Opposite Verbs I

Match the verbs on the leftwith its opposite on the right.
Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.
Then click on the answer button to see if your answer is correct.

1. shrink 2. stop 3. take 4. take off (clothes) 5. take off (plane) 6. tighten 7. weep 8. win 9. withdraw

a. laugh b. deposit c. loosen d. expand e. land f. start g. lose h. put on i. give

Answers 1-d 2-f 3-i 4-h 5-e 6-c 7-a 8-g 9-b

(c) 1998 Vera Mello

Opposite Verbs II

Match the verbs on the left with its opposite on the right.
Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.
Then click on the answer button to see if your answer is correct.

1. regress 2. rise 3. shorten 4. show 5. sink 6. sit 7. spend 8. stay

a. fall b. lengthen c. stand d. save e. leave f. float g. hide h. progress

Answers 1-h 2-a 3-b 4-g 5-f 6-c 7-d 8-e

(C) 1997 Vera Mello

Participles

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. It's ___ how popular American music is around the world.
   a. surprised
   b. surprising
   Answerb

2. I thought the movie "Independence Day" was really ___ .
   a. bored
   b. boring
   Answerb

3. That tall new building in Kuala Lampur really ___ me!
   a. fascinate
   b. fascinating
   c. fascinates
   Answerc

4. Bryan Adams is a really ___ singer.
   a. interested
   b. interesting
   c. interest
   Answerb

5. The comedian we saw last night really ___ us.
   a. amusing
   b. amused
   c. amuse
   Answerb

6. I think flying in an airplane is a ___ experience.
   a. terrifying
   b. terrified
   c. terrify
   Answera

7. Have you heard about the ___ new roller coaster at the amusement park?
   a. excited
   b. excite
   c. exciting
   Answerc

8. He ___ us with his knowledge of Medieval history.
   a. surprised
   b. surprising
   Answera

9. That three hour lecture yesterday was really ___ !
   a. tired
   b. tiring
   Answerb

10. Halloween is coming soon! What a ___ holiday!
    a. frighten
    b. frightened
    c. frightening
    Answerc

Copyright (C) 1996 by Larry Davis

Assorted Questions

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. That is ___ you are poor.
   a. why
   b. that
   c. which
   Answera

2. I couldn't help ___ when he told me that story.
   a. laugh
   b. laughed
   c. laughing
   d. to laugh
   Answerc

3. I heard him ___.
   a. sings
   b. is singing
   c. sing
   d. sang
   e. has sung
   Answerc

4. The place ___ we used to study is no longer a school.
   a. whom
   b. at
   c. where
   Answerc

5. He is ___ taller than you.
   a. very
   b. so
   c. much
   Answerc

6. Jane is ___ than her sister.
   a. more tall
   b. tall
   c. taller
   Answerc

7. There are ___ books on my desk.
   a. little
   b. a little
   c. a few
   Answerc

8. The supermarket ___ their prices last week.
   a. rose
   b. raised
   c. has risen
   Answerb

9. I ___ him last Saturday.
   a. have visited
   b. visited
   Answerb

10. Shakespeare ___ in 1616.
    a. died
    b. has died
    c. was died
    Answera

11. I ___ that movie yet.
    a. don't see
    b. haven't seen
    Answerb

12. He wished he ___ better.
    a. do
    b. did
    c. had done
    Answerc

13. I ___ to go to school.
    a. can
    b. have
    c. must
    Answerb

14. Would you ___ opening the window?
    a. go
    b. have
    c. mind
    d. please
    Answerc

15. Did you enjoy ___ with your girlfriend?
    a. walk
    b. walked
    c. walking
    d. to walk
    Answerc

16. I ___ rather die than spend the rest of my life in prison.
    a. will
    b. would
    c. might
    Answerb

17. He ___ be a fool to do such a thing.
    a. can
    b. must
    Answerb

18. Joe and I ___ good friends.
    a. am
    b. is
    c. are
    Answerc

19. That question is ___ important to be neglected.
    a. so
    b. too
    c. very
    Answerb

20. My mother told me ___ do that.
    a. not to
    b. not
    Answera

21. One of the students ___ in the classroom.
    a. is
    b. are
    Answera

22. I am very fond of ___.
    a. they
    b. them
    c. their
    Answerb

23. ___ isn't easy to learn how to play the piano.
    a. It
    b. That
    c. This
    Answera

