Keyboard Symbols and Punctuation Marks

What are these symbols?
Click the answer button to see the answer.

Look at the keys across the top of the computer keyboard.

1. ~ This is called a ___.
   Answertilde

2. ` This is called a ___.
   Answergrave or grave accent

3. ! This is called an ___.
   Answerexclamation mark

4. @ This symbol means ___.
   Answerat

5. # This symbol means ___.
   Answernumber

6. $ This is called a ___.
   Answerdollar sign

7. % This symbol means ___.
   Answerper cent

8. ^ This symbol is called a ___.
   Answercaret or circumflex

9. & This symbol is called an ___ and means ___.
   Answerampersand - and

10. * This symbol is called an ___.
    Answerasterisk

11. ( ) These two marks are called ___.
    Answerparentheses

12. - This is called a ___.
    Answerhyphen

13. + This symbol is called a ___.
    Answerplus sign

14. = This symbol is called an ___.
    Answerequal sign

Look around the computer keyboard.

1. { } These marks are called ___.
   Answerbraces

2. [ ] These marks are called ___.
   Answerbrackets

3. : This is called a ___.
   Answercolon

4. ; This is called a ___.
   Answersemicolon

5. " " These marks are called ___.
   Answerquotation marks or quotes

6. " " In British English, these marks are called ___.
   Answerinverted commas

7. ' This is called an ___.
   Answerapostrophe

8. , This is called a ___.
   Answercomma

9. . This is called a ___.
   Answerperiod

10. . In British English, this is called a ___.
    Answerfull stop

11. ... Three periods together are called an ___.
    Answerellipsis

12. ? This is called a ___.
    Answerquestion mark

13. / This is called a ___.
    Answerforward slash or virgule

14. \ This is called a ___.
    Answerback slash

15. < > These marks are called ___.
    Answerangle brackets

(C) 1999 Nevitt Reagan

One Word... 2 Meanings

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. I'm taking a Japanese ___ at the moment.
   I'm going to have fish for my main ___.
   Answercourse

2. He wrote her a ___ before he left.
   She found the top ___ difficult to sing.
   Answernote

3. It's hot so let's sit in the ___.
   That ___ of red doesn't suit her.
   Answershade

4. She packed a ___ for the ocean voyage.
   We sat on a fallen tree ___ to rest.
   Answertrunk

5. He gave her a beautiful diamond ___ for her birthday.
   ___ me later. I'll be home in an hour.
   Answerring

6. The ___ look bright tonight.
   Lots of movie ___ live in Hollywood.
   Answerstars

7. He sat on the river ___ to fish.
   I must go to the ___ to get some cash.
   Answerbank

8. The new ___ of the department is a woman.
   He's got a smart ___ on his shoulders.
   Answerhead

9. We always eat there so let's go somewhere else for a ___.
   Can you ___ this money into coins?
   Answerchange

10. He ___ the ball with one hand.
    The house ___ fire when the cigarette fell from the ashtray.
    Answercaught

(C) 1998 by Letitia Bradley

Assorted Grammar Quiz

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. I want ___ , please.
   a dozen eggs
   a dozen of eggs
   Answera dozen eggs
2. He was really strange. He didn't talk to ___ in his class.
   nobody
   anybody
   Answeranybody
3. Please give him ___ chance.
   the other
   another
   Answeranother
4. Being considerate means thinking about ___ not only about yourself.
   others
   the others
   Answerothers
5. Please turn off the lights. I have to develop this film and it's ___ here.
   bright enough
   too bright
   Answertoo bright
6. You shouldn't take ___ luggage. You'll stay there for only two days.
   too much
   too many
   Answertoo much
7. ___ he studies, ___ he seems to know.
   The more/ the less
   The most / the least
   AnswerThe more/ the less
8. I have been studying ___ I can to learn English.
   so hard as
   as hard as
   Answeras hard as
9. They finally decided to buy a ___ car.
   four-doors
   four-door
   Answerfour-door
10. ___ cheats on the test will be caught sooner or later.
    Whatever
    Whoever
    AnswerWhoever
11. He said he had done it, ___ was not true.
    which
    what
    Answerwhich
12. ___ did you give it?
    To whom
    To who
    AnswerTo whom
13. I wasn't there and ___.
    neither was Mary
    Mary was neither
    Answerneither was Mary
14. I haven't finished the homework and my brother hasn't ___.
    neither
    either
    Answereither
15. ___ ? He's tall and thin.
    What's he like?
    How is he?
    AnswerWhat's he like?
16. ___ it regularly takes a lot of will power.
    Doing
    Do
    AnswerDoing
17. No news ___ good news.
    are
    is
    Answeris
18. Students won't be able to take notes if the teacher ___ fast.
    speaks
    will speak
    Answerspeaks
19. She's looking forward to ___ her husband's parents.
    meet
    meeting
    Answermeeting
20. I used to ___ a lot when I was in college.
    smoke
    smoking
    Answersmoke
21. He told me ___ there.
    not to go
    to not go
    Answernot to go
22. She ___ for the doctor for two hours.
    has been waiting
    has being waiting
    Answerhas been waiting
23. Seldom ___ such an intelligent man.
    I have talked to
    have I talked to
    Answerhave I talked to
24. A small number of visitors ___ to come to the meeting.
    is expected
    are expected
    Answerare expected
25. The boss insists ___ here on time.
    that you are
    that you be
    Answerthat you be
26. You ___ the truth then.
    should have told
    should to have told
    Answershould have told
27. You ___ kill animals; it's cruel and unlawful.
    don't have to
    mustn't
    Answermustn't
28. Look how wet the ground is. It ___ last night.
    must have rained
    should have rained
    Answermust have rained
29. John wishes he ___ taller so he could play basketball.
    were
    had been
    Answerwere
30. She doesn't remember ___.
    who the author of this book is
    who is the author of this book
    Answerwho the author of this book is

