest are cut down every day to provide land for cattle and crops. It is very unusual to find rainforest that has not been touched by man, but in Guyana, a small country between Venezuela and Brazil, the rainforest is still unexplored. A group of scientists, wildlife experts and cameramen spent a month in the jungle there looking for rare plants and animals. We can see their experiences in a series of documentaries on BBC television. They found some amazing species. They saw the world’s biggest snake, the biggest spider, the biggest eagle and the biggest otter! They even managed to film the very rare jaguar. They climbed to the tops of really tall trees to film howler monkeys and went into dark caves to finds bats and crickets. A small team also climbed down the side of one of the world’s highest waterfalls to look at the animals and plants living beside it. They found an incredible number of unusual frogs. The scientists organized the expedition to try to persuade the world to protect the rainforests. Let’s hope they succeed.

1. Give two reasons why the rainforests are important.  a) They are needed to clean the atmosphere by producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.  b) They are home to an enormous number of different species.
2. What is special about rainforest in Guyana? This rainforest is still unexplored.
3. Why were the cameramen in the group that went to Guyana?   They went there to film a series of documentaries for BBC television.   8 p

 

                                                                                                                 Total : 51p

 

    Group B

I The First and Second Conditional:

1. If they invite me to the wedding, I will go.
2. We would get to the shops if we hurried.
3. We will go to the beach if the weather is nice.
4. They would buy a yacht if they had a lot of money.
5. If the club closed where would you go?
6. Where would you live if you could choose.
7. She would drive to work if she had a car.
8. If it rains tomorrow, we’ll cancel the barbecue.                                    8 p

 

II  Join the sentences. Use so (much) …that.

1. The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it.
2. He is so ill that the doctors don’t expect him to survive.
3. They ate so much honey that they felt sick.
4. There is so much sugar that we don’t need to buy any.
5. He is so shy that he won’t talk to anyone.                                                5 p

 

III Write the warnings for each sign.

1. Caution. Floor is slippery when wet.
2. Not drinking water.
3. Poison. For external use only. If swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
4. Emergency exit. Keep clear.
5. Beware of the dog.

IV  Write sentences using the following words: 1.infection 2. destroy 3. easy                3 p

For example:

1. He has a very serious infection.
2. The flood has destroyed the whole town.
3. This test is easy.

 V Answer the questions: (Students’ own answers)

1. When do you have a snack?
2. When do you usually feel worried? Why?
3. What time of the day is your stress level the highest? Why?                                  6 p

VI Answer the questions. (Students’ own answers)

1. If you were in a supermarket and saw a person steal a few expensive chocolates, would you tell someone?
2. What would you like to do in the future?
3. What would you do if you won a lottery?                                                             6 p

 

VII Put the verbs in brackets into the Future Simple or am/ is/ are going to.

1. I think she will be a good mother.
2. A: I don’t know her email address. B: Don’t worry. I‘ll send it to you.
3. I’m afraid they‘ll be late for class.
4. Look at him! He is going to trip over the boxes.
5. A: I can’t hear you. B: I‘ll turn the TV down. 5 p

 

VIII  Read the text and answer the questions.

We all know how important the rainforests are for the survival of our planet. These vast areas are needed to clean the atmosphere by producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. However, they are also important for another major reason. They are home to an enormous number of different species, but not all, and scientists believe that some plants from the rainforests may help us in the future to cure diseases.

However, great areas of rainforest are cut down every day to provide land for cattle and crops. It is very unusual to find rainforest that has not been touched by man, but in Guyana, a small country between Venezuela and Brazil, the rainforest is still unexplored. A group of scientists, wildlife experts and cameramen spent a month in the jungle there looking for rare plants and animals. We can see their experiences in a series of documentaries on BBC television. They found some amazing species. They saw the world’s biggest snake, the biggest spider, the biggest eagle and the biggest otter! They even managed to film the very rare jaguar. They climbed to the tops of really tall trees to film howler monkeys and went into dark caves to finds bats and crickets. A small team also climbed down the side of one of the world’s highest waterfalls to look at the animals and plants living beside it. They found an incredible number of unusual frogs. The scientists organized the expedition to try to persuade the world to protect the rainforests. Let’s hope they succeed.

