Get is one of the most common verbs in English. There are more than 280 definitions of the verb get. But don’t worry! You don’t have to memorize all the definitions. You need to learn how to use the most common phrasal verbs and verb phrases.
Adjectives are words that give us details or more information about a noun or a noun phrase. We use them to give an opinion, describe or give information about the size, age, shape, colour, pattern, nationality or origin and material of nouns.
Vocabulary Practice
Level of difficulty:
In English grammar, there is a common order of adjectives that is often used when multiple adjectives are used to describe a noun. The order is generally:
Determiner (such as “a,” “an,” “the”, “some”)
Opinion or observation (such as “beautiful,” “ugly,” “delicious,” “interesting”)
Size (such as “big,” “small,” “tiny,” “large”)
Shape (such as “round,” “square,” “oval,” “rectangular”)
Age (such as “old,” “young,” “ancient,” “new”)
Colour (such as “red,” “blue,” “green,” “yellow”)
Pattern (such as “striped”, “plaid”, “plain:, “dotted”)
Origin or nationality (such as “Italian,” “Mexican,” “Chinese,” “European”)
Material or composition (such as “wooden,” “metallic,” “plastic,” “glass”)
Purpose/ used for or qualifier (such as “wedding,” “working,” “flying,” “exercise”)
For example, in the phrase “a beautiful small round wooden jewelry box,” the word order of adjectives follows this pattern: determiner (“a”), opinion (“beautiful”), size (“small”), shape (“round”), material (“wooden”), purpose/used for (“jewelry”), and box is the noun
determiner
opinion
size
age
shape
colour
pattern
origin
material
used for
noun
an some a
expensive luxurious beautiful
big – small
new – old
long – round
purple – red
striped – –
French German –
silk – wooden
winter sports jewelry
scarf cars box
When there are two or more adjectives of the same category (such as two colours or two sizes), they can be arranged in any order without affecting the meaning of the sentence.
For example, “She wore a long red scarf” and “She wore a red long scarf” mean the same thing.
However, if the adjectives are of different categories, then the order should be maintained according to the standard order of adjectives.
For example, “He bought a small old French car” follows the standard order of adjectives: size (small), age (old), origin (French), and noun (car).
Level of difficulty:
Word Order of Adjectives Exercise
Instructions: This exercise contains ten multiple-choice questions about the order of adjectives. Each question consists of a set of adjectives and three different order options. Choose the option that correctly orders the adjectives based on the standard order of adjectives.
1. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a dress?
a) black, long, silk
b) silk, long, black
c) long, black, silk
2. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a cup?
a) glass, small, white
b) white, small, glass
c) small, white, glass
3. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a car?
a) old, red, Italian
b) Italian, red, old
c) red, old, Italian
4. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a cake?
a) chocolate, small, round
b) round, small, chocolate
c) small, round, chocolate
5. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a house?
a) modern, big, wooden
b) wooden, modern, big
c) big, wooden, modern
6. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a book?
a) new, thick, hardcover
b) hardcover, thick, new
c) thick, new, hardcover
7. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a dog?
a) small, fluffy, white
b) small, white, fluffy
c) fluffy, small, white
8. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a painting?
a) famous, Italian, large
b) large, famous, beautiful
c) beautiful, modern, large
9. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a pair of shoes?
a) black, leather, comfortable
b) comfortable, black, leather
c) black, comfortable, leather
10. What is the correct order for the following adjectives to describe a necklace?
a) white, gold, delicate
b) delicate, white, gold
c) gold, delicate, white
ANSWERS
c, 2. c, 3. a, 4. c, 5. a, 6. a, 7. b, 8. c, 9.b, 10. b
to talk about past experiences when we don’t say when something happened (when the action was finished). Example: I’ve travelled to Brazil many times.
with yet, already, ever, and never. Example: I’ve already finished my homework.
with superlatives and the first, second, the last time, etc. Example: Canada is the most beautiful place I’ve visited.
with non action verbs (= verbs not usually used in the continuous form, for example, be, have, know, like, understand, believe, etc) to say that something started in the past and is still true now. Example: I‘ve known my best friend since we were in high school.
when we say or ask how much/many we have done or how often we have done something up to no (so far). Example: I’ve written 5 essays so far.
We use the present perfect continuous:
with action verbs, to say that an action started in the past and is still happening now. Example: I’ve been writing this article for 2 hours.
this use is common with time expression such as How long …?, for, since, allday/morning/afternoon/evening/ week, etc. Example: I’ve been studying all morning.
for repeated actions especially with the time expression all day, recently. Example: She’s been cleaning her house all day.
for continuous actions that have just finished (but that have present results). Example: I’ve been doing my homework.