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Word Groups

Which word doesn't fit the group?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Bondage
   Foolproof
   Enormity
   Wisdom
   Answer Foolproof - adjectiveNOTE: Bondage; Wisdom; Enormity - nouns
2. Dispose
   Lighten
   Theft
   Recollect
   Answer Theft - nounNOTE: Dispose; Lighten; Recollect - verbs
3. This
   Those
   There
   Answer There - adverbNOTE: This; Those - pronouns
4. Nourish
   Fretful
   Outrageous
   Queasy
   Answer Nourish - verbNOTE: Queasy; Fretful; Outrageous - adjectives
5. Within
   Among
   Per
   Although
   Answer Although - conjunctionNOTE: Within; Among; Per - prepositions
6. A
   Him
   The
   Answer Him - pronounNOTE: A; The - articles
7. Always
   Someone
   Somewhat
   Ever
   Answer Someone - pronounNOTE: Always; Ever; Somewhat - adverbs
8. Anybody
   Me
   She
   Anywhere
   Answer Anywhere - adverb NOTE: Anybody; Me; She - pronouns
9. Or
   Because
   Nor
   Afterwards
   Answer Afterwards - adverbNOTE: Or; Because; Nor - conjunctions
10. Oh
    Ouch
    Ours
    Wow
    Answer Ours - pronounNOTE: Oh; Ouch; Wow - interjections

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Make or Do?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. I don't know why he's not ___ progress with his English.
   doing
   making
   Answer making
2. Good students hate ___ spelling mistakes.
   doing
   making
   Answer making
3. She'll have her hair ___ before she goes to the party.
   made
   done
   Answer done
4. Don't ___ so much fuss over having to type the report again.
   do
   make
   Answer make
5. They ___ fun of her because she couldn't pronounce the word correctly.
   did
   made
   Answer made
6. Could you please ___ me a favor?
   make
   do
   Answer do
7. Those two companies don't like to ___ business with each other.
   make
   do
   Answer do
8. It won't ___ her any harm to stay up a little later.
   do
   make
   Answer do
9. They ___ a great effort to get what they wanted.
   made
   did
   Answer made
10. To ___ him justice, we must admit that his intentions were good.
    do
    make
    Answer do
11. After a few drinks, he often ___ a scene in the bar.
    does
    makes
    Answer makes
12. ___ the most of your stay in Paris visiting the famous museums.
    Make
    Do
    Answer Make

(C) 1997 by Vera Mello

Raise or Rise?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

HINTS! raise / raised / raised (transitive verb - The verb requires an OBJECT) rise / rose / risen (intransitive verb - No OBJECT needed)

1. If you have any questions, ___ your hand and I'll try to help you.
   raise
   rise
   Answer raise
2. The student ___ a very good question about the importance of security in the big cities.
   rose
   raised
   Answer raised
3. The sun ___ in the east.
   rises
   raises
   Answer rises
4. Our community ___ money for the victims of the plane accident.
   is rising
   is raising
   Answer is raising
5. He ___ to an important position in the company.
   rose
   raised
   Answer rose
6. She's ___ three children without her husband's financial support.
   raised
   risen
   Answer raised
7. Unemployment ___ quickly in the metropolitan areas.
   is rising
   is raising
   Answer is rising
8. They ___ chicken on their farm.
   rise
   raise
   Answer raise
9. The people decided to ___ up against the new government politics.
   rise
   raise
   Answer rise
10. Don't ___ your voice to me! I'm still your boss.
    rise
    raise
    Answer raise
11. The price of gas ___ by 5%.
    has raised
    has risen
    Answer has risen
12. As the speaker didn't show up, I ___ to the occasion and made the speech.
    raised
    rose
    Answer rose

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Lie or Lay?

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. He was ___ when he said that he didn't see anyone there.
   lying
   laying
   Answer lying
2. She ___ about her experience in order to get that job.
   lay
   lied
   laid
   Answer lied
3. You'll feel much better if you just ___ down and rest for a while.
   lie
   lay
   Answer lie
4. He ___ the books on the table.
   lied
   lay
   laid
   Answer laid
5. The hens aren't ___ any eggs this week.
   lying
   laying
   Answer laying
6. Why did they ___ so many employees off at that company last year ?
   lay
   lie
   Answer lay
7. He___ a serious charge against his employer.
   has lied
   has laid
   has lain
   Answer has laid
8. What I did ___ heavily on my conscience ever since.
   has lain
   has laid
   has lied
   Answer has lain
9. The solution ___ with you.
   lies
   lays
   Answer lies

Remember lie, lied, lied ( tell a lie)lie, lay, lainlay, laid, laid

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Miscellaneous Grammar Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. In the sentence, "You may be wrong, but you may be right." May mean:
   a. ability
   b. permission
   c. possibility
   Answerc

2. In which of the statements does "must" express necessity?
   a. There's somebody in the other office. It must be my boss!
   b. You mustn't smoke here!
   c. I must go right now!
   Answerc

3. In which of the sentences can "since" be replaced by because?
   a. I have enjoyed science since I was a child,
   b. I am interested in this article since I like science,
   c. I've been studying science since 1988.
   Answerb

4. Choose the alternative in which "while" is being used to express a contrast.
   a. While the machines are working, let's have some coffee.
   b. I usually take a shower while my mom is preparing breakfast.
   c. My dad is a dreamer, while my mom is too realistic.
   Answerc

5. Choose the correct statement.
   a. Many people have computer phobia, that generates more unemployment.
   b. Many people have computer phobia, which generates more unemployment.
   c. Many people have computer phobia, what generates more unemployment.
   Answerb

