FCE CAMBRIDGE TEST. Speaking

FCE TEST CAMBRIDGE. Speaking (2015)

FCE TEST CAMBRIDGE. Speaking

LESSON. English phrasal verbs (2013)

SPEAKING. MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION - Music and movement

FCE TEST CAMBRIDGE. Speaking

VOCABULARY. SIMILES

as stubborn as a mule                                  = very obstinate, insistent

as light as a feather                                      = very light

as white as a sheet                                        = very pale

drinks like a fish                                           = drinks a lot of alcohol

as deaf as a post                                            = cannot hear at all

sleeps like a log                                             = sleep very well like a baby                     

as blind as a bat                                            = cannot see at all

as good as gold                                              = very well-behaved

works like a dream                                       = works very well

as quick as a flash                                         = very quickly, faster

eats like a horse                                            = eats a lot

THE KNIGHT’S TALE

1. Why did Theseus attack Thebes?

Theseus, the Duke of Athens, decided to attack Thebes in order to defence widow women who asked him for helping and also unseated its king who had murdered their husbands.

2. Where did Theseus put Palamon and Arcite?

Theseus took the two young men prisoner. He took them back to Athens and put them for life in a tall dark tower.

3. Why did Palamon and Arcite quarrel?

The two cousins had a quarrel with each other because they were both in love with the same woman.

4. Why did Arcite return to Athens?

Arcite returned to Athens because a duke from Thebes and a friend of him begged (asked) Theseus to release him from prison.

5. How did Palamon become free?

After seven years locked in the dark tower, Palamon escaped with the help of his friend. He gave the guard a glass of wine with drugs in it that made him sleep. Then Palamon ran away.

6. What did the cousins do in the forest?

Arcite and Palamon began fighting because of Emily. They fought like a lion and a tiger in the forest, until they were standing in a river of blood.

7. Why didn’t Theseus kill Palamon and Arcite?

Theseus didn’t kill them because his daughter and her ladies begged him not to kill them. They were young, handsome men from good families and they deserved to be forgiven.

8. How many knights came to the battle?

There are two hundred knights altogether. Two cousins rode at the head of a hundred knights.

9. Who won the battle?

Arcite and his hundred knights gained the victory.

10. Who married Emily?

Despite the fact that Arcite was who won the battle, Palamon married Emily and lived all the rest of his life with her. Sadly, Arcite died after the fighting. 

GEOFFREY CHAUCER

1. What is Geoffrey Chaucer often called?

Geoffrey Chaucer is often called “the Father of English poetry”, the first great writer in English.

2. When did his connection with the royal court begin?

Geoffrey was connected with the royal court in London in various ways. Firstly, he became a servant in the household of one of the king’s daughters-in-law. Secondly, he served as a soldier in the war in France. Thirdly, he worked in the King’s household and was in contact with the sophisticated society of the court. Fourthly, he married Philippa, a lady-in-waiting (companion) to the Queen with whom he had at least two sons. One of them, Thomas Chaucer, became one of the richest men in England. Therefore, Geoffrey became also closely connected to the powerful family of the Duke of Lancaster and wrote a famous poem on the death of the Duchess.

3. How does Chaucer describe himself?

He describes himself as a man with a modest, simple personality.

4. What are many of this works about?

Many of Chaucer’s works are about love and marriage, in particular about the equality of men and women. Apparently, he also writes some anti-religious stories at the end of The Canterbury Tales.

5. What works did he come into contact with when he was in Italy?

In 1379 he came into contact with the works of Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch. Later on, his works were very influenced by them. For instance, The Canterbury Tales is based upon Boccaccio’s Decameron, a collection of hundred stories told by ten young people.

6. What was his ambition for the English language?

His ambition was to stablish English as a language to write poetry in, in the same way as Dante previously did in Italian language.

7. How much of his original project for The Canterbury Tales did he complete?

The Canterbury Tales has never been completed. Initially, it was a huge project which would have included 120 stories if it had been finished. However, he only wrote twenty four. 

