Achieve Your Best Year: 2011 Predictions and English Practice

Your Best Year Ever?

Predictions for 2011

Questions:

• TRUE: Futurologists and experts who study New Year's resolutions predict 2011 will be the best year ever for many people.
• TRUE: 2011 will see less poverty…
• FALSE: California will open the world's largest solar plant and several electric cars will go on sale…
• TRUE: Of course, learning English featured high on many people's lists.

Synonyms

1. Experts
2. Several
3. Instead of
4. Featured

Phonetics

Websites, high. 2-/id/. 3-largest.

Use of English

1. The boy is too short to reach the medicine cabinet.
2. Doris apologized for having read the diary.
3. If Bob doesn't look after his health, he will have problems with it.
4. Various gases make up the atmosphere.
5. Somebody must have taken my wallet.
6. What did she hear coming from the kitchen?

Bully for You

Questions: F(1). F(3). F(10). TRUE(12).

Lexicon

1. Banned
2. Encourages
3. Stand up
4. Frightens

Phonetics

Take (makers, game). Needed (decided, directed).

Use of English

• Chocolate is not as healthy as fruit.
• Alice in Wonderland, which was directed by Tim Burton, is a 2010 fantasy adventure film.
• The White Rabbit asked Alice where she lived.
• Mary wished she hadn't eaten so much.
• The new student was greeted by the Headmaster.
• How long did it take him to prepare a lovely cup of hot chocolate?

The Journey

Questions: T(1) F(6). T(8 old). F(11 it)

Lexicon

1. Road
2. Rocky
3. Travelers
4. Waved

Phonetics

Way (days, waited). Three (week). Journey (village).

Use of English

• He was heard shout for help.
• I wish I could play the piano.
• If you take the job, it will be a good idea.
• She invited me to come round for dinner on Saturday.
• Although the animals have very little room to move, they seem quite happy.
• How long did that take?

Higher Education in the US: Costs

Questions: T(4). T(4-5). F(8-9). T(12).

Lexicon

1. Undergraduate
2. To keep in mind
3. Housing
4. Loan

Phonetics

Mouth (about). Heat (eighteen). Short (published, scholarships).

Use of English

• Jennifer Egan, who has won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, is an American novelist.
• Ethan was told not to play football in the garden.
• Unless you study harder, you won't get a scholarship.
• When did you have your air conditioning serviced?
• According to the smoking ban, you mustn't smoke in enclosed public places.
• What did you take from the library yesterday?

Goodbye to Typewriters

Questions: F(1-2). F(4-5 Godrej). T(5-6 supplies) T.(8-9 Godrej).

Lexicon

1. Legions
2. Slumped
3. In stock
4. Heyday

Phonetics

Day (stayed, says). Son (come). Jam (legions).

Use of English

• The red wine which I bought tasted like ink.
• If people didn't burn coal in their homes, the air wouldn't be polluted.
• She may have lost her wallet on the train.
• I am having my car serviced on Monday.
• Despite the fact that he was…
• Whose is this book?