6. "I'm a person ___ technical knowledge of computer will impress anyone."
   a. who
   b. which
   c. whose
   Answerc

7. The Internet, ___ is the fastest means of communication, will be available for most people very soon.
   a. which
   b. that
   c. X
   Answera

8. Which is the best sentence?
   a. I've smoked, but I don't anymore.
   b. I used to smoke, but I don't anymore.
   c. I smoked, but I don't anymore.
   Answerb

Copyright 1998 by Lucimara Mello

Bits and Pieces

Vocabulary Quiz

Read the sentences and choose the best alternative.
Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. What do people sing at Christmas?
   a. carols
   b. lullabies
   c. lyrics
   AnswerA

2. Which word does not mean lovely?
   a. pleasant
   b. amusing
   c. faithful
   AnswerC

3. Who offers a house or an apartment for rent?
   a. a landlady
   b. a charwoman
   c. a tenant
   AnswerA

4. What do you put on the finger to protect it while sewing?
   a. a thumb
   b. a thimble
   c. a thorn
   AnswerB

5. Who sees that the rules are obeyed in a baseball game?
   a. a judge
   b. a referee
   c. an umpire
   AnswerC

6. What word does not refer to babies?
   a. pacifier
   b. milkweed
   c. cradle
   AnswerB

7. Which word completes the proverb: "Every _____has its day."
   a. tiger
   b. dog
   c. horse
   AnswerB

8. Which word does not mean dismal?
   a. queasy
   b. lugubrious
   c. gloomy AnswerA

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Troublesome Words

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Don't be too severe on that student; he's very ___ .
   sensible
   sensitive
   Answersensitive

2. I think I ___ my car keys in the office.
   forgot
   left
   Answerleft

3. He knows it's not ___ to spit on the floor.
   polite
   educated
   Answerpolite

4. She receives an average weekly ___ of US$100.
   wage
   salary
   Answerwage

5. It's advisable to ask someone who is ___ to judge the matter.
   disinterested
   uninterested
   Answerdisinterested

6. The ___ in our school is to punish students caught cheating on exams.
   policy
   politics
   Answerpolicy

7. Can you ___ me 5 bucks until tomorrow ?
   borrow
   lend
   Answerlend

8. He's been participating in competitions ___ a professional for a year.
   as
   like
   Answeras

9. I arrived late at the conference and ___ the speaker's introductory remarks .
   missed
   lost
   Answermissed

10. John and Becky ___ vows of eternal love.
    exchange
    change
    Answerexchange

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

L or R?

L & R Minimal Pair Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Turn ___ at the next corner.
   a. light
   b. wright
   c. right
   d. write
   Answerc
2. When you turned left, you took the ___ decision.
   a. light
   b. wright
   c. right
   d. write
   Answerc
3. The donkey ___ them down the mountain path.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answera
4. The ___ sunset lasted over thirty minutes.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerc
5. Avoid cooking with utensils made from aluminum or ___.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerd
6. Sam ___ the newspaper after dinner last night.
   a. led
   b. read
   c. red
   d. lead
   Answerb
7. A clarinet is a ___ instrument.
   a. lead
   b. read
   c. reed
   Answerc
8. May I ___ my book while I eat?
   a. lead
   b. read
   c. reed
   Answerb
9. Anthropologists are looking for the missing ___ between ape and man.
   a. link
   b. rink
   Answera
10. How many ___ are there in the chain you are wearing?
    a. lynx
    b. rinks
    c. links
    Answerc
11. How many hockey ___ are there in you community?
    a. lynx
    b. rinks
    c. links
    Answerb
12. Cloth stretched too tight ___ easily.
    a. lips
    b. rips
    Answerb
13. A canoe is a ___ speed boat.
    a. low
    b. row
    Answera
14. A ___boat is not a high speed boat.
    a. low
    b. row
    Answerb
15. During the autumn it is necessary to ___ the leaves from the lawn daily
    a. lake
    b. rake
    Answerb
16. The ___ once had pure water but now many of the fish are dying.
    a. lake
    b. rake
    Answera
17. A ___ is larger than a stream.
    a. river
    b. liver
    Answera
18. I ___ about my age. I am not 29. I am 41.
    a. lied
    b. ride
    Answera
19. No matter what my age, I love to ___ on the rollercoaster.
    a. lied
    b. ride
    Answerb

(C) 1998 Donna Tatsuki

Connecting Words

Choose the connecting word that completes the
sentences meaningfully. Then check your answer.

1. I don't know ___ you want to meet that lady. She's such a snob.
   that
   why
   when
   Answerwhy
2. He looks ___ he were sick.
   even if
   even though
   as if, as though
   Answeras if, as though

He asked ___ he could smoke a cigarette.
whether, if
what
that
Answerwhether, if

He insists ___ I be there.
if
that
as if
Answerthat

He punished the little boy ___ put salt in his coffee.
who
which
whenever
Answerwho, that

It was raining hard ___ we left the office.
where
when
although
Answerwhen

He'll have the work done ___ that you arrive.
when
after
by the time
Answerby the time

___ I was saying, how many of you want to attend the conference?
As
So
For
AnswerAs

He must be rich, ___ he spends a lot of money on gifts for his girlfriend.
but
for
in order to
Answerfor

We have been having problems with the heater ___ we bought it.
when
while
since
Answersince

___ he said did not please us.
That
Which
What
AnswerWhat

I liked the car, ___ I bought it.
so
for
even so
Answerso

The picture ___ is hanging over my bed was painted by an art student.
which
who
whom
Answerthat, which

Her parents will be very happy ___ she passes with flying colors.
so that
if
though
Answerif

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Active Voice? Passive Voice?

Active or Passive Voice

Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.