DISCURSIVE ESSAY

Many people believe that the telephone is the faster way to communicate. However, it is not the best because in specific circumstances individuals prefer to use some other form of communication.

One of the main advantages of telephoning is that sometimes you need to contact someone but you do not want to go personally. For instance, asking about some information such as timetables, free estimates and so that. Therefore you save a lot of time avoiding going and back.

On the other hand, there are also a number of disadvantages. In the first place, not everybody has a device to phoning or knows how to handle it. Secondly, if you pretend to make a deal with someone whom you are doing business you should have official documents that confirm it, so telephoning is not a good solution. What is more, some calls would be very expensive depending where you phone or how much time you spend speaking to.

It seems to me that letters are quite special. They usually have fond memories that you want to keep in mind and not forget. Thus, they allow you to re-read at whatever time.

To sum up, telephoning is nowadays the first way form of communication, whereas writing letters is by far an old-fashioned system. Either way both phoning and writing might be used in the appropriate way for what you want to say, whether you are giving displays of affection or talking business.

QUOTES

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

Thomas A. Edison

CARTOONS. Stealing is bad

STORY

It all began when I found an old key at the back of the kitchen cupboard. I was very surprised because I have ever seen it before. In the beginning I was shocked and I did not react, whereas when minutes were passing I gathered my thoughts. I needed to make a plan! As long as I was alone, I should take the opportunity to investigate in this room. It is most likely that the key belongs to a little and antique box! – I thought. I could not spare the time, so I started to check every drawer in order to discover something important.

Unfortunately, I did not have any clue. My expectations and my own confidence lowered. For a moment, I considered abandoning the idea of matching the key, but I have always been persistent and now I could not give up on myself. Finally, I continued with my treasure hunt. Taking into account that there was not any box in the kitchen and also that a new idea pops into my mind, I decided to sniff around my grandmother’s bedroom. I remembered that my grandmother usually hid some belongings in her bedside table. Quickly and silently I went into the bedroom and I opened the door of the furniture and I could see a little wooden box. Immediately, nervous and with shaking hands, I put the key in the lock. I was just opening the box when someone touches my back. Suddenly, I jumped and was afraid of him. This person was my father that woke me up so as to take a tablet to lower the temperature.

ARTICLE

The art of making friends

It is said that a friend in need is a friend indeed. But who you consider is actually your friend?

Generally, during the childhood our circle of friends used to be quite close and limited. Our fellows are other children who live near us and also go to school with us. However, when we become teenagers we start to move away enrolling in different universities and distancing ourselves from the group.

For a time, we feel like knowing new people rapidly. Thus, we take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way going to a student’s parties, speaking with someone in the café or in the library, or even organizing sport teams. In my case, I’ve always been meeting new people. In fact, I’ve firm friends who are always when we need each other. Nevertheless, I consider others like acquaintance because, despite the fact that I meeting them frequently, I don’t have enough confidence in them and I only see them when I do extra activities like dancing, going hiking, and so on.

Have you ever asked yourself how your friends should be? Do you think that they should go along with your opinions? I’m sure that the real friends are the people who we speak our mind. Even in moments when we prefer listen sweet words rather than the harsh reality. After all, that is why we keep our friendship!

INTERVIEW. Stefan Szymanski on the causes of corruption in sport (episode 46)

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DOCUMENTARY. Exercise to Lower Stress and Avoid Alzheimer's Plaque & Tangles

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REPORT. The Benefits of Exercise: Aging, Stress, Alzheimer's, and Dementia

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VOCABULARY. WISH

1. WISH + infinitive

w = want (very formal tense)

Ex. I wish to speak with you, please.

w object + infinitive

   Ex. She does not wish their documents to put away in the drawer.

2. I WISH YOU…

w  wish + two objects (fixed expressions of good wishes)

   Ex. We wish you a Merry Christmas.

3. WISH + that + clause: meaning

w wish = regreat that things are not different in impossible, unlikely or unreal situations (= if)

   Ex. I wish (that) I’d studied Physics rather than Economics.

w Nevertheless, HOPE is used for wishes that seem possible in the future.