Grammar Practice
Level of difficulty:
Speaking Practice
Level of difficulty:
Student A -> Complete the question
Student B -> Answer the question
Flip the tile to check if your dialogue was correct
Repeat the dialogue and ask follow-up questions to get more details
Level of difficulty:
Choose a picture (scroll the arrows <> to see the whole picture)
Discuss the following questions with your partner. Give as many details as you can.
A short story is a piece of fiction that has a limited number of words and a few characters.
Parts of a short story
Title: It summarizes the whole story, or it is related to the main theme. The theme is the central idea or belief in a short story.
Exposition: It is the beginning of the story where you introduce the main characters. It also serves as the introduction to the next part.
Climax: It is the action part where the main characters try to solve the conflict or problem.
Resolution: In this part, the conflict is solved.
Let’s see a short story sample for the B1 Writing test
Useful vocabulary for a short story
Time expressions:
at that moment
as soon as
_____ minutes later
just in time
then
after that
meanwhile
while
one morning in + month
one afternoon in + month
one evening in + month
Adverbs and adverbials to spice up your story
suddenly
in the end
eventually
unexpectedly
right away
nearly
actually
in fact
apparently
gradually
basically
obviously
anyway
all of a sudden
without warning
Finishing your short story
in the end
eventually
finally
luckily
when it was all over
Verb tenses used for short stories
Short stories usually take place in the past, for that reason, the most common narrative tenses you should use for your short story are:
Writing Practice 1
You are going to write a short story about a past mistake you have made.
Plan your story
The following questions can help you make your own story
Where were you?
What were you doing?
What was happening around you?
What surprising thing happened suddenly?
What did you do?
What did you think/ say?
How were you feeling
How did the story end?
Write your story in about 100 – 120 words in the comment section below.
Checklist:
Title: Have you included a title that accurately reflects the content of your story?
Exposition: Have you introduced the characters, setting, and plot of your story in a clear and concise manner?
Action part: Have you included a sequence of events or actions that develop the conflict and engage the reader?
Resolution: Have you provided a satisfactory conclusion to your story that ties up any loose ends and provides a resolution to the conflict?
Adjectives and Adverbs: Have you used descriptive words (adjectives) and words that describe actions (adverbs) to create vivid imagery and convey your story’s mood and tone?
Narrative tenses: Have you used the appropriate narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous) to tell your story consistently and clearly?
Clear ideas: Have you organized your story in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that your ideas are expressed in a clear and concise manner?
If you use this list, you can check that you have included everything you need to in your short story.
This will help you create a story that makes sense and is interesting for people to read. In addition, if you include all the items from the checklist, you will get an EXCELLENT writing score.
Type your story in the “LEAVE A REPLY” textbox and you will receive feedback directly to your email.
I will post your final story after you have received feedback.
Write a short story beginning with one of the sentences below:
Plan the content:
It was midnight when the phone rang.
Alex had been working hard all day and was looking forward to going home.
We had been driving for hours when we saw the sign for a small hotel and decided to stop.
1 Write what happened simply, in about 50 words.
2 Think about how you could improve your story by adding more details. For example, adjectives and adverbs.
3 Think about what tenses you need for each part of the story. For example, how to set the scene, and what significant events happened before the story starts.
Write your story in about 100 – 120 words in the box below.
Checklist:
Title: Have you included a title that accurately reflects the content of your story?
First line: Have you used the given first line from the instructions to begin your story?
Exposition: Have you introduced the characters, setting, and plot of your story in a clear and concise manner?
Action part: Have you included a sequence of events or actions that develop the conflict and engage the reader?
Resolution: Have you provided a satisfactory conclusion to your story that ties up any loose ends and provides a resolution to the conflict?
Adjectives and Adverbs: Have you used descriptive words (adjectives) and words that describe actions (adverbs) to create vivid imagery and convey your story’s mood and tone?
Narrative tenses: Have you used the appropriate narrative tenses (simple past, past continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous) to tell your story consistently and clearly?
Clear ideas: Have you organized your story in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that your ideas are expressed in a clear and concise manner?
If you use this list, you can check that you have included everything you need to in your short story.
This will help you create a story that makes sense and is interesting for people to read. In addition, if you include all the items from the checklist, you will get an EXCELLENT writing score.
Type your story in the “LEAVE A REPLY” textbox and you will receive feedback directly to your email.
I will post your final story after you have received feedback.
Although, though, even though, in spite of, and despite are words that help us connect contrasting ideas clearly and fluently. We use them to introduce a clause in a sentence which is in contrast to another clause in the same sentence.