1. Name three places the group went to in the jungle to look for species. a) the tops of really tall trees  b) dark caves c) the side of one of the world’s highest waterfalls
2. What reason did they have to go into the rainforest in Guyana? Wildlife experts and cameramen spent a month in the jungle there looking for rare plants and animals.
3. Why is it unusual to find rainforest untouched by man? It is very unusual to find rainforest that has not been touched by man because great areas of rainforest are cut down every day to provide land for cattle and crops.  8 p

 

                                                                                                                 Total : 51p

 

8th grade: Preparation for the First Written Test

For the test you have grammar and vocabulary from Units 2 and 3 in your textbooks (Project 5, third edition).

Below you can find some exercise to practice and revise the covered topics.

I The First and the Second Conditionals:

1. If they invite me to the wedding, I __________ (go).
2. If it ________ (be) hot today, we would go to the beach.
3. I could buy a yacht if I _______ (have) a lot of money.
4. We ________ (move) to London if Peter got that job.
5. If the weather is good, we often _______ (have) lunch outside.
6. We would get to the shops if we ________ (hurry).
7. My parents ________ (worry) about me if I didn’t phone them every week.
8. If I _____ (know) the answer to the question, I would answer it.
9. The students usually work hard if they ________ (have) a test.
10. If you won a lot of money, what _______ you ______ (do)?

II Join the sentences. Use so (much) …that.

1. The box is very heavy. I cannot lift it.
2. My brother worked hard. He passed the test.
3. He is very ill. The doctors don’t expect him to survive.
4. My grandfather is very weak. He cannot walk.
5. She is very short. She cannot touch the ceiling.
6. William played cleverly. John couldn’t beat him.
7. The necklace was very expensive. I couldn’t buy it.
8. The famine was very severe. Several people perished.
9. The milk was very good. We couldn’t help drinking it.
10. He is very proud. He will not ask for help.

 

III Write the warnings for each sign at page 36 in your SBs.

IV Write sentences using the words from pages 35 and 36 in you SBs.

(Explode, production, destroy, pollution, eruption, decide, decision,  translation, manipulate, infectious, healthy, risk, easy, anger, operate, revolution, caution, cautious…).

V How do the people feel?

VI Answer the questions. Write full sentences.

1. When do you feel most alert?
2. When do you usually start to feel sleepy?
3. At what time of the day do you have a big meal?
4. When do you have a snack?
5. When do you feel relaxed? Why?
6. What time of the day is you stress level highest? Why?
7. What time of the day do you normally feel tired? Why?
8. What time of the day do you normally feel hungry?
9. What time of the day do you normally feel worried? Why?

VII What would you do if these things happened?

1. If you were in a supermarket and saw a person steal a few expensive chocolates, would you tell someone?
2. If you saw your best friends boyfriend kissing another girl would you tell her?
3. If you found a wallet with $1500 cash in it, would you try to return it?
4. If you saw some young kids bullying another kid would you step in?
5. If you saw large teenager boys bullying another teenager, would you step in?
6. If a woman came banging at your door asking for help, would you let her in?
7. What would you like to do in the future?
8. What would you do if you were rich?
9. What would you do if you were poor?
10. What would you do if you were the principal of your school?
11. What would you do if you could suddenly speak German?
12. What would you do if you won a lottery?

VIII  Put the verbs in brackets into the appropriate verb form – Future Simple or am / is / are going to.

1. I think she _______ be a very good mother.
2. After he graduates, he _______ become a lawyer.
3. A: It’s cold in here!  B: I _______ turn off the air-conditioning.
4. They are so excited about their holiday. They _______ stay in a five-star hotel.
5. A: I can’t hear you. B: I ________ turn the TV down.
6. He’s already decided. He ________ buy a new car.
7. I hope everything _______ turn out right.
8. A: I feel dizzy. B: Sit down and I ______ get you a glass of water.
9. A: I don’t know how to use this photocopier. B: Don’t worry. I _______ show you.
10. Look at the girl!  She ________ fall off the chair.

Ispravak prvog pismenog zadatka VII

Group A                 The Correction of the First Written Test, done on 3 December

I Translate: 1.     This is a wooden bridge. 2.     These are woolen socks. 3.     This is a gold ring.

II Translate:

1. These are pointed shoes.
2. This is a checked shirt.
3. These are flared jeans.

III Use the verbs in brackets in the correct tense – the simple past or continuous.