   Ex. I hope you have a nice birthday.

4. WISH + that + clause: tenses

w  wish + tense (for present or future meaning)

   Ex. We wish tomorrow was/were bank holiday.

w wish + past perfect (for past meaning)

   Ex. I wish Sarah hadn’t gone to the party.

5. WISH + would

w would = will (for insistence, refusal, willingness, unwillingness to do sth)

   Ex. We wish you would go to Paris in Christmas time.

w = regret, dissatisfaction, irritation

   Ex. I wish he would be in silence.

w wish + sth that could instist or be willing to do things

   Ex. You wish it would stop snowing.

w = order or critical request

   Ex. I wish Peter wouldn’t play video games too often.

6. WISH without would

w wish + sentences that don’t talk about willingness, unwillingness, insistence or refusal

   Ex. She wishes she could overcome her fears.

         I hope they don’t have an accident.

THE MUSIC CORNER

Robbie Williams ft Gary Barlow - Shame (2010)

Robbie Williams ft Gary Barlow - Shame (2010)

Well, there’s three versions of this story mine, yours and then the truth

And we can put it down to circumstance, our childhood, then our youth

Out of some sentimental gain I wanted you to feel my pain,

But it came back return to sender

I read your mind and tried to call,

My tears could fill the Albert Hall,

Is this the sound of sweet surrender?

What a shame we never listened

I told you through the television

And all that went away was the price we paid

People spend a lifetime this way

Oh what a shame

So I got busy throwing everybody underneath the bus

And with your poster 30 foot high at the back of Toys-R-Us

I wrote a letter in my mind

But the words were so unkind

About a man I can’t remember

I don’t recall the reason why,

I must have meant them at the time,

Is this the sound of sweet surrender?

What a shame we never listened…

And that’s how they stay

Oh what a shame

Words come easy, when they’re true (x2)

So I got busy throwing everybody underneath the bus

And with your poster 30 foot high at the back of Toys-R-Us

Now we can put it down to circumstance, our childhood then our youth.

What a shame we never listened…

People spend a lifetime this way

Oh what a shame

Such a shame, what a shame

Oh such a shame, what a shame

Beautiful shame, real shame, and stuff double shame

(shame, shame, shame)

TALES. British Council. My secret team

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/my-secret-team

Can you keep a secret? I had to for a long, long time. My family were all Boxton Town fans, but I supported a different team – Boxton Rovers.

It was very hard being different. I had to be very good at pretending when both teams played each other.

I couldn’t cheer when my team scored. I had to go to the bathroom and celebrate there.

I couldn’t be sad when the other team scored.

I could only have my team’s posters on my bedroom wall when I was alone.

If someone came to my room, I had to be quick to change how it looked.

I had to have a secret wardrobe too. I hid my favourite team’s clothes behind the other team’s.

Birthdays were terrible too. I always got football gifts for the wrong team. But then my life changed.

A billionaire bought both clubs in my town and made one bid team – Boxton United.

Now I can relax and enjoy all the matches with my family. I go to the bathroom a lot less now too.

VIDEO.British Council Word on the street History Scene 2 (LearnEnglish)

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/word-street/history-scene-2


Ashlie and Jay Marie have afternoon tea and Stephen and Tristan take a tour of Elizabeth Tower and listen to a famous bell.

Ashlie: OK. So, what time is it?

Stephen: I don’t know. I don’t have a watch.

Tristan: Ah. It’s almost one o’clock.

Stephen: OK, here’s the plan. Ashlie and Jay Marie, you two are going to go and have afternoon tea. And Tristan, why don’t you and I go up Big Ben?

Tristan: Err, Stephen I don’t think you just ‘go up’ Big Ben.

Stephen: You can if you’ve booked.

Tristan: Brilliant! I’ve always wanted to go up there!

Stephen: OK. And we’ll meet back here later.

Ashlie: Have a good time!

Jay Marie: See you guys! Bye!

Stephen: Bye!

Wow! I can’t wait for this… Wow! Come on, I’ll race you. 31, 32, 33, 34. 35, 36...

