octubre 24, 2005

CORES : COLORES

pretonegro
verdeverde
cinzagris
laranjanaranja
rosarosado
vermelhorojo
castanhocastaño
azul celeste azure celeste
begebeige
cremede color crema
carmimcarmesí
douradodorado
magentamagenta
malvamalva
ocreocre
escarlateescarlata
canelacolor de canela
azul marinhoultramarino
vermelho escarlatebermejo

CORPO : CUERPO

axilaaxila
costasespalda
barbabarba
barriga, ventrevientre
seioseno
panturrilhapantorrilla
covahoyuelo
lóbulo da orelhalóbulo de la oreja
sobrancelhasceja
unhauña
antebraçoantebrazo
narinaventana de la nariz
canelaespinilla
dentesdientes
tornozelotobillo
bochechamejilla
peitopecho
orelhaoreja
cotovelocodo
olhoojo
rosto, caracara
dedodedo
péspies
mãomano
cabelocabello
cabeçacabeza
pernapierna
lábiolabio
pescoçocuello
nariznariz
palmapalma
ombroshombro
pelepiel
coxamuslo
dedo do pédedo del pie
cinturacintura
pulsomuñeca

mayo 19, 2005

WAYS OF CUTTING - VOCABULARY



LEVEL: Advanced

SLICE
Cut into slices.

Slice into a cake.
Slice up a loaf.
Slice the beef thin.
The butcher sliced off a thick steak.

PEEL
1. Take the skin off fruits, vegetables.

peel off: a banana, potatoes.
2.(IV) (of a covering or surface) to come off in strips or small pieces.
These potatoes peel easily.
The wall paper is peeling off.
My skin is peeling / my face peeled.

PRUNE
Cut away parts of trees, bushes, etc. to control growth or shape
.
Prune sth. from sth. / Prune off / Prune sth away.
Prune the rose bushes.
These roses need pruning.
Prune away the unwanted growth.
(fig) prune an essay of superfluous matter.
(fig) prune away unnecessary adjectives.

CARVE
1. To cut solid material (e.g. wood, stone) in order to form sth
.
Carve a statue out of wood / in oak.
A figure carved from marble.
2. inscribe on a surface.
Carve one's initials on a tree trunk.
carve an inscription on a bench.
3. cut up cooked meat into slices or pieces for the table.
carve a turkey.

CUT OUT
1. Make sth by cutting (its shape)
.
Cut out an article from a periodical.
Cut out a path through the jungle.
Cut out a dress.
2.(colloq.) omit: let's cut out the details.
3.(colloq.) quit: I must cut out cigarettes
.

WHITTLE
Reduce the size of by cutting away slices
.
Whittle sth away.
Whittle away at sth.
He was whittling at a piece of wood.
The boy whittled a sword from a tree branch.
He whittled a branch into a sword.

SAW
Cut with a saw
.
To saw wood.
Saw a log in two.
Saw a branch off a tree.
Saw sth up = saw into pieces.

SPLIT
1. Cut in / into two or more.

Along a line of natural division.
To split logs.
2. Split sth open = to break open by bursting.
His coat split open at the seams.
3. Divide.
split the atom.
split the party up into small groups.
let's split (leave a party, etc).
jack and Jill split up.
Let's split the difference.
I have a splitting headache.
she has a split personality.

TRIM
Make sth neat by cutting away unwanted parts
.
Trim one's beard.
Trim your hair.
Just a trim, please (hair).

CHOP
Cut into pieces by blows with an axe, etc.

Chop wood.
Chop meat up into cubes.
Chop a branch off a tree.
Chop a tree down.

MOW
Cut grass with a scythe or lawn mower
.
Mow the lawn.
Mow hay.

Ways of looking - VOCABULARY



LEVEL: Advanced

(Most verbs of looking go with the preposition AT. These are all regular verbs.)


PEER:
1) strain your eyes in order to see. (as if unable to see well).
e.g. With glasses . Over your glasses. Over somebody's shoulder.
2) at / into something. (escudriñar)

PEEP:
short, quick look taken secretly (incomplete view). Thru a narrow opening.
e.g. Peep in/into the oven. Peep at a neighbor's paper.
e.g. A peeping Tom = someone who likes to watch women undress. (Lady Godiva).
a Peep-hole: of a door - the sights of a gun
to take a peep at: to look cautiously / shyly.

GLANCE:
give a quick intentional look.
e.g. She glanced at her watch with impatience.

GLIMPSE:
Quick unintentional.
To give/have/get/catch a glimpse of ...
e.g. I had a glimpse of his brother so I couldn't really describe him.
e.g. He caught a quick glimpse of her in the crowd before she disappeared from view.

GLARE:
look angrily at. (also shine in a dazzling way)

GLOWER

LOOK DAGGERS

SCOWL:
look in a bad tempered way. (you appear to be angry)
e.g. The receptionist scowled at the rude customer.