24. He had the boy ___ his car.
    a. wash
    b. washed
    Answera

25. I am not as ___ at swimming as you are.
    a. good
    b. well
    Answera

26. Neither my brother nor I ___ rich.
    a. am
    b. are
    c. is
    Answera

27. I saw her ___ by the door.
    a. to stand
    b. standing
    c. stands
    d. stood
    Answerb

28. This is a ___ interesting book.
    a. much
    b. very
    Answerb

29. My brother is ___ stronger than your father.
    a. much
    b. very
    Answera

30. Please take good care ___ your mother.
    a. about
    b. of
    c. to
    Answerb

31. ___ my way to school, I stopped at the post office.
    a. At
    b. In
    c. On
    Answerc

32. I bought this car ___ four thousand dollars.
    a. by
    b. for
    c. with
    Answerb

33. This is a ___ fast car.
    a. much
    b. very
    Answerb

34. I had ___ money, so I couldn't buy lunch.
    a. little
    b. a little
    Answera

35. Please speak a little slower. I can ___ understand you.
    a. hard
    b. hardly
    Answerb

36. I am not used ___ driving this car.
    a. for
    b. of
    c. to
    Answerc

37. I get up ___ seven.
    a. at
    b. in
    c. to
    Answera

38. I didn't see ___ of those movies.
    a. any
    b. none
    Answera

39. There were ___ people at the party.
    a. many
    b. much
    Answera

40. I have a ___ money in my pocket.
    a. few
    b. little
    Answerb

41. He looks ___ than his father.
    a. more happy
    b. happier
    Answerb

42. This place is famous ___ its good-tasting rice.
    a. by
    b. for
    c. with
    Answerb

43. I go to school ___ foot.
    a. by
    b. on
    c. with
    Answerb

44. I have lived here ___ many years.
    a. during
    b. for
    Answerb

45. My brother is ___ of the two.
    a. taller
    b. the taller
    Answerb

46. This news ___ interesting.
    a. was
    b. were
    Answera

47. Did they ___ tennis last Saturday?
    a. played
    b. plays
    c. play
    d. playing
    Answerc

48. He ___ a camera.
    a. have
    b. has
    Answerb

(C) 1997 Charles I. Kelly

Various Questions I

Click the answer buttons to see the answers.

1. He ___ smoke a lot, but after he developed a lung disease, he decided to quit smoking.
   a. used to
   b. was used to
   Answera

2. My life was rather dull ___ I decided to move to the city.
   a. unless
   b. until
   Answerb

3. His watch ___
   a. has been stolen.
   b. has stolen
   Answera

4. Little ___ that their plan has been discovered.
   a. do they suspect
   b. they suspect
   Answera

5. ___ the rain, we went to the club.
   a. Despite
   b. Despite of
   Answera

6. He didn't go to the party. Now he regrets ___ so.
   a. not having done
   b. not have done
   Answera

7. If I had known I'd hurt him so much, I ___ that.
   a. couldn't have said
   b. wouldn't have said
   Answerb

8. Personally I ___ go to Greece.
   a. would rather
   b. would prefer
   Answera

9. She hasn't read the article, nor ___ the essay.
   a. has written
   b. has she written
   Answerb

10. Margareth ___ her mother the prize she had gotten in the competition.
    a. proudly showed
    b. showed proudly
    Answera