1. Everybody ___ by the news of his death.
   shocked
   was shocked
   Answer was shocked
2. Mr. Green ___ at the University since 1989.
   has been teaching
   has been taught
   Answer has been teaching
3. Not much ___ about the accident since that time.
   has said
   has been said
   Answer has been said
4. A new book ___ by that company next year.
   will publish
   will be published
   Answer will be published
5. He ___ the girl's name now.
   remembers
   is remembered
   Answer remembers
6. The secretary ___ to her new boss yesterday.
   introduced
   was introduced
   Answer was introduced
7. Our plan ___ by the members of the committee.
   is being considered
   is considered
   Answer is being considered
8. He ___ responsible for the accident.
   was holding
   was held
   Answer was held
9. A prize ___ to whoever solves this equation.
   will be giving
   will be given
   Answer will be given
10. When the manager arrived, the problem ___ .
    had already been solved.
    had already solved.
    Answer had already been solved

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

All miners are saved

One by one the miners who had been trapped underground for more than two months in Chile ascended to the surface, ending their subterranean captivity. The world watched, their nation cheered, their families wept.

Today, we invite you to watch this CNN 10-minute report on the rescued miners.

Enjoy, and celebrate life!

Transcription to the report.

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

The "Mother" Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. ___ is the mother of good luck.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Arrogance
   Answera

2. ___ is the mother of wisdom.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Necessity
   Answerb

3. ___ is the mother of invention.
   a. Diligence
   b. Experience
   c. Intelligence
   d. Necessity
   Answerd

4. He that would the ___ win, must with the mother first begin.
   a. battle
   b. argument
   c. lottery
   d. daughter
   Answerd

5. "Like mother, like daughter" means ___.
   a. If you admire the mother you will also admire the daughter.
   b. Daughters tend to do the same things as their mothers.
   Answerb

6. "Tied to one's mother's apron strings" means ___.
   a. A person likes cooking.
   b. A person has a fetish for his or her mother's clothing.
   c. A person is dependent on his or her mother.
   d. A person has very strict ideas about what is proper behavior.
   Answerc

7. "Every mother's son (of someone)" means ___.
   a. Absolutely everyone with no exception
   b. Anyone who is underage
   c. All who are immature
   d. Anyone who is living at home
   Answera

8. "Old enough to be someone's mother" means ___.
   a. A person is as old as someone's parents (too old for a relationship).
   b. A person is old enough to have children.
   c. A person is well matched emotionally with another person.
   d. A person ought to act more mature.
   Answera

9. Children are the ___ that hold a mother to life. (Sophocles)
   a. stitches
   b. anchors
   c. pillars
   d. glue
   Answerb

10. Every beetle is a gazelle in the ___ of its mother. (Moorish Proverb)
    a. mind
    b. view
    c. eyes
    d. heart
    Answerc

11. A ___ son is the heaviness of its mother. (Bible, Proverbs)
    a. foolish
    b. friendly
    c. frank
    d. fiendish
    Answera

12. The ideal mother, like the ideal ___ is fiction.(Milton B. Sapirstein, Paradoxes of Everyday Life, 1955)
    a. house
    b. job
    c. marriage
    d. vacation
    Answerc

13. A mother is glad to get the loveliest child ___. (Emerson)
    a. dressed
    b. ready
    c. home
    d. asleep
    Answerd

14. No woman can call herself ___ unless she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be amother. (Margaret Sanger, Parade, Dec.1, 1963)
    a. happy
    b. open
    c. free
    d. modern
    Answerc

15. What mother sings to the cradle goes all the way ___ to the coffin. (Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbsfrom Plymouth Pulpit, 1887)
    a. down
    b. after
    c. on
    d. in
    Answera

16. Who takes the child by the ___ takes the mother by the heart. (Danish Proverb)
    a. storm
    b. hand
    c. shirttails
    d. arm
    Answerb

17. Men are what ___ mothers made them. (Emerson)
    a. some
    b. other
    c. their
    d. many
    Answerc

18. Only mothers can think of the ___ because they give birth to it in their children. (Maxim Gorky)
    a. future
    b. past
    c. present
    d. possible
    Answera

19. Motherly love begins with oneness and ___ to separateness. (Erich Fromm)
    a. ends
    b. leads
    c. results
    d. depends
    Answerb

20. A motherless son is a fish ___low water. (Burmese Proverb)
    a. out
    b. over
    c. in
    d. on
    Answerc

Copyright (C) 1998 by Donna Tatsuki

Helado de Dulce de Leche according to The New York Times

Spring days are coming ahead, and with them the helado de dulce de leche pops back in our lives.

Read what The New York Times thinks of of Argentina's favourite flavours when it comes to ice cream!

Buenos Aires: National Treasure in a Cone

Saludos,
and let's go to your favourite ice cream parlor to grab a cucurucho filled with creamy dulce de leche!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Bits and Pieces

What's the Correct Word Order?

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. a. beautiful
   b. to
   c. lady
   d. what
   e. young
   f. that
   g. happened
   h. ?
   AnswerWhat happened to that beautiful young lady?
2. a. how
   b. us
   c. waiting
   d. has
   e. long
   f. she
   g. been
   h. for
   i. ?
   AnswerHow long has she been waiting for us?
3. a. far
   b. gas
   c. is
   d. the
   e. how
   f. nearest
   g. it
   h. to
   i. station
   j. ?
   AnswerHow far is it to the nearest gas station?
4. a. didn't
   b. our
   c. come
   d. meeting
   e. to
   f. why
   g. you
   h. ?
   AnswerWhy didn't you come to our meeting?
5. a. tonight
   b. you
   c. come
   d. do
   e. guests
   f. how
   g. will
   h. many
   i. know
   j. ?
   AnswerDo you know how many guests will come tonight?
6. a. green
   b. cost
   c. much
   d. that
   e. vase
   f. how
   g. does
   h. Japanese
   i. ?
   AnswerHow much does that green Japanese vase cost?
7. a. I
   b. in
   c. may
   d. this
   e. room
   f. smoke
   g. ?
   AnswerMay I smoke in this room?
8. a. me
   b. you
   c. ride
   d. can
   e. give
   f. a
   g. ?
   AnswerCan you give me a ride?
9. a. break
   b. it
   c. we
   d. should
   e. before
   f. do
   g. coffee
   h. ?
   AnswerShould we do it before coffee break?
10. a. will
    b. here
    c. he
    d. when
    e. be
    f. again
    g. ?
    AnswerWhen will he be here again?