FROWN:
with concentration / puzzlement / disapproval

OGLE:
to look with insistence and pleasure.
e.g. Men ogle at women.

LEER AT:
with desire or lust, as a dirty old man.
e.g. He leered at his neighbor's wife.

GOGGLE:
as if eyes came out of their sockets with surprise/terror/etc.

GOGGLE BOX:
T.V. (British Eng.)

GAPE:
look in silly astonishment.
e.g. Country visitors usually gape at neon lights.

GLOAT (OVER something):
with selfish delight.
e.g. She gloats over her clothes / He gloats over his money.

GAZE:
look in awe/admiration (fixedly).
e.g. Stop gazing at that girl.

STARE:
fixed look (rude).
empty look

TWITCH:
eyes can twitch sometimes (tremble a little, in an involuntary movement of the muscles)

WINK an eye at somebody.

WAYS OF TOUCHING - VOCABULARY



LEVEL: Advanced.

TOUCH
1. Even the slightest touch will break a soap bubble.
2. It's soft / rough / cold to the touch.
3. Stroke (pen, paint). Add a few finishing touches to the drawing.
4. A touch of = a bit of. There was a touch of bitterness / irony in his remarks.
5. To touch-type (without looking at keyboard).
6. In / Out of touch. Lose touch with.
7. "Touch wood".
8. No one can touch him as a piano player.
9. (neg) eat / drink. He hasn't touched food for 2 days.
10. Wound. You've touched his self-esteem.
11. Touch sth off = cause to start. Their arrest touched off a riot.
12. Touch sth up = give the finishing touches. Touch the essay up and hand it in.
13. Touchy = easily offended.
Touchiness / Touchily.

CARESS
Give a loving / affectionate touch or light stroke.


STROKE
1. Deal a blow.
2. Swimming: breast-stroke / back-stroke.
Rowing / golf
3. Pen / brush
4. Pass hand on surface, usually again and again. Stroke one's cat / beard.

EMBRACE
To hug

1. To embrace: They embraced.
2. Accept. They embraced the offer / opportunity.

TICKLE
1. Tickle sb in the ribs.
This rough blanket tickles (me).
2. Please. I was tickled to death by the news.
They tickled his vanity by praisinf his work.
3. A ticklish person / question / situation (needing care).

TAP
Quick, light blow.

A tap at the door / on the window.
Tap sb on the shoulder.
Tap your foot on the floor impatiently.

SHOVE
Push, usually heavily.

Shove a boat into water
Stop shoving!
Give ir a shove (vigorous push).

PUSH
1. Opp. to pull.
2. Make other recognize. You should push your products if you want to sell.
3. Deal drugs, etc. A drug pusher.
4. Push sb for sth = press hard. We?re pushing them for payment / an answer to our request.
5. Tony had to push himself to go on with that job.
6. She'll push him to suicide.
7. I won't be pushed around by you or anyone! (bullied)
8. Push on / forward (to a place). We must push on to X before it's dark.
Let's push on with our work.
9. Tom was pushed through the exam by his teacher (helped thru a hard situation).

MASSAGE
To apply massage to sb's back.
Masseuse / masseur
Physiotherapist.

PINCH
1. She pinched the boy's cheek
I pinched my finger in the doorway.
2. (colloq) steal. Who pinched my dictionary?
3. A pinch of salt.

SLAP
1. She slapped his face / him on the face.
I don't like being slapped on the back as a greeting.
2. (fig) "I gave him a slap in the face" = I gave him a rebuff (contemptuous refusal / indifference).

SMACK
(sound) open hand / kiss
Slap. Smack a naughty child.
Smack your lips to show pleasure.

SPANK
Give a child a spanking.
Paddle = light, easy strokes.

PUNCH
Punch a man on the chin.
He has a face I'd like to punch.
A punch-up = the quarrel ended in a punch-up.

SLUG
Slog/ged (Am) + at = 1. hit hard and wildly (esp. box / cricket)
Slog at the ball
2. Walk / work har and steadly.
He slogged away at his work / along the road.

HIT
Hit him on the head / Be hit by a stone.
Hit the target
He hit his head against the kerb when he fall
"Hit a man when he's down" = "hit sb below the belt".
"Hit it" = guess right.
A "hit-and-run" accident.
Hit sb hard = cause him to suffer. He has hard hit by financial losses.
Hit the headlines / the road.
Hit on / upon an idea / the right answer / a good plan.

YANK
Give a sudden / shap pull to

Yank out a tooth.
Tom yanked the bed-clothes off his young brother and told him to get up.
SHAKE
Make sth or sb move up or down.

GROPE
Grope for / after / about = feel / search as if dark
He groped for the door handle / light switch / an answer (fig)
We gropped our way along the dark corridor.