1. What did he do last weekend?
2. They were riding bikes while they rollerblading.
3. He opened a can of Coke and drank it.

IV Write sentences about the things Susan used or didn’t use to do.

1. Susan used to play tennis but now she goes skating.
2. She didn’t use to learn Chinese but now she learns Chinese.

V Translate the sentences:  

1. These boots are too tight. They aren’t loose enough.
2. This car is too expensive. It isn’t cheap enough.

VI Insert modals (could, couldn’t, had to, didn’t have to).

1. The students couldn’t do the Math problem because it was too difficult.
2. He was very busy so he couldn’t finish the project on time.
3. Paula could speak Spanish when she was only 5.

VII Put the verbs in brackets in the present perfect or past simple tense.

1. She has never written an email.
2. They won the match in 2011.
3. He didn’t see that film last weekend.
4. Has she shown you the new dress?
5. We have known each other since July.

VIII Complete the sentences with since or for.  

1. They have been here since 7 o’clock.
2. It has rained for 3 days.
3. He has spoken German since he was 7.

IX Write question tags:

1. We have completed it, haven’t we?
2. Everyone was here, weren’t they?
3. Tina likes chocolate, doesn’t she?
4. Let’s go out, shall we?

X Use the adjectives and nouns from p.25 in your book to complete the sentences.

1. He is a very successful writer.
2. This is an exciting book.
3. Good-looks is very important for models.

XI Read the text and answer the questions.

1. The name of the native people is Aborigines.
2. The British killed a lot of them.
3. They live in places called reservations.

XII Read the text again and write a sentence about each of these dates.

1. 1606 – The first Europeans found Australia.
2. 1788 – The British set up a New South Wales.

 

XIII Write maximum 7 words that we use for hardware or software of a computer.                     

A system unit, a screen, a monitor, a keyboard, keys, a mouse, a mouse mat, a folder, a file, a window, a cursor…

 

Group B         The Correction of the First Written Test, done on 3 December

I Translate: 1.     This is a copper arrow. 2.     These are plastic cups. 3.     This is a silk blouse.

 II Translate:

1. These are high-heeled shoes.
2. This is a striped t-shirt.
3. These are baggy trousers.

III Use the verbs in brackets in the correct tense – the simple past or continuous.

1. What was he doing at 10 p.m. last night?
2. The plane landed 3 hours ago. The tourists have been in the hotel for 2 hours.
3. She opened her bag and took out her lipstick.

IV Write sentences about the things Alex used or didn’t use to do.

1. Alex didn’t use to listen to rock but now he listens to rock.
2. He used to read books but now he reads a lot more.

V Translate the sentences:

1. This skirt is too long. It isn’t short enough.
2. This jumper is too dark. It isn’t light enough.

VI Insert modals (could, couldn’t, had to, didn’t have to).

1. She didn’t have to take the bus because her father drove her in his car.
2. Last Monday he had to revise because he had a French test.
3. Tina could speak when she was 1.

VII Put the verbs in brackets in the present perfect or past simple tense.

1. The stuntman has walked through fire many times.
2. She has just drunk a cup of tea.
3. Dona went to Greece last summer.
4. We didn’t sleep well last Friday.
5. Did she help you with your homework last Monday?

VIII Complete the sentences with since or for.                                          

1. They have been on holiday for 2 weeks.
2. He has spoken German since he was 7.
3. I have watched TV for 30 minutes.

IX Write question tags: 

1. Don’t shout, will you?
2. She is your best friend, isn’t she?
3. They lived in Holland, didn’t they?
4. He won’t be punished, will he?

X Use the adjectives and nouns from p.25 in your book to complete the sentences.

1. Fame doesn’t always bring happiness.
2. Wild animals can be dangerous.
3. She was very angry because he broke her vase.

XI Read the text and answer the questions.

1. The name of the native people is Maori.
2. The British bought land from them and made agreements about how to run the country.
3. Most of native people live in cities now.

XII Read the text again and write a sentence about each of these dates.

1. 1840 – The British Government claimed New Zealand.
2. 1901 – The Australian colonies joined together to make a single British colony.

XIII Write maximum 7 words that we use for hardware or software of a computer.          

A system unit, a screen, a monitor, a keyboard, keys, a mouse, a mouse mat, a folder, a file, a window, a cursor…