Intensifying Adjectives

When describing physical objects you can use a wide variety of adjectives such as: large, big, tiny, minuscule, small, etc. However, when describing nouns that are not physical (e.g. joy, anger, wealth) you need to pay careful attention to the choice of intensifying adjectives.

This feature provides a guide to the use of the most common intensifying adjectives for non-physical nouns.

Absolute / Complete / Total / Utter

Absolute, complete, total and utter are used to express strong feelings, extreme situations, and other events - especially negative experiences.
absolute agony
complete astonishment
total bliss
(an) utter catastrophe
absolute despairtotal
ecstasyutter furya
complete idiotutter
loathingtotal madness

Text Message Abbreviations

Here is a list of sms text message abbreviations for you to learn and use
always ... Alwz
and ... &
any ... NE
are you ... RU
are ... r
Be right back ... BRB
be ... B
before ... B4
boyfriend ... BF
Bye for now ... B4N
come ... cum
come on ... CMON
cutie ... QT
dinner ... DNR
easy ... ez
face to face ... f2f
for ... 4
get a life ... GAL
girlfriend ... GF
great ... GR8
hate ... h8
i see ... I C
late ... l8
later ... l8r
laughing ... Lar-fn
laughing out load ... LOL
mate ... M8
maybe ... mayb
mobile ... mob
night ... nite
nothing ... nufN
please ... PLS
regards ... rgds
right ... rite
see you ... CU
see ... C
sleep ... ZZZ
someone ... some1
speak ... SPK
thanks ... tks
to ... 2
today ... 2day
too ... 2
too late ... 2l8
wait ... w8
what ... wot
what ... wot
why ... y
you ... u
your ... ur

The Functions of Clauses in English

Hi Gangs,
Read through different types of clauses and bring your own exmaple of each type to class on Thursday morning.
_______________________________________________________
The Functions of Clauses

NOUN CLAUSE AS SENTENCE SUBJECT
1. Whatever that woman told you about this case is probably wrong.
2. That Charlie has paid all his bills remains a surprise to all of us.

NOUN CLAUSE AS SENTENCE OBJECT
1. He said whatever was on his mind.
2. Tell your classmates what you plan to do next.

NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION
1. He wrote a book about what he did during the Vietnam War.
2. She was interested in where he went to school.

NOUN CLAUSE AS PREDICATE
1. You are what you eat.
2. The trouble with this plan is that we don't have enough money.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
1. Instructors who read from their old class notes aren't doing their job.
2. The old jalopy in the driveway, which Elmer hasn't driven in years, needs to be towed away.

ADVERB CLAUSE
1. They bravely go where no one else has gone before.
2. I haven't seen my brother since he borrowed all that money from me.
3. Mother will stay with you until you fall asleep.

Aussie Slang of the day

beaut(adjective)
very good or excellent, perhaps even desirable. Generally pronounced bewd or bewdie.

buzz off
(verb)leave

dodgy (adjective) below standard, awkward, suspicious or underhanded. Similar to the American "Cheesy".

entree /ahn-trey/(noun) starter or appetizer in a meal before main course.

loo (noun) toilet

rip off (verb)to cheat


digger (noun) A soldier from the Australia Army who served Turkey during the First World War. So named for their tenacity in "digging in", both literally and emotionally. Australian Diggers are well respected, particularly on ANZAC day.

Apologise Vocabulary

I’m sorry that I didn’t get back to you sooner.
I didn’t realise…
Don’t worry about it…
Never mind
I’m really sorry. I’m afraid…
It doesn’t matter.
I’m sorry about…
I shouldn’t have ….
I can’t believe…
I didn’t mean to …
Forget about it…
I’m sorry for …
I thought…for some reason
Oh, that’s alright.
I had no idea…
No need to apologise.


After “I’m sorry that” we use a clause or a sentence.
After “I’m sorry about” we usually use a noun
After “I’m sorry for” we usually use Verb+ing

Types of collocations + Practice Task

Using collocations will improve your style of written and spoken English, and knowledge of collocations is often tested in examinations such as Cambridge FCE, CAE, CPE and IELTS. Learning correct word combinations will also help you avoid common learner errors.

There are several different types of collocation made from combinations of verb, noun, adjective etc. Some of the most common types are:

Adverb + Adjective: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied)
Adjective + Noun: excruciating pain (NOT excruciating joy)
Noun + Noun: a surge of anger (NOT a rush of anger)
Noun + Verb: lions roar (NOT lions shout)
Verb + Noun: commit suicide (NOT undertake suicide)
Verb + Expression With Preposition: burst into tears (NOT blow up in tears)
Verb + Adverb: wave frantically (NOT wave feverishly)

Here're some more examples and I want you to make your own example for each type and share it with others.

