martes, 2 de abril de 2013

Task 10


miércoles, 20 de marzo de 2013

miércoles, 13 de marzo de 2013

Task 8

Maybe / perhaps

In British English both of these adverbs are still very commonly used and have the same meaning. You use them to say that something is possible or may be true, but you are not certain.

They can be used interchangeably but of the two, maybe is very appropriate for more informal contexts and perhaps is used in more formal situations. Compare the following:

I can't find it anywhere. ~ Perhaps / Maybe you threw it away.
How old is Jane? ~ I don't really know. In her twenties, certainly. Twenty-five, maybe.
There were perhaps as many as fifty badly wounded soldiers in the hospital.
Perhaps I should explain to you how they came to be there.
St Paul's Cathedral is perhaps one of London's most prominent landmarks.
Why don't you join us for the New Year celebrations? ~ Yeah, perhaps / maybe I will.
Maybe you are right! Perhaps it would be best if you didn't invite Johnnie
Note that perhaps is pronounced 'praps'. Note also from the above illustrations that perhaps and maybe can be used to refer to past, present or future events.
May / might

Similarly, we can use the modal auxiliaries may or might to say that there is a chance that something is true or may happen. May and might are used to talk about present or future events. They can normally be used interchangeably, although might may suggest a smaller chance of something happening. Compare the following:
I may go into town tomorrow for the Christmas sales. And James might come with me!
What are you doing over the New Year, Ann? ~ Oh, I may go to Scotland, but there again, I might stay at home.
If you go to bed early tonight, you may / might feel better tomorrow.
If you went to bed early tonight, you might feel better tomorrow.
One of my New Year resolutions is to go to the gym twice a week! ~ And pigs might fly!
Note that 'Pigs might fly' is a fixed expression and always uses might. It means that something will never happen.
In the first conditional example, will perhaps could be substituted.
If you go to bed early tonight, you may / might feel better tomorrow.
In the second conditional example, where might is an alternative for would perhaps, may cannot be substituted.
If you went to bed early tonight, you might feel better tomorrow.














When we talk about mixed conditionals, we are referring to conditional sentences that combine two different types of conditional patterns. These combinations are not all that frequent, but the most common combination is when we have a type 3 conditional in the if-clause (if + past perfect) followed by a type 2 conditional (would + infinitive) in the main clause.

Mixed third / second conditional

With this combination we are contrasting an imagined or real event in the past with the present result of that. Consider these examples:
 If he'd taken the medication as prescribed, he wouldn't still be lying sick in bed.
 If she'd taken reasonable precautions, she wouldn't be pregnant now.
If he hadn't run after the car thief and suffered a heart attack, he'd probably be alive today.
 Note that we can also convey the same idea of past event and present result by using type 3 conditional (if + past perfect, would've + past participle) in both clauses
 If he'd taken the medication as the doctor ordered, he would've recovered by now.
 If she'd taken reasonable precautions, she wouldn't have got herself pregnant.
 If he hadn't run after the car thief and suffered a heart attack, he wouldn't have collapsed and died.
 Note that we use this type of conditional when we regret past action or inaction.

Mixed second / third conditional

The other possibility, though I think this is less common, is when we have a type 2 conditional in the if-clause (if + past simple) followed by a type 3 conditional (would've + past participle) in the main clause.
 With this combination, we are describing ongoing circumstances in relation to a previous past event. Consider these examples:
 If you weren't such a poor dancer, you would've got a job in the chorus line in that musical.
If you weren't so blind to his faults, you would've realised that he was out to swindle you.
 He's old enough to come home by himself, but can you just see him across the busy road?

First conditional

 if + present simple, will + infinitive:
 If I wait for Jane, I'll be late for school

This is the pattern that we most frequently associate with the first conditional, referring to future possibility or probability. But note that other patterns are also possible: we can have a modal verb, typically can, may or should, in the if-clause or main clause, as well as going to future or present continuous future. Present perfect is also possible in the if-clause. Consider these examples:

If you can't understand the instructions, you'll never be able to assemble the wardrobe.
 If I give you ten pounds, could you get me some wine at the supermarket?
 If you've finished the work I gave you, you may go home now.
 If the weather's good on Sunday, we're going to have a picnic in Hyde Park.
If you're going to write him a cheque, make sure there's enough money in your account to cover it.
 If you're coming clubbing with us tonight, you'd better get ready now.
 In this final example, note that had better is not a past tense. It refers to the immediate future and we use it to give strong advice as the preferred alternative to must, ought to or should.

if you should… / if you happen to…
 Note that we use should in the if-clause in the first conditional if we want to suggest that something is very unlikely. We can use happen to in a similar way or even combine them:
If you should / happen to change your mind about coming to the beach tomorrow, give me a ring.
 I don't expect him to, but if he should happen to show up, whatever you do, don't let him in!