PAT
A dog / a ball = so it bounces up and down.
Sb / oneself on the back = approval / congratulate

PET
fondle / kiss and caress
Silly women pet their poodles

NECK
(sl) Make out
Kiss, caress and hug (couples)

PARA HACER PREGUNTAS


NIVEL: Básico

Completar con: dónde / como / quién / cuántos / cuándo

1. ¿De . . . . . . . sos?
Soy de Inglaterra.

2. ¿ . . . . . . . es él?
Él es mi papá.

3. ¿ . . . . . . . está tu casa?
Mi casa está en Villa Crespo.

4. ¿ . . . . . . . años tiene tu mamá?
Tiene 56 años.

5. ¿ . . . . . . . es Jorge Luis Borges?
Es un escritor Argentino muy importante.

6. ¿ . . . . . . . es tu cumpleaños?
Mi cumpleaños es el 20 de diciembre.

7. ¿ . . . . . . . es Londres?
Es una ciudad muy grande, cosmopolita, elegante y antigua.

8. ¿ . . . . . . . se llama tu mejor amiga?
Mi mejor amiga se llama Lucrecia.

9. ¿ . . . . . . . se escribe tu apellido?
López, con zeta final.

10. ¿ . . . . . . . pintó ese cuadro?
Picasso.

WAYS OF CUTTING II



1. (a) . . . . . . . . . . the cake into ten pieces, please.
2. That figure was (b) . . . . . . . . . . from marble.
3. If you want to look tidier you should (c) . . . . . . . . . . your beard more often.
4. While he waited for her he (d) . . . . . . . . . . at a piece of wood.
5. Hey, listen to this: I heard Susan and Paul have (e) . . . . . . . . . . up!
6. Darling, the wall paper is (f) . . . . . . . . . . off. I guess it's time we removed it altogether.
7. Take it from a pro: these rose-bushes need (g) . . . . . . . . . .
8. Lovers will (h) . . . . . . . . . . their names on tree trunks and pub tables to tell the world about their love.
9. (i) . . . . . . . . . . wood is good exercise; (j) . . . . . . . . . . wood isn't.
10. That's an interesting article: I'll (k) . . . . . . . . . . it . . . . . . . . . .
11. The butcher (l) . . . . . . . . . . off too thick a steak for my taste.
12. Right there at the cocktail party, his jacket (m) . . . . . . . . . . open at the seams.
13. We told the gardener to (n) . . . . . . . . . . that tree, but the moron (o) . . . . . . . . . . it down!
14. Mr. Pagliaro, I believe you should (p) . . . . . . . . . . away all the unnecessary adjectives from this essay of yours.
15. Every summer my skin (q) . . . . . . . . . . all over from sun-burning.
16. Dr. Huxtable let his son Theo (r) . . . . . . . . . . the Thanksgiving Turkey this year.
17. Laura is taking sewing lessons. She can (s) . . . . . . . . . a skirt already.
18. To obtain the best of stews, (t) . . . . . . . . . . the meat up into cubes, (u) . . . . . . . . . . the potatoes into dice and then cook them in tomato sauce.

VOCABULARY on CLOTHES



LEVEL: Higher Intermediate / Advanced

You can wear clothes or jewelry or you can have clothes / jewelry on.
I'm going to wear my little black dress to the party.
You can be dressed in clothes, fabric or a color.
She was dressed in jeans / all in black / in green velvet
You can put on and take off any sort of clothing. You can also:

Pull on: Boots / Gloves / A jacket / A pair of something / Socks / A sweater / Tights / Trousers.
Pull up: Jeans / Knickers / Pants / A skirt / Socks / Trousers.
Slip on: A dressing gown / A jacket / A pair of something / A robe / Shoes.
Slip into: Something more comfortable.
Shrug into: A coat / A jacket.
Throw on: A coat / A jacket.

She pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a sweater.
Wait a while I slip into something more comfortable.
Throwing on his coat, he made for the door.


Remove: Clothes / A coat / Glasses / A hat / A jacket / A mask / A shirt / Shoes.
Pull off: Gloves / A coat / Socks / A hat / A jacket / A mask / A shirt / Shoes.
Pull down: Knickers / Pants / A skirt / Trousers.
Drop: Pants / Trousers.
Kick off: Sandals / Trousers.
Shrug off: A coat / A jacket.

He removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
With a dramatic gesture she pulled off her mask.
I kicked off my sandals and felt the warm sand slipping between my toes.


Do up / undo: A bra / A buckle / Buttons / Flies / Shoelaces / A zip.
Zip up / unzip: An anorak / A dress / Flies / A jacket / Jeans / A skirt.
Button up / unbutton: A blouse / A coat / Flies / A jacket / A shirt.
Lace up / unlace: Boots / Shoes / Trainers.
Fasten / unfasten: A belt / A buckle / Buttons.

His fingers fumbled to do up the small buttons on his shirt.
My shoelaces came undone and I nearly tripped.
Tom buttoned his overcoat up to his neck and raised his collar.