1. adverb + adjective

Invading (to enter forcefully as an enemy) that country was an utterly stupid thing to do.
We entered a richly decorated room.


2. adjective + noun

The doctor ordered him to take regular exercise.
The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.


3. noun + noun
Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 11am.


4. noun + verb

The lion started to roar when it heard the dog barking.
Snow was falling as our plane took off.

5. verb + noun

The prisoner was hanged for committing murder.
I always try to do my homework in the morning, after making my bed.

6. verb + expression with preposition

We had to return home because we had run out of money.
At first her eyes filled with horror, and then she burst into tears.

7. verb + adverb

She placed her keys gently on the table and sat down.
Mary whispered softly in John's ear.


Now, it's your turn. Your examples must be appeared as below,

1. (Adv+adj) Are you fully aware of the implications of your action?
2. (Adj+noun) He was writhing on the ground in excruciating pain.
3. (Noun+noun) Let's give Mr Jones a round of applause.
4. (Noun+verb) The bomb went off when he started the car engine.
5. (Verb+noun) He has been asked to give a presentation about his work.
6. (Verb+expression with preposition)Their behaviour was enough to drive anybody to crime.
7. (Verb+adverb) I vaguely remember that it was growing dark when we left.

Collocations

What is a collocation?

A collocation is two or more words that often go together. These combinations just sound "right" to native English speakers, who use them all the time. On the other hand, other combinations may be unnatural and just sound "wrong". Look at this example:

We often say: completely satisfied (NOT downright satisfied) or fast car (NOT quick car).

Live life, Give life (Organ Donation)

Did you know that one organ donor can save and improve the quality of life of up to 10 other people?
Please share your opinion about organ donation here with others. You can ask the question/s that you've always wondered about here as we've got "Doctor Kelly" to answer your question/s.
Cheers
Michael

Discussion Topic (Graffiti)

Hi everyone,
The links below build your background knowledge about the graffiti and enable you to participate in a group discussion as an active member of your group.

History of graffiti: http://atdp.berkeley.edu/Studentpages/cflores/historygraffiti.html

Graffiti "art or vandalism" : http://www.abc.net.au/overnights/stories/s2152139.htm

Anti-graffiti activities: http://www.gosnells.wa.gov.au/scripts/viewarticle.asp?NID=477

A good message board about graffiti: http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=71&m=345&ps=20&dm=1&pd=3

Graffiti removal techniques: http://www.bayswater.wa.gov.au/scripts/viewarticle.asp?NID=3580

Conditional Clauses

First Conditional: real possibility
We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?
IF
condition
result

present simple
WILL + base verb
If it rains I will stay at home.
Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. It is not raining yet. But the sky is cloudy and you think that it could rain. We use the present simple tense to talk about the possible future condition. We use WILL + base verb to talk about the possible future result. The important thing about the first conditional is that there is a real possibility that the condition will happen. Here are some more examples (do you remember the two basic structures: [IF condition result] and [result IF condition]?):
IF condition result

present simple
WILL + base verb
If I see Mary I will tell her.
If Tara is free tomorrow he will invite her.
If they do not pass their exam
their teacher will be sad.
If it rains tomorrow
will you stay at home?

condition
WILL + base verb

present simple
I will tell Mary
if I see her.
He will invite Tara
if she is free tomorrow.
Their teacher will be sad
if they do not pass their exam.
Will you stay at home
if it rains tomorrow?
What will you do
if it rains tomorrow?


Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream
The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition in the future, and the result of this condition. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, you do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No! No lottery ticket, no win! But maybe you will buy a lottery ticket in the future. So you can think about winning in the future, like a dream. It's not very real, but it's still possible.
IF condition result

past simple
WOULD + base verb
If I won the lottery I would buy a car.
Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. We use the past simple tense to talk about the future condition. We use WOULD + base verb to talk about the future result. The important thing about the second conditional is that there is an unreal possibility that the condition will happen.
Here are some more examples:
IF condition
result

past simple WOULD + base verb
If I married Mary I would be happy.
If Ram became rich she would marry him.

Sometimes, we use should, could or might instead of would, for example: If I won a million dollars, I could stop working.