(C) 1998 Vera Mello

Correct or Incorrect use of preposition?

Click the answer button to see whether
the sentence is correct (c) or incorrect (i).

1. She's a very selfish person who doesn't show any consideration for others.
   Answerc
2. On our school the teachers' basic hourly rate was increased by 5%.
   Answeri (in,by)
3. When we said: "the time is over", the young girl glanced quickly on her watch.
   Answeri (at)
4. There's a fine of 25 cents a day at overdue library books.
   Answeri (of,on)
5. In the beginning of his career he had very little success.
   Answeri (at,of)
6. He forgot to consider the rise in the cost of living.
   Answerc
7. This ticket entitles you to a free meal in our new restaurant.
   Answerc
8. Why did the burden to bringing up her two brothers fall on her shoulders?
   Answeri (of)
9. When I came through the customs at the airport, I had to pay duty about an electric knife I had in my luggage.
   Answeri (on,in)
10. The botanist discovered some new specimens of flowers on that island.
    Answerc

(C) 1998 Vera Mello

Homophones - A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning. The words may be spelled the same, such as rose and rose (past tense of "rise"), or differently, such as to, two, and too. Homophones that are spelled the same are also both homographs and homonyms.

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Things are not as they ___.
   a. seam
   b. seem
   Answerb
2. A type of corn is called ___.
   a. maize
   b. maze
   Answera
3. On the ___, he is a nice person.
   a. whole
   b. hole
   Answera
4. He ___ better but he did it anyway.
   a. knew
   b. new
   Answera
5. Always try to buy low and ___ high.
   a. sell
   b. cell
   Answera
6. Didn't you ___ me when I called you?
   a. hear
   b. here
   Answera
7. A rank lower than general is ___.
   a. colonel
   b. kernel
   Answera
8. Do not ___ in the affairs of other.
   a. medal
   b. meddle
   Answerb
9. Do you really ___ the money?
   a. knead
   b. kneed
   c. need
   Answerc
10. During the summer I work as a tour ___.
    a. guide
    b. guyed
    Answera
11. I will have a ___ sandwich on rye bread.
    a. stake
    b. steak
    Answerb
12. I told ___ not to go but he would not listen.
    a. him
    b. hymn
    Answera
13. His car broke down so he called for a ___ truck.
    a. toe
    b. tow
    Answerb
14. If you run a bear will chase and try to ___ you.
    a. mall
    b. maul
    Answerb
15. If you sleep with ___ hair you will catch a cold.
    a. wet
    b. whet
    Answera
16. A vein of gold in a mine is known as the mother ___.
    a. load
    b. lode
    Answerb
17. I want to ___ you for your delicious meal.
    a. complement
    b. compliment
    Answerb
18. He was not ___ to stay up later than 9:00 at night.
    a. allowed
    b. aloud
    Answera
19. My son has ___ 10 centimeters since this past summer.
    a. groan
    b. grown
    Answerb
20. He ___ flowers to his mother on Mother's Day.
    a. cent
    b. scent
    c. sent
    Answerc

(C) 1998 Donna Tatsuki

Grammar Basics

Click the answer button to see the answer. You may need a dictionary in some cases.

1. Beer is the world's best-selling ___ drink.
   a. alcohol
   b. alcoholic
   c. alcohols
   Answerb
2. The process of making beer is called ___ .
   a. beering
   b. brewsing
   c. brewing
   Answerc
3. The first recorded recipe ( ___ on clay tablets) seems to be one for making beer.
   a. write
   b. written
   c. wrote
   Answerb
4. The ___ ingredients used in making beer are malted grains, water, hops, and yeast.
   a. principal
   b. principle
   c. principles
   Answera
5. The most common grain ___ for beer-making is barley, but sometimes wheat, corn, or rice are also added.
   a. use
   b. uses
   c. used
   Answerc
6. Grain is malted by first soaking it in water, then allowing it to sprout, and finally drying it ___ stop the sprouting.
   a. in order to
   b. to order to
   c. into order to
   Answera
7. Hop cones add both flavor and aroma to beer; they are also good ___ .
   a. preserves
   b. preservatives
   c. preservations
   Answerb
8. In a process ___ fermentation, yeast changes sugar from the malted grain into alcohol.
   a. call
   b. calling
   c. called
   Answerc
9. Although the alcohol level in beer ___ ranges from 4-7%, it can go as high as 15%.
   a. usual
   b. unusual
   c. usually
   Answerc
10. The two most ___ styles of beer are lager and ale.
    a. common
    b. commons
    c. commonly
    Answera
11. Lager ___ about 150 years ago, and it is now the most popular style of beer.
    a. has developed
    b. was developed
    c. has been developed
    Answerb
12. However, in recent years, ale has been regaining ___ .
    a. popular
    b. population
    c. popularity
    Answerc
13. One difference between lager and ale ___ the kinds of yeast used in the fermentation process.
    a. lies in
    b. lies at
    c. lies on
    Answera
14. Another difference between these two ___ of beer is the temperature of the fermentation process.
    a. type
    b. types
    c. typicals
    Answerb
15. In addition, lager ___ lighter in color and body than ale.
    a. tends to be
    b. tend to be
    c. tends to have
    Answera
16. Most beer in the United States is made by big breweries, such as Anheuser-Busch and Miller; microbrew or "craft" beer ___ only 5-10% of all beer produced.
    a. account for
    b. accounts for
    c. count for
    Answerb
17. However, the rapid ___ in the number of microbreweries in the past 20 years means that the United States has a wider selection of beer styles than any other country.
    a. increasing
    b. increases
    c. increase
    Answerc
18. In Europe, one of the smallest countries, Belgium, produces the ___ variety of beer styles of all and is sometimes thought of as a "Disneyland" for beer drinkers.
    a. great
    b. greatest
    c. greater
    Answerb

Copyright (C) 1999 Nevitt Reagan

Trapped Chilean miners alive!!