Adjectives: Clothes
Elegant / fancy / fine / lovely / nice / pretty / cheap / expensive / fresh / dirty / ragged / shabby / tight / baggy / ill-fitting / loose / sloppy / fashionable / trendy / dowdy / nerdy / old-fashioned / formal / smart / casual / everyday / ordinary / outrageous / strange / wacky / warm / summer / winter / outdoor / baby / maternity / mourning / night / riding / school / sports / work / working / civilian / plain.

FALSOS AMIGOS



PortuguesEspanhol EspañolPortugués
aborreceraburrir/molestar aborrecer detestar
aceitar aceptar aceitar lubrificar com óleo
acordar despertar acordarse lembrar
aliás además alias nome suposto
anho cordero año ano
apaixonado enamorado apasionado afeiçoado / partidário
aparato ostentación aparato aparelho
apurar purificar apurar apurar, acabar
assinatura firma asignatura cadeira
aula clase (lección)aula sala
azar mala suerte azar casualidade
balão globo balón bola
balcão mostrador balcón varanda
batata papabatata batata doce
bilheteira taquilla billetera porta-notas
bocadinho poquito / momentito bocadillosanduíche
brincar bromear / jugar brincar saltar
brinco pendiente brinco salto
cadeira silla cadera anca
calções pantalones cortoscalzones cuecas
cambiar cambiar (divisas) cambiar trocar / mudar
câmbio cambio (divisas) cambio troca / mudança
camelocamello camelo engano
camioneta autobús camioneta carrinha / furgoneta
cena escena cena jantar
certo correcto cierto verdadeiro
coelho conejocuellopescoço
colar pegar colar encolar
concorrênciacompetenciaconcurrenciaassistência, participação / confluência
conforme según conforme conformado / resignado
consertar arreglar / reparar concertar combinar
contaminar contagiar contaminar poluir
copo vaso / copa copo floco (de neve)
cravo clavel clavo prego
criança niño-a crianza criação
desenvolver desarrollar desenvolver desembrulhar
encerrar cerrar encerrar prender / fechar à chave
engraçado gracioso / mono engrasado lubrificado
escova cepillo escoba vassoura
escritório oficina escritorio escrevaninha
esquisito raro / excéntrico exquisito delicioso
exprimir expresar exprimir espremer / torcer a roupa
fechar cerrar fechar datar
férias vacaciones feria feira
funcionário empleado funcionario funcionário público
graça gracia grasa graxa / gordura
largo ancho / plaza largo comprido / longo
logo de inmediato luego depois
maestro director (orquesta) maestro professor / mestre
namorado novio enamorado apaixonado
oficina taller oficina escritório
osso hueso oso urso
pegar agarrar / coger pegar bater
presunto jamón presunto suposto
procurar buscar procurar tentar
propina matrícula / cuota propina gorjeta
rato ratón rato momento
roxo morado / violeta rojo vermelho / encarnado
ruivo pelirrojo rubio loiro
salada ensalada salada salgada
salsaperejil salsa molho
sucesso éxito suceso acontecimento
taça copa taza chávena / xícara
talher cubierto (cuchara, etc) taller oficina
tirar quitar / agarrar / sacar / tomartirar atirar / deitar / puxar
todavia no obstante todavía ainda
vaso maceta / jarrón vaso copo
vassoura escoba basura lixo

FAUX AMIS



FrançaisEspañol EspañolFrançais
BâtirConstruirBatirBattre
CadenasCandadoCadenasChaînes
ClavierTecladoClavelOeillet
CollerPegar (con pegamento)ColarFiltrer / passer
ConstipéEstreñidoConstipadoEnrhumé
DécadeDiez díasDécadaDécennie
DemanderPedir / preguntarDemandarPoursuivre
DepuisDesde
hace
DespuésAprès
DiscuterHablarDiscutirSe disputer
DosEspaldaDosDeux
EmbrasserBesar / abarcarAbrazarSerrer (dans ses bras)
ÉpauleHombroEspaldaDos
ÉquipageTripulaciónEquipajeBagages
InversionInversión (cambiar el orden)InversiónInvestissement
LargeAnchoLargoLong
PlacerPoner / colocarPlacerPlaisir
PrendreAgarrarPrenderAllumer
PourtantSin embargoPor lo tantoPar conséquent
QuitterDejarQuitarEnlever
RareEscasoRaroBizarre
ResterQuedarseRestarSoustraire
SalirEnsuciarSalirSortir
SermentJuramentoSermónSermon
SillonSurcoSillónFauteuil
SoignerCuidarSoñarRêver
SolSueloSolSoleil
SubirSufrirSubirMonter
SombreOscuroSombraOmbre
ToutefoisSin
embargo
TodavíaEncore

mayo 17, 2005

Expresiones con el verbo "TENER"


NIVEL: Básico

TENER... HAMBRE / SED / SUEÑO / FRÍO / CALOR / MIEDO / SUERTE

A. Conjugar el verbo "Tener", en la persona que corresponda, en el Presente del Indicativo.

1. Cuando miro una película de terror .......... ..........
2. Cuando es invierno todos nosotros .......... ..........
3. Cuando vos comprás agua es porque .......... ..........
4. Si Sara gana la lotería quiere decir que .......... ..........
5. Si Uds. .......... .........., coman algo.
6. Si nos abrigamos demasiado .......... ..........
7. Si duermo poco de noche, durante el día .......... ..........