Third Conditional: no possibility

The first conditional and second conditionals talk about the future. With the third conditional we talk about the past. We talk about a condition in the past that did not happen. That is why there is no possibility for this condition. The third conditional is also like a dream, but with no possibility of the dream coming true.
Last week you bought a lottery ticket. But you did not win. :-(
condition
result

Past Perfect
WOULD HAVE + Past Participle
If I had won the lottery I would have bought a car.
Notice that we are thinking about an impossible past condition. You did not win the lottery. So the condition was not true, and that particular condition can never be true because it is finished. We use the past perfect tense to talk about the impossible past condition. We use WOULD HAVE + past participle to talk about the impossible past result. The important thing about the third conditional is that both the condition and result are impossible now.
Sometimes, we use should have, could have, might have instead of would have, for example: If you had bought a lottery ticket, you might have won.
Look at some more examples in the tables below:
IF
condition
result

past perfect

WOULD HAVE + past participle
If I had seen Mary I would have told her.
If Tara had been free yesterday I would have invited her.

past perfect
I would have told Mary if I had seen her.
I would have invited Tara if she had been free yesterday.

Zero Conditional: certainty

We use the so-called zero conditional when the result of the condition is always true, like a scientific fact.
Take some ice. Put it in a saucepan. Heat the saucepan. What happens? The ice melts (it becomes water). You would be surprised if it did not.
IF
condition
result

present simple
present simple
If you heat ice it melts.
Notice that we are thinking about a result that is always true for this condition. The result of the condition is an absolute certainty. We are not thinking about the future or the past, or even the present. We are thinking about a simple fact. We use the present simple tense to talk about the condition. We also use the present simple tense to talk about the result. The important thing about the zero conditional is that the condition always has the same result.
We can also use when instead of if, for example: When I get up late I miss my bus.
Look at some more examples in the tables below:
IF
condition
result

present simple
present simple
If I miss the 8 o'clock bus I am late for work.
If I am late for work my boss gets angry.
If people don't eat they get hungry.
If you heat ice does it melt?

Most common names in English

Hi gangs,
I want you to add the first 100 common names in English to our blog. Boys/Girls

Brisbane's Art Gallery Photos

ANZAC Day

EACH and every year we honour the Anzac spirit. For the last 94 years, young and old have come together at commemoration services around the country, to remember those brave soldiers who gave their lives so we could live ours. We've compiled a list of major services for south-east Queensland, incorporating Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast, so you can honour the Anzac Spirit.The ANZAC SpiritOn the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corp troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during what we call the First World War. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed that morning while fighting for their country. From the bloodshed, pain and sorrow, the ANZAC legend was born that day.We call this day Anzac Day. It's a chance for both nations, Australia and New Zealand, to pause and remember all the soldiers that fought and died not only in WWI but in all wars. At ceremonies across the nation, The Ode is recited at dawn ANZAC Day services. It originated from a poem called For the Fallen, written by the English poet Laurence Binyon. This verse has been used to commemorate ANZAC Day at services in Australia since 1921.ANZAC Day CeremoniesWHEN the ANZAC soldiers first landed on the shores of Gallipoli the soft glow of dawn was the only light troops had. Although it made vision difficult, it was considered the best time to launch an attack. It was in those peaceful moments, before full light, that soldiers felt at most ease. In honour of these men, Australians and New Zealanders alike remember these men; for their courage, bravery and their sacrifice.After hymns are recited and the ode is read, wreaths of red poppies are usually laid beside the names of relatives who were killed in wars. Layer upon layers of wreaths are often left at the end of each Anzac Day in a show of respect for fallen diggers.


ANZAC Biscuits
There are a few theories on the origins of ANZAC biscuits (or ANZAC Cookies for Americans) but it is certain that they came about during the First World War, around 1914/15.

Some say that they started as biscuits made by the Troops in the trenches with provisions they had at hand to relieve the boredom of their battle rations. And some say they came about due to resourceful of the women on the "home front" in an endeavour to make a treat for their loved ones that would survive the long journey by post to the war front.
There is even the suggestion that they originated from Scottish Oatmeal Cakes which is entirely possible. Whatever the origin, they have won the hearts of all Aussies the globe over as the pseudo National Biscuit.
And here is how to make them, it is dead simple. If I can make them, anyone can!
Ingredients
· 1 cup plain flour
· 1 cup rolled oats (regular oatmeal) uncooked
· 1 cup desiccated coconut
· 1 cup brown sugar
· 1/2 cup butter
· 2 tbsp golden syrup (or honey)
· 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
· 2 tbsp boiling water
Method
· Combine the flour (sifted), oats, coconut and sugar in a bowl.
· Melt the butter and Golden Syrup (or honey) in a saucepan over a low heat..
· Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the water and add to the butter and Golden Syrup.
· Pour the liquids into the dry ingredients and mix well.
· Spoon dollops of mixture, about the size of a walnut shell, onto a greased tin leaving as much space again between dollops to allow for spreading.
· Bake in a moderate oven, 180C / 350F, for 15-20 minutes.
· Cool on a wire rack and seal in airtight containers.
Tips
· The American tablespoon is a little smaller than the British tablespoon, so be generous with your Golden Syrup (or Honey) and Water.
· If you have any thoughts of keeping the biscuits for any length of time I suggest you keep them in a padlocked container!
For a little variety you may wish to add 2 teaspoons of ginger spice or even Wattle Seeds, a recent addition but don't ask me where to get them.
Mmmm, ANZAC Biscuits.