Dear all,

Stripped to their waists and sweating in the heat, unshaven, scrawny and filthy but all, it seemed, optimistic and hearty: the first video footage of the 33 trapped Chilean miners gave hope today to their families waiting above ground. But they all will have to wait until Christmas before they are rescued...

On this report brought to you by Australia's ABC Radio we invite you to work on adjectives and adverbs.

Exercise to be downloaded (answers included)

May you all find this exercise challenging, and useful!

Kind regards,

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas.

CNN Student News

div>Dear people,

CNN Student News is a ten-minute, commercial-free, daily news program for middle and high school students in the US produced by the journalists and educators at CNN. This award-winning show and its companion Web site are available free of charge throughout the school year.

As classes resumed in the US last week, the program is back on the air

On today's show:

* As combat operations come close to an end, what's next for the U.S. forces remaining in Iraq?

* Why are government officials discussing the safety of seafood from the Gulf?

* Should schools adjust their start times to help students get more sleep?

* Explore the answers in this Friday edition of CNN Student News.

* Plus, watch what happens when a group of penguins experience a butterfly effect.

SHOW'S TRANSCRIPTION

May you enjoy the show, and our classes at CUI.

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Thai HIV vaccine reduces infections by a third

Hello everyone!

An HIV vaccine is a hypothetical vaccine against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. As there is no known cure for AIDS, the search for a vaccine has become part of the struggle against the disease.

This week new results have come to light. Today we bring you a report produced by Australia's ABC Radio. May you enjoy it and have fun working on it!

ACTIVITY TO BE DOWNLOADED (answers included)

Have a nice week,

Profesores del CUI

Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat (el programa que permite ver videos de YouTube)

Argentinians in London

Hi there!

A bonus track video clip this weekend! CNN visited a London bar where Argentine fans were watching the World Cup match between Argentina and Greece. Peek inside!
Have a look at Argentinians in London as they enjoy a football match as much as we do... but in English!

Cheers!
Mariano

Nurse Jackie

Dear all,

Nurse Jackie is a comedy that meets drama. The premise of Nurse Jackie is the following: Nurse Jackie, played by Edie Falco, is obviously a nurse in a hospital in New York City. She is hooked on pills (Vicodin) and has a family at home, a husband and two young daughters. She sleeps with a doctor in the hospital in order for him to write her prescriptions to keep up her habit. She has a biting personality, being brutally honest to patients and even hurting those who are disrespectful and undeserving of treatment, yet she does an incredible job as a nurse. She really knows what she's doing, she really cares about her job, and she puts in way too much time to give back to humanity. It's a series that is actually worth watching. In Argentina, it can be watched on STUDIO UNIVERSAL in English with subtitles in Spanish.
Today, we bring you an activity based on the review that Entertainment Weekly's Dalton Ross filed for NY1.

The activity can be downloaded here (answers included).

And this is the video you will need to solve the exercise.

TRAILER TO NURSE JACKIE

Have a nice weekend,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Same-sex Marriage and Adoption

Dear all,
These weeks are rather controversial in Argentina regarding Same-sex Marriage and Adoption. In the USA, a similar process is under way.
In today's entry we invite you to explore, along with CNN, family issues and other aspects of being gay in America. The report looks at gay marriage, adoption issues, the political ramifications and community outreach. Under no circumstances do we want to influence or change your view point on this matter, but we want to share with you all a report that was aired on June 24, 2010.

We have prepared an exercise for you to practice your listening skills (DOWNLOAD HERE), which can be solved by watching the following video.

TRAILER to GAY IN AMERICA

Have a nice weekend,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Shutter Island DVD Review

Hi there!

Shutter Island is a 2010 American psychological mystery-thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film is based on Dennis Lehane's 2003 novel of the same name. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels, who is investigating the psychiatric facility on Shutter Island. The film was released in February 2010, and later released in DVD. This is the review that NY1 (a New York based TV station) aired early this month. We also provide you with the TRANSCRIPTION TO THE CLIP in case there are words that you do not understand. And if you are into thrillers, this is a great one!!!



And this is the spooky trailer!


Enjoy!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

CNN Student News - Loads of activities to improve your listening comprehension skills!

Dear all,
today we bring you a series of activities for you to improve your listening comprehension skills. It's a 10-minute program aired on CNN on May 24th, 2010. So, the pieces of news you'll be working with are relatively recent.
Hope you find the exercises both interesting and useful!

EXERCISE (answers included)




Kind regards,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

2010: Year of the Bicentennial

2010 is an important year of bicentennial celebrations in the Americas. Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico all commemorate 200 years of independence.

Following is the video message and transcript of Secretary Clinton on "Year of the Bicentennial":



This year, people across our hemisphere will celebrate the “Year of the Bicentennial.” Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico are marking 200 years of independence. All of us across the Americas are joining together to honor our shared history and the values of democracy, diversity, and tolerance that form our common heritage.