B. Leer el cuadro y luego combinar las frases que aparecen debajo para escribir oraciones parecidas a los ejemplos:

"TENER QUE" = OBLIGACIÓN
"TENER GANAS DE" = DESEO

Ej: Tengo ganas de ir al cine pero tengo que estudiar.
Ej: Tengo que trabajar el domingo pero no tengo ganas.


HOY TENGO GANAS DE (DESEO) .......... PERO TENGO QUE (OBLIGACION) ..........

jugar al fútbol
ver una película
caminar por la ciudad
ver a mi novio/a
escribir muchos e-mails
no hacer nada
limpiar mi habitación
estudiar español
ir al dentista

FALSE FRIENDS



ENGLISH

SPANISH

SPANISH

ENGLISH

actual

real

actual

Present / current

advice

consejo

aviso

sign / notice

affluent

acaudalado

afluente

tributary

apparent

obvio / evidente

aparente

seeming

argument

pelea / discusión

argumento

Plot

casual

informal

casual

by chance

casualties

víctimas / bajas

casualidad

chance

comprehensive

amplio / completo

comprensivo

understanding

conductor

director de orquesta

conductor

driver

conversant (with)

versado

conversador

talkative

compromise

acuerdo

compromiso

appointment / engagement

crude

tosco / burdo

crudo

raw

directory

guía telefónica

directorio

board of directors

discuss

charlar / tratar

discutir

argue

disgrace

deshonor / oprobio

desgracia

misfortune

disgust

asco

disgusto

sorrow / grief

distracted

aturdido /
enloquecido

distraído

absent - minded

embarrassed

incómodo / turbado

embarazada

pregnant

exit

salida

éxito

success

familiar

conocido

familiar

relative

fabric

trama / tejido

fábrica

factory

file

archivo

fila

row / line

gross

(peso) bruto / torpe / burdo

grueso

thick

idiom

expresión idiomática

idioma

language

infirm

débil (físico)

poco firme

unsteady

intoxicated

alcoholizado

intoxicado

poisoned

momentous

decisivo / crucial

momentáneo

temporary

particular

peculiar

particular

private

rare

poco común

raro

strange / queer / odd

realize

darse cuenta / tomar conciencia

realizar

perform / carry out

recipient

beneficiario

recipiente

container

resume

reanudar

resumir

sum up

sensible

sensato / juicioso

sensible

sensitive

support

apoyar / respaldar

soportar

tolerate / bear / stand

sympathetic

comprensivo

simpático

nice

traduce

calumniar

traducir

translate

ultimately

en última instancia

últimamente

lately

vase

florero

vaso

glass

ascertain

comprobar

acertar

hit / guess

assist

ayudar

asistir

attend

editor

jefe de redacción

editor

publisher

carpet

alfombra

carpeta

folder

mayo 06, 2005

Provérbios em Português


¿Cuál es el proverbio en español para cada uno de los siguientes proverbios en portugués?

A) A cavalo dado não se olha os dentes.
B) Cachorro que ladra não morde.
C) O pior surdo é aquele que não quer ouvir.
D) No país dos cegos quem tem um olho é rei.
E) Em casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.
F) Deus ajuda quem cedo madruga.
G) Tempo vale ouro.
H) Em boca fechada não entra mosquito.
I) Melhor prevenir do que remediar.
J) O que os olhos não veem, o coracão não sente.
K) Onde há fumaca há fogo.
L) Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois voando.
M) Não adianta chorar sobre o leite derramado.
N) Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria.
O) O fim justifica os meios.
P) Antes só do que mal acompanhado.
Q) Pobre quando vê muita esmola, desconfia.
R) Filho de peixe peixinho é.
S) Pau que nasce torto morre torto.
T) Quem tudo quer nada tem.
U) A pressa é inimiga da perfeicão.
V) Quem diz o quer ouve o que não quer.
W) Quem semeia vento colhe tempestade.

marzo 10, 2005

SLEEPING


LEVEL: Intermediate and up.

Match these phrases with their definition:

PHRASES

1. He's asleep
2. He's sleepy
3. He's a light sleeper
4. He's a poor sleeper


DEFINITIONS

a. He suffers from insomnia
b. He is sleeping now
c. He is easily woken
d. He feels like sleeping


What's the difference between "He went to bed" and "He went to sleep"?


Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrase:

1. Put out of sleep
2. Toss and turn
3. Turn in
4. Wake up with a start


a. When my husband comes late at night, I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b. Last night I was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by a car alarm.

c. It's her birthday tonight, so she will surely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . very late.

d. When I can't sleep I begin to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in bed.

WAYS OF TOUCHING


LEVEL: Advanced

Complete the sentences choosing the right verbs from the following list and making the necessary tense changes.

Touch / caress / embrace / kiss / tickle / tap / push / massage / punch / slap / spank / pinch / yank / shake / grope / pat / stroke / hit

1) In a boxing match one boxer . . . . . . . . . . . the other.
2) My son . . . . . . . . . . . the ball so hard that it broke the window pane.
3) Don't . . . . . . . . . . . me! It makes me laugh too much!
4) Don't . . . . . . . . . . . your foot on the floor. You're making me nervous!
5) I don't think parents should . . . . . . . . . . . their children.
6) My husband was dozing off in the middle of Parents Meeting, so I had to . . . . . . . . . . . his arm in order to wake him up.
7) The repair man . . . . . . . . . . . on the wire and it broke.
8) Nurses sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . patients' hands to comfort them when they are in pain.
9) He . . . . . . . . . . . his wife's cheek with love.
10) If he says that again, I'll . . . . . . . . . . . him across the face!

WAYS OF LOOKING III


LEVEL: Advanced

8. Complete the following extracts with the right verbs:

The kitchen was dark, but Jim knew where every piece of furniture was. He put out his hand touched the corner of the table, a chair-back, the towel hanger, as he went along. He crossed the room so silently that even he could hear only his breath and the whisper of his trousers legs together, and the beating of his watch in his pocket. The bedroom door stood open. And spilled a patch of moonlight on the kitchen floor. Jim reached the door at last and (a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . through.

Jim dipped his hand into the trough and stirred the moon to broken swirling streams of light. He wetted his forehead with his damp hands and stood up. This time he did not move so quietly, but the crossed the kitchen on tip toe and stood in the bedroom door. Jelka moved her arm and opened her eyes a little. The eyes sprang wide, then they glistened with moisture. Jim looked into her eyes; her face was blank of expression. A little drop ran out of Jelka's nose and lodged in the hollow of her upper lip. She (b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back at him.

There were three steps down form the street door. Then the store extended, narrow and low between the book-packed walls, sixty or seventy feet to a little cubbyhole of an office where a large sallow man worked under a shaded desk lamp. He has heard the street door open and looked that way a moment, (c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . intently through his spectacles. Seeing only a thin, stiffly erect gentleman with a small cropped white moustache, standing hesitant before the table with the sign "Any book, 50 cents", he returned to the folded copy of a religious weekly on the desk in front of him.

We sat round a small table, sipping our drinks and watching the other inhabitants of the bar with interest. For the most part they seemed to consist of very old men, with long, sweeping moustaches, whose brown faces were seamed and stitched by the wind. They sat in small groups, crouched over their tiny tumblers of cognac or wine with a dead air, as though they were hibernating there in this dingy bar, (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hopelessly into the bottoms of their glasses, wondering when the wind would die down and knowing it would not.

No one answered. The bell rang. Still no one spoke. Frodo (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at all the faces, but they were not turned to him. All the committee sat with downcast eyes, as if in deep thought. A great dread fell on him, as if he was awaiting the pronouncement of some doom that he had long foreseen and vainly hoped might after all never be spoken.

WAYS OF LOOKING II


LEVEL: Advanced

4) Solve the ANAGRAMS that appear in brackets after the definitions and write an example:

a) To look in a silly and astonished way: (PEAG)
b) To look in an angry way (WOLGRE)
c) To look in a bad-tempered way (CLOWS)
d) To look at someone with desire ar lust (RELE)


5) What is the difference between STARE & GAZE?

6) Can you use these?

TWITCH
GLOAT
FROWN
MAKE EYES AT SOMEONE
WINK AN EYE AT SOMEONE


7) Match the verb of Looking with the right sentence ending:

a. She stared
b. She glanced
c. She gazed
d. She observed
e. She noticed
f. She spotted
g. She scanned
h. She peered
i. She peeped
j. She caught a glimpse of


1. the red Mercedes as it flashed by
2. at the building through the fog
3. a small crack she hadn't seen before
4. at the wall vacantly
5. through a crack in the door to see inside
6. at him quickly to see if she had heard
7. a face she recognized in the crowd
8. at him in deep admiration
9. the people on the beach below carefully
10. the pages of a newspaper in case there was a report on the meeting

WAYS OF LOOKING


LEVEL: Advanced

1) Which of these verbs...

PEER / PEEP / GAPE

...matches this definition?