Conversation 1

CONVERSATIONAL VOCABULARY

STARTING A CONVERSATION
- Anything interesting in the newspaper today? (Good but can give a yes / no answer)
- Did you have a good weekend? (Good, but is a closed question, with a yes/no answer)
- Ah, reading the stars, hey. So what do you think about astrology?
- Hi. You having lunch?
- What are you eating? It smells delicious.

KEEPING A CONVERSATION GOING Open (vs closed) questions AND
ASKING FOR YOUR PARTNER’S OPINION
- What are the headlines / top stories today? (Better question as responder must explain)
- What was your weekend like? (Good wh question: this requires an explanation and so keeps
the conversation going)
- So what movie did you see?
- What’s the book about that you’re reading?
- What did you think of … (the World Cup match last night)?
- What do you think about... (banning smoking)?
- What’s your opinion of… (the new citizenship rules)?
- How do you feel about…(exercising everyday)?

EXPRESSING AN OPINION (don’t forget to say WHY)
- I think / believe... (smoking should be banned in public places because…).
- I feel… (the new citizenship rules are unfair because...).
- I don’t think/ believe…(that ghosts exist as…).
- In my opinion…(money is important but it’s not the only important thing. For example, …).
- If you ask me… (all spectator sport is boring. It’s much better if…).

AGREEING (don’t forget to say WHY)
Yeah, I agree that/with you that…(school uniforms are a good idea, because…).
Yeah, I think so… (because movies are so violent these days).
That’s right… (people should be free to live the way they choose).

DISAGREEING (don’t forget to say WHY)
- I disagree... (that school uniforms are a good idea. Clothes are a way of expressing identity).
- I don’t agree... (with banning smoking because…).
- I totally disagree…(that you shouldn’t be fines for littering because…)
- No offence but… (it just doesn’t make sense to me).

ENDING A CONVERSATION Say you’re going and say why.
- Ok, well, I guess I’d better go, I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes.
- Better go, I have to cook dinner.
- I suppose I’d better be off. I want to get to the shops before they close.
- Look at the time! I’ve got a dental appointment at 3pm.
- I’d better run, I have to pick up the kids.

Report

A report tells us about something. It's about people, places or things. It is not about ourselves. Reports have different ports. These are called stages. Reports usually have a heading, an opening statement and then a description. Look at the following report about Sydney Opera House and then write a short report about your place of birth and share it with others. You have one week to do this assignment.

The Sydney Opera House, situated on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point, is considered by many to be one of the wonders of the modern world.
Designed by Jørn Utzon and constructed under some controversy, it was opened in October 1973.
The Opera House is one of Sydney's most popular icons with tourists and travellers from the world over visiting, photographing and standing in awe of the cultural centre of Sydney.
The Opera House is the home to the:
Ballet at the Opera House
The Australian Ballet
Australian Chamber Orchestra
The Bell Shakespeare Company
Ensemble Theatre
Musica Viva Australia
Musica Viva Australia
Opera Australia
Sydney Dance Company
Sydney Festival
Sydney Symphony
Sydney Theatre Company
Performances by the various companies are being conducted all the time at the Opera House. To book performances of the Opera, Ballet and/or Symphony Orchestra.
Choose from a one or two hour tour that take in the extraordinary history, breathtaking architecture and the unseen workings of the Opera House and its daily life or take you behind-the-scenes to stand on stage in the world-famous Concert Hall or Opera Theatre among other exclusive opportunities and to enjoy a light breakfast in the Green Room. For details on the tours and to book click here.
For information on upcoming performances and to book online.
To fit our relaxed and laid back lifestyle, minimum dress standards are neat casual.

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same, but have different spelling and meanings, e.g. flower and flour. As there are no spelling rules to help you remember them, you need to learn these words. I'd like you to think of more homophones and add them to the list.
Cheers
Michael