98, 99, 100. This is harder than I thought. You all right, Tristan?

Tristan: Stephen! I’m up here! Hurry up, slow coach!

Jay Marie: Oh, this is lovely, Ashlie! I’ve always wanted a traditional English afternoon tea.

Ashlie: Yes, it’s nice, isn’t it? Though we don’t do it every day.

Jay Marie: Really? I thought afternoon tea was a meal for you. Breakfast, lunch, tea?

Ashlie: Well, actually, it’s a bit confusing. Some people call ‘lunch’ ‘dinner’ and ‘dinner’ ‘tea’ but not like afternoon tea like this. And then of course, there’s the tea that you drink.

Jay Marie: Hmm. You’ll have to explain it to me later. This looks delicious.

Stephen: Wow! Look, you can see all the clock faces.

Guide: So here we are now in the clock room. This is called the chime train. It governs the four chime bells, which play the Westminster chimes. We all know the tune: ding dong ding dong. You’re all familiar with that. Well, that’s what’s going to play now.

So here we are. The bells themselves. And that bell there is Big Ben himself.

Tristan: I thought the tower was called Big Ben?

Guide: No, it’s just the name of the bell.

Stephen: Yes, in fact the tower is called the Elizabeth Tower.

Guide: That’s right. And watch out, guys, the bells are going to ring any second now.

Ashlie: Hey, wow! It’s already three o’clock. I bet it’s loud where Stephen is. Let me call him.

Stephen: Hello, Ashlie. I can’t hear you. It’s really loud up here. Oh, that was cool. Can you hear the bells from where you are?

Ashlie: Err, no. Are you having fun?

Stephen: Yeah, the stairs were really hard work but it’s really interesting from up here. Oh, the tour’s moving on. See you later.

Ashlie: OK, Bye… Bye.

Jay Marie: More sandwiches?

Ashlie: Oh, go on then.

Tristan: Stephen, we’re running out of time. We need to head off and meet the girls.

Stephen: OK. Wait a second. There’s just one thing I’ve always wanted to do.

Jay Marie: You guys are so lucky to be living in London. So many beautiful buildings to see.

Ashlie: Yeah, we love it here. I just wish we had more time to enjoy the city, instead of working all the time.

Ashlie: I wonder how Stephen and Tristan are getting on? They should be down by now.

Jay Marie: Hey, Ashlie! What’s that?

Ashlie: Hmm – I'm not sure. Stephen?!

Stephen: Ashlie!!!

20z

VIDEO.British Council. Word on the street History Scene 1

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/word-street/history-scene-1

Ashlie and Stephen take Tristan and his friend Jay Marie on a bus tour of London. Who is the better tour guide?

Ashlie: What’s the time? She should be here by now.

Stephen: It’s five past nine. She’ll be here in a minute.

Ashlie: We’re at Paddington Station with our friend Tristan.

Tristan: Hi.

Ashlie: And we’re waiting for Tristan’s friend Jay Marie to arrive from the airport. She’s just flown in from the States.

Tristan: Here she is! Hi, Jay Marie!

Jay Marie: Hi!

Tristan: Stephen, Ashlie, this is Jay Marie.

Stephen: Hello.

Jay Marie: Hi! I’ve heard so much about you guys. It’s great to meet you. It’s so awesome to be in London.

Ashlie: Ah, great. So are you guys ready for some sightseeing?

Jay Marie: Sure. Sounds cool.

Stephen: OK – let’s drop off your bags, and we’re ready to go.

Jay Marie: Cool!

Ashlie: OK, guys. So we’re going to take a double-decker tour around the city.

Jay Marie: A what?

Ashlie: A double-decker. You know, a bus with two floors. It should be here any minute now.

Stephen: Ah!

Jay Marie: Oh! Oh no, Stephen! I’m so sorry. All over your pants.

Stephen: My pants? No, no, no. It just went on my trousers. I’m fine.

Ashlie: Oh, look. I think that must be our bus coming.

Jay Marie: The one without a roof?