"To strain your eyes in order to see (e.g. in the darkness; without glasses (when needed); over your glasses)"

Write an example


2) Complete the following sentences using the verbs below:

glare / peep / ogle / goggle / glance

a) Lucas hasn't studied for this test. He keeps . . . . . . . . . . at his classmate's paper.
b) Maia . . . . . . . . . . at her watch to check how many minutes she had till the end of the class.
c) Argentine men openly . . . . . . . . . . at women in the street.
d) Before the fight, both boxers stood . . . . . . . . . . at each other.
e) Frankie . . . . . . . . . . at her in amazement. He couldn't believe his eyes.


3) Both GLANCE & GLIPSE mean "to take a quick look" but: one is Intentional, the other one isn't.
WHICH IS WHICH?


Examples:
Glance at: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Be given / Have / Catch / Get a glimpse of: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CARS - III


Complete the passage with the words below:

(Rear-view) mirror / glove compartment / gear lever / handbrake / seat belt / steering / wheel / brake / horn / speedometer / petrol gauge / accelerator / clutch

She looked at the map one more time before putting it back in the a).......... It was ten past nine. She should make it just in time. She checked the b).......... Yes, she had plenty of petrol for the drive. She released the c).........., put the car in gear, and pressed down on the d).......... The car moved smoothly from the kerb.

Half an hour later, when she looked in the e).......... and saw the police car she suddenly realized that she was going far too fast. The f)........... Registered 95 miles an hour. But she had to get to his house in time or a terrible wrong would be done. She gripped the g).........., forcing herself to be calm; in a practiced routine her left foot depressed the h)........... while her left hand enveloped the i).......... as she changed from fourth to third in faultless synchronization. Maybe the police would leave her alone.

The car slowed, but not enough as, just ahead of her, a deer suddenly sprang up in the headlights. Her foot hit the j)........... At the same moment as she sounded the k)........... Then, suddenly, she was fighting desperately to control the car on the oily surface of the road -and the police were closing fast. It was at that moment that she realized she wasn't wearing her l)............

CARS II


A) Which kind of car would you most like to own? Why?

Van
Jeep
Saloon
Hatchback
Estate car
Sports car
Soft-top


B) Read this insurance claim and use it to complete the chart which follows. Which words go with each part? Choose the correct one.

The accident was caused, I believe, because the lights on the boy's bicycle were faulty. Thus I did not see him until I had turned across the road. Obviously I had to swerve to try to avoid him and that is why I hit the wall. The boy crashed into the bollards at the side of the road. The bicycle ended up with a buckled front wheel. My car is almost a complete write-off. The headlights are smashed, the bonnet is dented and the front bumper is completely buckled. Of course the windscreen was shattered and there are two big dents in the wing. Luckily neither of us was seriously hurt.

dented / shattered / buckled / broken / faulty / smashed

a) The wing is ...
b) The bumper is ...
c) The headlight is ...
d) The windscreen is ...
e) The wheel is ...

CARS - VOCABULARY


What do these words mean in Spanish?

Bonnet - (US) hood
Boot (US) - trunk
Bumper
Door
Exhaust-pipe
Headlight and sidelight (US Parking light)
Hubcap
Indicator light (US turn signal)
Number plate (US license plate)
Tail-light (US also tail-lamp)
Rear window
Registration number (US license plate number)
Roof
Roof-rack
Tyre (US tire)
Windscreen (US windshield)
Windscreen wiper (US windshield wiper)
Wing (US fender)
Wing mirror (US side mirror)


THE INTERIOR

Accelerator pedal (US gas pedal)
Brake pedal
Choke
Clutch pedal
Dashboard
Driver's seat
Door handle
Gear lever (US gear shift)
Glove compartment
Handbrake
Headrest
Heater
Horn
Ignition switch
Passenger seat
Rear-view mirror
Seat-belt
Speedometer
Steering wheel


THE ENGINE AND THE CHASSIS

Air filter
Axle
Battery
Break drum
Carburettor (US Carburetor)
Chassis
Clutch
Dipstick
Differential gear
Dynamo
Exhaust manifold
Fan
Fan belt
Gearbox
Handbrake
Ignition
Leads
Petrol tank (US gas tank)
Radiator
Shock absorber
Silencer (US muffer)
Sparking-plug
Suspension
Transmission shaft (US drive shaft)

PROVERBS


LEVEL: Pre Intermediate and up.

Match each proverb in English with a similar one in Spanish.

English proverbs

1) Jack of all trades, master of none.
2) It's no use crying over spilt milk.
3) A burnt child dreads the fire.
4) Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
5) Too many cooks spoil the broth.
6) Barking dogs seldom bits.
7) The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
8) None so blind as those that will not see.
9) Among the bling the one-eyed man is the king.
10) Haste makes waste.
11) The end justifies the means.
12) Birds of a feather flock together.
13) Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
14) Out of sight, out of mind.
15) The early bird catches the worm.
16) Then there's a will, there's a way.
17) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
18) A close mouth catches no flies.
19) Time is money.
20) A stitch in time saves nine.