You already know how to use basic connectors such as so and but. In the example below, but is a contrast connector.
Now, it’s time to learn other connectors that help us communicate more complex ideas.
NOTE: A dependent clause is NOT a full sentence. It is a phrase (group of words) that is incomplete, in other words, it is an incomplete thought. We need to complete the idea by using a connector and an independent clause.
An independent clause is a phrase that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
Time to practice
The best way to improve your English is by practicing. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Remember that practice makes progress.
Reporting verbs are verbs which are used to tell someone what another person said. They are used in reported speech.
Say and tell are the most common reporting verbs. However, there are other reporting verbs that we can use instead of say and tell to communicate our ideas more clearly.
Example:
He said that he would drive me to the airport (this sentence is correct but long)
We can say instead:
He offered to drive me to the airport (this sentence is shorter and absolutely clear)
Common reporting verbs patterns
NOTES:
recommend and suggest are special verbs that can be followed by a “that clause” when we want or need to mention who is the recommendation/ suggestion for.
recommend/ suggest + that + someone + base form
Example:
I suggested watching a horror movie. (suggest + gerund)
If you want to be more specific and want to add information about who is the recommendation for, you can use a “that clause” (noun clause)
I suggested that my friends watch a horror movie.
My friends suggested that I study for the English test tonight.
My teacher recommended that Maria practice speaking with me.
Practice time
Level of difficulty:
Speaking Practice
Level of difficulty:
Student A:
Choose one box
Read the sentence out loud.
Tell your partner the hint.
Student B:
Close your eyes
Listen to your partner
Complete the following sentence: My friend __________________
Example:
Student A: If you stay in a hostel it will be cheaper (Hint: explain)
Student B: My friend explained to me that staying in a hostel would be cheaper.
The past modal of advisability is “should have” and it is used to talk about past actions or events that didn’t happen, but would have been a good idea if they had.
If you are still confused, you can find an easy explanation in your first language 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇹🇷 🇯🇵 👇
We use used to/ didn’t use to + base form to talk about past habits or repeated actions or situations that have changed.
Attention!!!!! used to DOES NOT exist in the simple present (I use to study at night XXXXX). For present habits, we use usually + simple present (I usually study at night)
For action verbs, we can replace used to with the word would.
Example:
When I was a child I used to play video games every day = When I was a child I wouldplay video games every day.
If you are still confused, you can find an easy explanation in your first language 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇹🇷 🇯🇵👇
An essay is a written piece where you can present an idea, propose an argument, express your emotions or initiate a debate.
In an advantages and disadvantages essay your task is to describe the positive and the negative sides of a specific topic. You must include examples and reasons to support your ideas. Sometimes you will also be asked to give your opinion. You can include your personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion of the essay.
The typical structure for an advantages and disadvantages essay is the following:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Start your introduction with a sentence that paraphrases the question you were given
Add a sentence where you include the main ideas that you will talk about
Give your opinion (if required)
Paragraph 2: Advantages
Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the advantages.
Next write a sentence where you explain the advantages.
Finally you explain the consequence or result of advantages by giving an example.
Paragraph 3: Disadvantages
(This paragraph is similar to paragraph 2, but here you will talk about the disadvantages)
Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the disadvantages.
Explain the disadvantages.
Give examples of the disadvantages.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Summarize your ideas
Paraphrase your opinion (if required)
Example:
Advantages and disadvantages of travelingby plane
Nowadays,a lot of people prefer to travel by plane when they go to another country. However, air travel has both pros and drawbacks. Let’s examine some of these here.
One of the main advantages of traveling by plane is that it is much faster than any other form of transport. For example, you can fly from Toronto to New York in 2 hours, whereas by car, it would take more than 7 hours. Another advantage is that flying is more comfortable and less tiring because you can sleep on a long flight. You can also watch movies or read. Finally, it is safer. More people die in car accidents than in the air.
On the other hand, traveling by plane also has some disadvantages. To start with, it can be quite expensive, especially if you want to travel in the comfort of First Class or Business Class. What is more, flights are often delayed, and this means you may have to spend a long time waiting in the airport or miss connecting flights. In addition, you may arrive in New York while your suitcase has gone to Paris.
To sum up, the airplane is a great invention, but it does have some drawbacks. If it was cheaper, it would be better. Still, in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. If we didn’t have planes, it would be very difficult to travel to distant places.
Below there is a template that can help you write your advantages and disadvantages essays.
Template for an advantages and disadvantages essay
Vocabulary Practice
Speaking Practice
Speaking practice
Writing Practice
with your opinion.
Watch the following video to learn more vocabulary to talk about advantages and disadvantages
Teacher Julieta 
Leave a Reply