Lesson 2- English for Seniors C1 Monday, 29th September

(Answers to the homework follow the notes)

an adder

a slow worm

He was absolutely legless and couldn’t remember how he got home  (slang – drunk)

I want to become more fluent in English.

I don’t want to lose my English skills.  “looz”

loose – tight

I lost 10kg and my jeans were loose.  “looss”

The dog got loose and ran away.

The teacher gives me a lot of homeworks.

I retired two years ago.

I’ve been retired for two years.   (= how long?)

I’ve been retired since 2023.  (=Since when?)

What do you do? I’m retired.

I am now retired since a few years,   I’ve now been retired for a few years.

I’ve been married for 25 years/ since 2000.

 

 

Discussion

• What has been the highlight of the past week?
• Have you read, heard, or watched anything interesting recently?
• What small thing has made you smile this week?
• What have you done outdoors to enjoy this weather?
• If you could relive one or two days from the past few months, which would they be and why?

 

Uppror  – to revolt

An uprising

To rise up against the employers

They’re demonstrating against the war.

demonstrations

a hedgehog

a porcupine  (USA)

They just went on and on.  (= neg)

Fresh/dried coriander  (cilantro USA)

 

I am watching a really good series on Apple TV at the moment called “Slow Horses”     (see-reez)

Don’t be so serious. I was only joking!

He just pulled down the blind(s).

 

 

Prepositions

Preposition + verb in ”ing” form

He insisted on driving me home.

1. She insisted on telling me there and then.
2. We made short work of finishing the accounts.  The dog made short work of (finishing) its dinner.
3. Don’t pay any attention to what you read in the media.
4. I caught a glimpse of him disappearing around the building.
5. Our little son is really excited about/by/at the thought of going to Disneyworld.
6. The police have carried out a thorough investigation into the incident. The police said they would look into it.
7. He was unable to cope with the job because of ill health.
8. Don’t leave the building without setting the burglar alarm. Don’t leave before calling your brother.
9. The houses in the immediate vicinity of the blast were severely damaged.
10. In the summer, the locals are vastly outnumbered by
11. Can you account for the missing money?
12. He was exempted from service because of his disability.
13. He congratulated us on our anniversary.
14. Don’t disturb him now. He’s engrossed in his studies.
15. That money has been earmarked for the foreign students’ fund.
16. He referred to the letter he had received that morning.
17. I hope you didn’t take offence by/at what I said.
18. I’m not really keen on going there to be honest with you.
19. My grandmother was partial to a glass of sherry after dinner. (= she rather liked it and did it quite frequently)
20. The news conference was brought to an abrupt halt by protestors. The traffic was brought to a standstill by the demonstrators.
21. He was determined to pass the exam.
22. He was intent on passing the exam.
23. Although he sounded convincing, I was a little suspicious of his over-confident manner.
24. The media are an intrusion into people’s privacy.
25. She is in no way to blame for the accident.
26. It took the judges two hours to agree on which story should win the prize.
27. I’m afraid I don’t agree with
28. She finally agreed to his proposal.