Spanish proverbs

A) En la cancha se ven los pingos.
B) A caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes.
C) Perro que ladra no muerde.
D) No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.
E) En el país de los ciegos el tuerto es rey.
F) Vísteme despacio que estoy apurado.
G) El que mucho abarca poco aprieta.
H) El que se quema con leche ve una vaca y llora.
I) Muchas manos en un palo hacen mucho garabato.
J) No hay que escupir al cielo.
K) Al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda.
L) El que quiere, puede. Querer es poder.
M) El tiempo es oro.
N) En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
O) Mejor prevenir que curar.
P) El fin justifica los medios.
Q) Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
R) Dios los cría, y ellos se juntan.
S) Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
T) No hay que llorar sobre la leche derramada.

THE WEATHER


LEVEL: High Intermediate / Advanced

Match each word with its definition:

Words:

1) Hurricane
2) Blizzard
3) Fog
4) Typhoon
5) Frost
6) Tornado
7) Drizzle
8) Hail
9) Gale
10) Drought
11) Thunderstorm
12) Haze
13) Flood

Definitions:

A) Violent Tropical Windstorm (in the Pacific).
B) Weather condition below freezing point.
C) Violent Windstorm (in the Atlantic).
D) Wind shaped as a pipe (in land).
E) Violent Snowstorm.
F) Very thin rain.
G) Strong, violent wind.
H) Thick vapour suspended in the air.
I) Period of dry weather.
J) Thin mist.
K) Great quantity of water.
L) Frozen raindrops.
M) Storm of thunder.

WAYS OF CUTTING


LEVEL: Advanced

Match the verbs with the right definition:

Verbs:

1) Saw
2) Cut out
3) Whittle
4) Slice
5) Split
6) Prune
7) Carve
8) Peel
9) Trim
10) Mow
11) Chop


Definitions:

A) Cut into thin, flat pieces.

B) 1.Take the skin off fruits, vegetables; / 2. (of a covering or surface) to come off in strips or small pieces.

C) Cut away parts of trees, bushes, etc. to control growth or shape

D) 1. Cut solid material (e.g. wood, stone) in order to form something / 2. inscribe on a surface; 3. Cut up cooked meat into slices or pieces for the table.

E) 1. Make something by cutting (its shape); / 2. (colloq.) omit: let's ... the details; / 3. (colloq.) quit: I must ... cigarettes.

F) Reduce the size of a thing by cutting away pieces.

G) Cut something with a saw.

H) 1. Cut in / into two or more pieces (usually along a line of natural division); / 2. To ? something open = to break open by bursting; / 3. Divide.

I) Make sth neat by cutting away unwanted parts

J) Cut into pieces by blows with an axe, etc.

K) Cut grass with a scythe or lawn mower

marzo 09, 2005

AMERICAN IDIOMS



In each sentence of the following dialog choose the idiom meaning the definition in brackets:


Judy: Today I'm under the ground / under the weather / under the sea (-a- not feeling well).

Ann: Play hooky / Play marbles / Play darts (-b- stay away from school or work without permission). I won't spill the salt / spread the butter / spill the beans (-c- tell the secret).

Judy: I can't. I'm drowned / dead / swamped (-d- over whelmed; covered completely) with work. My job is no party / no picnic / no heaven (-e- not something pleasant).

Ann: Well, Hang in there / Hang up now / Hand in this (-f- be patient, wait). In the long run / In the long time / On the last day (-g- in the end, as a result), you'll be standing high / sitting pretty / lying great (-h- in a favorable situation).

Judy: I hope so. I have to bring home the bread / bring home the beans / bring home the bacon (-i- earn the family's income).

septiembre 23, 2004

SOUNDS


Fill in the blanks using this words.

BANG / BLEEP / BUZZ / CLANG / CLATTER / CREAK / GROAN / HISS / HUM / RATTLE / ROAR / RUMBLE / RUSTLE / SCREECH / SIGH / SNORE / SOB / THUD / THUMP / WHISTLE

The refrigerator (a)................ in one corner.
The door (b)................ and closed.
She keeps moaning and (c)................ about her job.
She saw her idol on the screen and (d)................ .
Stop (e)................ that song!
I heard the (f)................ of someone washing dishes in the kitchen.
The old elevator door (g)................ shut.
Tragic thoughts kept (h)................ in my head.
Air (i)................ our of the burst ball.
She started (j)................ when she heard she hadn't passed the test.
There was a cloud of dust as the truck (k)................ past.
The bomb exploded with a loud (l)................ .
I could hear the princess dress (m)................ as she came closer.
There was a (n)................ as he hit the floor.
He dropped the suitcase on the floor with a (o)................ .
Thunder (p)................ in the distance.
A battered old Chevrolet (q)................ along the street.
The machine (r)................ when the job is done.
The car (s)................ just in time to avoid an accident.
She couldn't stand her husband (t)................ next to her in bed.