In the last year, our hemisphere has been challenged -- from Honduras to Haiti to Chile. And our ability to respond to these crises as a community has been tested. But we have met these challenges together, with faith in our institutions, confidence in our values, and compassion for our friends and neighbors.

We must strive to carry that same spirit of cooperation beyond times of crisis in order to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities facing the people of the Americas. There is so much we can learn from each other and so much we can accomplish together. We can encourage broad-based prosperity, champion democracy and human rights, and ensure that every child born in the Americas has the opportunity to fulfill his or her God-given potential.

This “Year of the Bicentennial” is a time to honor our past while we look to the future -- as we continue on our common journey to create better lives for our citizens and even stronger ties between our nations. On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, congratulations and best wishes.

Kim Peek: Video Excerpt

Dear all,
as we continue exploring Kim Peek's intelligence, we want to share with you a video clip featuring Kim Peek.
Hope you find it amazingly fun and interesting. When watching it, you may activate the Closed Captions (CC) on the bottom right of the screen -red button CC-

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

Kim Peek, the man who inspired "Rain Man"

Dear people,
In all your courses, you must have read already, or may be about to do so, about Kim Peek -the man who inspired Rain Man-.

Below you will find an article published on The Telegraph, in the UK.

Enjoy!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

________________________________________

Kim Peek

Kim Peek, who died on December 19 aged 58, was the model for the autistic character Raymond Babbitt in the 1988 film Rain Man, starring Dustin Hoffman.

Hoffman's portrayal of a middle-aged savant's complex interaction with the world through astonishing mental facilities and childlike emotions earned him an Oscar for best actor. But it was Peek, who suffered from Agenesis of Corpus Callosum (a condition similar to autism), whom Hoffman and Barry Morrow – Rain Man's writer, who also won an Oscar – acknowledged as the inspiration behind the performance.

When Hoffman thanked Peek in his Oscar acceptance speech, media interest in Peek's highly unusual abilities was immediate. This prompted Kim and his father, Fran, an advertising executive, to embark on a series of speaking tours throughout America, spreading awareness and acceptance of the "different" and the disabled. The public exposure, in turn, led to pioneering scientific research.

Kim Peek was born on November 11 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah – both his parents were Mormons. Despite his mother's uneventful pregnancy, Kim's head was 30 per cent larger than normal at birth. He was a sluggish baby who cried frequently, and doctors soon discovered that he had a blister inside his skull that had damaged the left hemisphere of his brain, which controls language and motor skills.

By the time he was nine months old he was expected to be mentally impaired for life. His parents were advised to place him in an institution, but they dismissed the idea, deciding to bring him up normally alongside their other son and daughter.

They were soon astounded by his progress. At the age of 16 months Kim taught himself to read children's books. When he was three he consulted a dictionary to clarify the meaning of the word "confidential"; it was then that his parents realised that he could also read newspapers. Yet for all his brilliance, his oversized head required physical support because of its weight; and, unusually, he was unable to walk until he was four.

When Kim was six, a visit to Utah by the renowned brain surgeon Peter Lindstrom resulted in his being offered a lobotomy. His parents declined, and Kim went on to memorise the entire Bible before his seventh birthday.

At this point he was sent to a local school, but was expelled on his first day for being disruptive. The lack of provision in America in the 1950s for special needs children meant that his father had to have him tutored at home by a series of retired teachers. By the time he was 14, Kim had completed the high school curriculum, though the local authorities would not recognise the achievement and refused to award him a certificate.

Before the release of Rain Man – by which time he was 37 – Peek had an insular existence, knowing only about 20 people. Unable to describe his condition, or to dress himself, cook, shave or brush his teeth without help, he was looked after by his mother, Jeanne, until 1981, when his parents divorced. Thereafter his father provided the supervision he required.

At 18 he had been given a job working in the accounts department of a community centre. Spare time was devoted to absorbing literature. He read and immediately memorised thousands of texts, including the complete works of Shakespeare and every story in every volume of the condensed Reader's Digest books.

He used telephone directories for exercises in mental arithmetic, adding each column of seven-digit numbers together in his head until he reached figures in the trillions.

On a rare excursion away from home in 1984, he attended the national conference of the Association of Retarded Citizens in Arlington, Texas, and it was there that he was "discovered" by Barry Morrow. After spending four hours with Peek, the screenwriter approached Fran Peek, asking him if he realised that his son knew every postcode, area code, and road number in every state across America. He urged Fran to share his son with the world.

Not wishing Kim to become part of a freak show, Fran ignored the request. Two years later, however, Morrow contacted him to explain that a film studio had just bought a script he had written.

The story of a selfish yuppie who discovers that an autistic brother he never knew existed has inherited their father's fortune outright, Rain Man put Dustin Hoffman's acting skills to the test in the lead role. To prepare for it he spent time with three autism sufferers, including six hours in the company of Peek. It was Peek's rapid monotone, rocking motions, ability to count cards and childlike emotions that Hoffman copied for the part.

The resemblances between Peek and Raymond Babbitt ended there, however, for Peek was many times more complex and prodigious than his fictional alter ego, despite having the mental reasoning of a child of five. A scene in the film in which Raymond is taken to a casino and beats the house with his astounding skills in mental arithmetic never took place – despite the best efforts of Morrow, who asked Peek to read a book about gambling before taking him to a casino to try the experiment. Peek refused to enter the casino, saying he thought it unethical.

The success of the film had some beneficial effects on Peek's life. He made many friends, and was awarded the high school certificate he had been denied more than 20 years earlier.

Neuroscientists who conducted tests discovered that he had no corpus callosum, the membrane that separates the two hemispheres of the brain and filters information. This meant that Peek's brain was effectively the equivalent of a giant databank, giving him his photographic memory. He was also the only savant known to science who could read two pages of a book simultaneously – one with each eye, regardless of whether it was upside down or sideways on. His ability to retain 98 per cent of the information he absorbed led to his designation "mega-savant"'.