Task 7


1.- Tobacco is the leading cause of lung disease.
2.- Smoking is also linked to heart disease, stroke and many kinds of cancer.
3.- So-called light or low-tar cigarettes are no safer.
4.- Smokeless tobacco and cigars also have been linked to cancer.
5.- The World Health Organization estimates that almost five-million people a year die from the effects of smoking.
6.- At current rates of growth, the WHO says tobacco use will kill more than eight-million people a year by 2020.
7.- Studies have found that nicotine can be as powerful as alcohol or cocaine.
8.- Nicotine is a poison.
9.- But it also is the major substance in cigarettes that gives pleasure to smokers.
10.- The body grows to depend on nicotine.
11.- When a former smoker smokes a cigarette, the nicotine reaction may start again, forcing the person to keep smoking.
12.- So experts say it is better not to start smoking and become dependent on nicotine than it is to smoke with the idea of stopping later.

miércoles, 27 de febrero de 2013

Task 6



Task 5


1.- This quiz was written very quickly.
2.- This qui was designed for learners of English as a second lenguage.
3.- That movie has been seen by many people.
4.- The accident happened last Tuesday.
5.- My car was stolen yesterday.
6.- The thieves were caught by the police.
7.- The San Diego Zoo is visited by millions of people every year. 
8.- Housing prices were rising rapidly. Now ther are going down.
9.-The mail was delivered late yesterday.
10.- My car was made in Japan.

1.- The fan was cleaned by the students.
2.- The letter was mailed by Marylin.
3.- The hot-dog was eaten by me.  
4.- The songs were sung so loud.
5.- The ballots have been consisted.
6.- The flowers have been send by a secret person.
7.- The pijama has been used since 2007.
8.- The basketball was played by Alex.
9.- The slippers have been burned by my mom.
10.- The basketball shot was taken by Kobe. 

lunes, 11 de febrero de 2013

Task 4


Your score is: 100%.
You have completed the exercise.
Show questions one by one

1. Many species of wildlife are becoming extinct, __________ the rainforests are being destroyed.
  therefore
  since
  so
  consequently
2. __________ logging provides jobs and profits, the government is reluctant to control it.
  So
  Consequently
  Due to
  Since
3. Hemp can be used to make paper, __________ it could reduce the need for logging.
  therefore
  so
  due to
  because
4. Hemp was grown throughout history __________ its versatility; it can be used to make many different things.
  due to
  because
  since
  as a result
5. Hemp is related to the marijuana plant; __________, it is illegal in many countries.
  so
  because
  due to
  as a result
6. Hemp cannot be used to produce marijuana, __________ its low THC content.
  because
  as
  because of
  consequently
7. Marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco. __________, some people believe it should be legalized.
  So
  Therefore
  Due to
  Because
8. __________ Canada has legalized hemp farming, we can expect to see pulp and paper produced from hemp very soon.
  ?    Therefore
  ?    Due to
  ?    So
  As






Your score is: 100%.
You have completed the exercise.
Show questions one by one

Link the following two sentences using "because":
Hemp is related to the marijuana plant.
It is illegal.
Hemp is illegal because it is related to the marijuana plant.

Link the following sentences using "as a result":
In the last ten years, many BC valleys have been clearcut.
142 species of salmon have become extinct.
In the last ten years, many BC valleys have been clearcut; as a result, 142 species of salmon have become extinct.

Link the following sentences using "since":
Forestry is important to Canada.
It generates a lot of export income.
Forestry is important to Canada since it generates a lot of export income.

Link the following sentences using "therefore":
Some people believe marijuana should be legal.
Marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco.
Marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco; therefore, some people believe marijuana should be legal.

Link the following sentences using "due to" (you will have to change one of the sentences into a noun phrase):
Many species in BC are threatened.
Logging is taking place.
Many species in BC are threatened due to logging.

1.    Karen is rich; ___, her cousin Kate is poor.
a.    therefore
b.    however
c.    otherwise

2.    You'd better take a taxi. ___, you'll arrive late.
a.    Consequently
b.    Furthermore
c.    Otherwise

3.    I enjoy reading this new magazine. ___, it has good articles.
a.    Moreover
b.    Nevertheless
c.    However

4.    Jack wasn't tired. ___, he took a nap.
a.    Otherwise
b.    Hence
c.    Nevertheless

5.    Phil was not thirsty; ___, he drank five glasses of water.
a.    however
b.    moreover
c.    furthermore

6.    The kids didn't study. ___, they failed the course.
a.    Therefore
b.    Nonetheless
c.    Otherwise

7.    The weather was terrible. ___, we decided to delay our trip.
a.    Furthermore
b.    Besides
c.    Therefore

8.    You must buy the tickets; ___, we won't be able to see that play.
a.    otherwise
b.    although
c.    besides

9.    The neighborhood isn't very interesting. I like the house, ___.
a.    moreover
b.    thus
c.    though

10.  We live in the same building; ___, we hardly see each other.
a.    however
b.    therefore
c.    furthermore

11.  He didn't earn enough money. ___, his wife decided to get a job.
a.    Moreover
b.    Therefore
c.    Although

12.  That house isn't big enough for us, and ___, it's too expensive.
a.    furthermore
b.    hence
c.    although

13.  We have plenty of money and workers; ___, we hope to finish the house remodeling soon.
a.    nevertheless
b.    unless
c.    thus

14.  She's extremely rich; ___, she's not snobbish.
a.    hence
b.    however
c.    otherwise

15.  It was a windy and rainy night. ___, I decided to go out.
a.    nevertheless
b.    otherwise
c.    hence