Ashlie: Yeah, so we can see more.

Jay Marie: Oh, great!

Stephen: Come on, let’s jump on.

Tour Guide: All aboard!

Tour Guide: Ladies and gentlemen, to your left is St Paul’s Cathedral...

Jay Marie: I didn’t catch any of that. What did he say?

Tristan: I think he’s talking about that building over there.

Tour Guide: It was on this site that the original St Paul’s was destroyed...

Jay Marie: No. I didn’t get a single word of that.

Stephen: Look, tell you what. I’ve got my guide book here. Why don’t I take over as your personal guide?

Jay Marie: Well, OK!

Stephen: OK, let’s see. Piccadilly Circus. Did you know that Piccadilly Circus was built in 1819 to connect Regent Street and the major shopping street of Piccadilly? The fountain with its famous statue of the Greek god Eros was added in 1893. Piccadilly Circus...

Ashlie: Oh Stephen, that is so boring! Listen, I’ve just looked it up on my phone and here is an interesting fact for you. Did you know that British people say, ‘It’s like Piccadilly Circus’ to mean that somewhere is busy and crowded and full of people?

Jay Marie: Really?

Stephen: Err, Ashlie. I’ve got the guide book. A book for guides!

Ashlie: Whatever, Stephen.

Stephen: Did you know that Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and...

Ashlie: And you know that song ‘London Bridge is falling down, falling down’? Well, most people think it’s about this bridge, but actually it’s about another bridge.

Stephen: And it was painted blue to match the colour of the Queen’s eyes.

Trafalgar Square. Did you know the column is 51.5 metres tall from the ground to the tip of the Admiral's hat? It was built between 1840…

Ashlie: Did you know that one of the statues in the Square changes once a year to a new piece of art? At the moment, it’s that big blue one over there.

Stephen: All right. That’s it! Give me that phone.

Ashlie: Give me that book!

Stephen: Jay Marie! Jay Marie! Who do you want to be your guide? Me with my expert guide book or Ashlie with her stupid internet facts?

Jay Marie: Huh? Well I was just listening to the audio tour. Sorry guys!

Stephen: What? Jay Marie!

COMPARATIVES REVIEW

A. Between two things

1. For a small difference

slightly, a little bit, a tiny bit, marginally (formal),…

2. For a large difference

much, far, miles (informal), considerably (formal),…

3. as + … + as (big or small difference)

Ÿ = two things are equal ð as + adjective + as

Ÿ = two things are not equal ð not as + adjective + as

B. Whether the difference is big or small

5. For small difference

            not quite as

6. For a big difference

            nowhere near, nothing like

7. To express preference

            would sooner + infinitive (to)

            wold rather + infinitive (to)

            rather than + … + prefer to

            would prefer

8. The (double comparatives)

            Ÿ = one thing causes another

                       * The longer…, the less…

                       * The more…, the more…

                       * ...

SERIE. The Mentalist. Lisbon,Jane:"You got the ring?"

BBC Food. The Great British Bake Off. Lemon tart

Delicious crisp pastry with a smooth lemon filling by Mary Berry.
http://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/great-british-bake-off-recipes/classic-lemon-tart


Ingredients: 

PASTRY

• 225g plain flour
• 150g cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 25g icing sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp water
  

LEMON FILLING

• 9 large eggs
• 300ml double cream
• 350g caster sugar
• finely grated zest and juice of 6 large lemons

RECIPE. Beef salad

Ingredients:

Roast beaf, 6 potatoes, beets, tomatoes, lettuce, parsley, mayonnaise

Method:

1. Chop very fine slices of cold roast beef, having first removed all fat.

2. Add six finely chopped cold potatoes.

      3. Add the same quantity of beets, a few slices of tomatoes, a few leaves of lettuce and small.

                                                         4. Add a small bunch of parsley.

                                                         5. Mix thoroughly, and chop all together, until the whole is
                                                         almost reduced to a cream.

                                                         6. Cover with a rich mayonnaise.

                                                         7. Garnish with slices of tomato and lettuce leaves.