After the release of Rain Man Peek and his father embarked on a series of public lecture tours, informing students, prisoners, pensioners and politicians of the need to treat all people equally. "Learning to recognise and to respect differences in others and treating them like you want them to treat you will bring the joy we all hope for", read the card that was handed out at each talk. Fran Peek estimated that his son addressed more than two million people.

Wishing to avoid accusations that he was taking advantage of his son's condition, Fran Peek never accepted money for these engagements. The talks were also a chance for Kim to demonstrate his extraordinary memory, including his faultless knowledge of the calendar stretching back 2,000 years.

The five universities which studied him in his adult life decided that he was a genius in at least 15 subjects, including music, geography, history and mathematics. Most savants reach a similar level in one or two subjects. Even more remarkably, doctors found that his powers increased as he aged.

In 2004 a Californian hospital which works closely with Nasa persuaded Peek to undergo brain scans in the hope that a detailed map of his mind might allow them to understand more about many disorders, among them vertigo and motion sickness. By tracking the electrical impulses of Peek's brain, they were hoping to discover how people adapt to forces such as acceleration and gravity.

In 1996 Fran Peek published a book about his son, The Real Rain Man: Kim Peek.

Never having any romantic inclinations, Kim Peek did not marry and had no children. His favourite possession was the Oscar which Morrow won for writing the Best Screenplay at the 1989 Oscars. Morrow gave it to Peek, who took it with him whenever he travelled.

Kim Peek died of a heart attack. His father survives him.

CNN - Student News

CNN Student News is a student news program targeted for the classroom that runs at 4:00AM Monday to Friday as part of the cable industry's Cable in the Classroom inititave, as presenter Carl Azuz reports the day's news in a simplified format (stories with graphic imagery or adult themes are usually left out from this newscast). It is not intended for students of English, but for High School students in the USA.

Today, we bring you the program aired on May 3rd, 2010 focusing on these pieces of news:
* Car bomb found in parked SUV
* Gulf Coast Oil Spill
* Mighty Weather conditions
* Arizona Immigration Law

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT HERE



Enjoy the show!!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

The Secret in Their Eyes

Hi everyone!

It goes without saying that most of us in Argentina know what "El secreto de sus ojos" is. Though for most Americans "The Secret in Their Eyes" is just a movie that has come from distant and unknown Argentina. Critics have written strikingly beautiful reviews about Mr. Campanella's movie, and I just want to share with you one of them. Originally published by Los Angeles Times on Friday April 30, 2010. Enjoy this write-up, and also have sneak peek at the Trailer released in the US!



"There's something about a haunting mystery being solved by a haunted mind that's particularly seductive. That's just one of the many pleasures of "The Secret in Their Eyes," whose string of knots challenges and charms in a way that make its win of the foreign-language Oscar this year perfectly understandable.

Argentine writer-director Juan José Campanella has given audiences a beautifully calibrated movie in the most traditional sense of the word — the ideal marriage of topic, talent and tone. It's anchored by the unsolved murder of a young wife that won't let former criminal investigator Ben Espósito (Ricardo Darín) rest easy even after 25 years.

In addition to being one of Argentina's best-known filmmakers, Campanella has earned Emmys here, plus attention for directing episodes of "House," "Law & Order Special Victims Unit" and "30 Rock." He brought all that case-solving and comedy experience to bear in adapting the Eduardo Sacheri novel, interweaving the parallel worlds of the personal and the professional as his central character comes to realize that there is much more in his life to resolve than this single case.

The story begins in Buenos Aires in the '70s with the brutal rape and murder of the 23-year-old wife of Ricardo Morales (Pablo Rago), an ordinary young man with an extraordinary love for his wife and the life they were beginning to build. All these years later, Espósito sets about turning the case into a novel in an effort to answer all that remains unanswered.

As the puzzle of the past unfolds in flashbacks, the present reconnects him with his own lost love, Irene (Soledad Villamil), who was his young boss on the case and is now a respected judge with a family; he is just older and alone. But the spark remains, and Campanella strings a tight wire of crackling dialogue between them packed with all the tension and tease of a couple dancing around the edges of a relationship.

The filmmaker is careful not to overuse their substantial chemistry, sprinkling it through the film like a hot spice as Espósito tries to figure out what clues he overlooked years ago. Another key player in this well-cast ensemble is Espósito's partner Sandoval, a sometimes-brilliant investigator forever sidetracked by his love of booze, played with an amusing blend of ironic pathos by famed Argentine comic Guillermo Francella.

Campanella has been clever in using the blueprint of a cold-case procedural to explore a range of emotional themes from love and obsession to justice and retribution, all cast against a dark time of secret police and political intrigues in his native land. The action is moved along as much by patterns of human behavior as by events, and in doing so the filmmaker has given texture and depth to what could otherwise have become a more conventional thriller.

While Espósito sorts through his second thoughts and reconsiderations of decisions he and others made so long ago, director of photography Félix Monti and the production team work to both connect and separate the eras by keeping much of the focus on the faces and, of course, the eyes. When the camera pulls back to let more in, tension usually comes with it, as when Espósito spots the husband in a train station and learns that he spends his days moving from one station to another, hoping to spot the killer who's never been caught.

Darín is captivating as Espósito, and despite the years etched on the actor's face, he still brings his scenes as a much younger Espósito to life. He is the spine of the film, and it is the strength of the connection he builds with each character in turn — the lost love, the drunken partner, the destroyed husband, the killer — that ultimately makes the film a timepiece of precision and artistry. Like the murder at the heart of this tale, "Secret" is bound to linger in the memory for years."

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times