237. Candle Burning - B1 short story (complete version)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.These are the four comprehension questions to read before you listen to the story.1) What was the first thing Nigel did when he went into the shower?2) What did Nigel decide not to have for breakfast that day?3) Why did Nigel lose his job?4) What reason did the doctor give for Nigel's death?Answers are given at the end of the podcastFor complete transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-237.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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Complex sentences B1, B2 (4 funny jokes)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.Structure SummaryWould like / want / askI would like you to come to a party on SaturdayObject Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on SaturdaySubject + verb + [object = (object pronoun + verb + more information)]I / would like / you to come to a party on Saturday. Other examples:I would like you to come to a meeting on Monday to discuss the terms of the contract. My parents want me to go on holiday with them this summer. You asked me to tell you about the football match.Make(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)She makes me smileSubject: She.Verb: makesObject: me – the direct object of makesComplement (Bare Infinitive Verb): smile – this is the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to") following the causative verb make.Other examples:She makes me laugh when I'm feeling sad.She always makes me angry!Let(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)Let me know if Monday is suitable for you.You are eighteen now, your parents should let you do what you like!I think you should talk with your parents and try to make them understand how you feel.My parents are afraid of letting me go away by yourself, they still think I'm a baby.HelpHelp (verbs that follow are with or without ‘to’.Please would you help me find something better?Indirect Object: me – the person receiving the help.Bare Infinitive Verb: find – after help, we use the bare infinitive (you can say "help me to find" too.).Other examples:I wanted to help him (to) make some friends.I hope that it will help you (to) keep fit.I hope my advice will help you (to) decide where to go on holiday.This hotel is terrible and I hope you can help me (to) find a better one.For transcripts of jokes see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-236.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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235. Future Perfect B2 (short story)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.LOOKING BACK FROM A POINT IN THE FUTURE - FUTURE PERFECTI have studied / I have been studying English for/since...(from the past to the present)Next September, I will have studied / been studying English for ten years(from the past to a moment in the futureI will have had this car for fifteen years next month.I will have lived / been living in Seville for twenty-five yearsThis summer I will have been working for three years at the car factory.The structure is the same for other verbs that use modal auxiliary verbsI should study nowI should have studied in the past (but I didn't)We call this the perfect infinitive.I could work in the car factoryI could have worked in the car factory (but I didn't)I might buy that sweater I saw in the shop window.I might have bought that sweater I saw in the shop window. (but I didn't)(Georgia on my Mind cover by M.A. Bilbrough)Read the story transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-235.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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234. B2 Time Adverbs
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.These are the B2 time adverbs you should learn for the speaking and writing of the Cambridge FCE exam. Listen for them in the podcast, and decide which I am referring to in the dialogue section at the end of the podcast. (B1 students also invited!)firstly, etc. lastly, (often at the beginning of a sentence)instantly (often at the end of a sentence)temporarily (often at the end of a sentence)currently (often before a verb)sharp (at the end of a time phrase)precisely / exactly (often before a time phrase)increasingly (often before a verb)roughly (often before a time phrase)continuously (often before a verb)constantly (often before a verb)permanently (often at the end of a sentence)gradually (often before a verb)simultaneously (often at the end of a sentence)eventually (often before a verb)seldom (often before a verb)shortly (often at the end of a sentence)To see the transcript of the dialogues, go to my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-234.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
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233. Uses of 'rather' (with dialogue)
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.'Rather' and its usesFORM/USE: 'RATHER THAN' + PHRASEB1Use a specialist book rather than the Internet. A book is more reliable.Take the stairs rather than the lift. It’ll keep you fitter.FORM: 'RATHER THAN' + NON-FINITE CLAUSEB2I’d prefer to go camping rather than stay in a hotel. It’s nice to be out in the fresh air.Rather than sitting around doing nothing, why don’t you go and do some sport. (instead of)I’d rather take the bus than get the car out. FORM: WITH 'RATHER A'ADJECTIVESB2Actually, I’m rather bad/good at playing football. I’ve got two left feet.She lives rather a long way from school, so she’s often late.FORM: WOULD + RATHER + PASTI’d rather + indirect object + past (but it’s not a past)I’d rather you didn’t go to that concert next Saturday. I don’t think it’s suitable.I’d rather you stayed at home and helped with the baby. I’ve got to catch up with some work.See the transcript of the dialogue: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-233.htmAt https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.https://www.practisingenglish.com/My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2Nhttps://amzn.to/33Axu2NBe back soon with another podcast!Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today!
Ireland