11. Have you picked up my ___ by mistake?
    a. car's key
    b. car key
    Answerb

12. I wonder how much ___
    a. that car is.
    b. is that car
    Answera

13. Our customer's money ___ if they're not satisfied with the product.
    a. will be refunded
    b. will have been refunded
    Answera

14. It's clearly stated that you ___ copy the site without written permission from the webmaster.
    a. should not
    b. ought not
    Answera

15. This ticket ___ a free meal in our new cafeteria.
    a. entitles you to
    b. entitles you for
    Answera

16. The price of oil ___ several times in the last two years.
    a. has gone up
    b. went up
    Answera

17. ___ for the TOEFL exam in June, we took a sham exam in April.
    a. Prepare
    b. To prepare
    Answerb

18. I'm sure that by the end of this week, I ___ the hang of HTML.
    a. will have been getting
    b. will have gotten
    Answerb

19. Everything depends on ___ we get a raise in our salary.
    a. if
    b. whether
    Answerb

20. The policeman is demanding that the thief ___ the crime.
    a. confess
    b. confesses
    Answera
Copyright 1998 by Vera Mello

Various Questions II

Click the answer buttons to see the answers.

1. She was angry ___ being left alone.
   a. with
   b. at
   Answerb

2. That woman dressed ___ is my neighbor.
   a. in black
   b. with black
   Answera

3. I'm sure there's no secret between ___
   a. you and I.
   b. you and me.
   Answerb

4. I must ___ the bill today.
   a. pay
   b. pay for
   Answera

5. The dentist told him ___ forget to brush his teeth beforegoing to bed.
   a. not to
   b. to not
   Answera

6. ___ such bad accident.
   a. Never I have seen
   b. Never have I seen
   Answerb

7. I don't know where ___
   a. the bookstore is.
   b. is the bookstore
   Answera

8. She has just finished reading ___ chapters of the book.
   a. the two first
   b. the first two
   Answerb

9. What ___ this is!
   a. delicious coffee
   b. a delicious coffee
   Answera

10. He was ___ for murder.
    a. hung
    b. hanged
    Answerb

11. He's ___ a man that nobody likes him.
    a. so stubborn
    b. such stubborn
    Answera

12. Hemingway and Steinbeck are excellent writers, but I prefer ___
    a. the last
    b. the latter
    Answerb

13. They are using new ___ in their industry.
    a. machineries
    b. machinery
    Answerb

14. John, as well as his brother, ___ coming to the party.
    a. is
    b. are
    Answera

15. ___ we walked home.
    a. After
    b. Afterwards
    Answerb

16. He flunked biology. Now he wishes he ___ more.
    a. studied
    b. had studied
    Answerb

17. ___ he is right or wrong does not concern us.
    a. Whether
    b. If
    Answera

18. It's mandatory that he ___ there on time.
    a. is
    b. be
    Answerb
Copyright 1998 by Vera Mello

Opposite Verbs

Match the verbs on the leftwith its opposite on the right.
Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.
Then click on the answer button to see if your answer is correct.

1. make up 2. marry 3. obey 4. open 5. owe 6. send 7. speed up 8. shrink

a. receive b. divorce c. pay d. expand e. disobey f. break up g. shut h. slow down

Answers 1-f 2-b 3-e 4-g 5-c 6-a 7-h 8-d

Road Vocabulary

Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.
Then click on the answer button to see if your answer is correct.

1. The channel at the edge of a street or road that drains off the rainwater. 2. The place on a roadway reserved for parking the car in emergencies. 3. The marked place where pedestrians should cross the street (in British English). 4. The place on the street reserved for pedestrians to walk. 5. A high-speed highway with several lanes. 6. A street or avenue, usually wide and with trees on both sides. 7. The place (area) where you can park the car.

a. boulevard b. zebra crossing c. gutter d. parking zone e. freeway f. shoulder g. sidewalk

Answers 1-c 2-f 3-b 4-g 5-e 6-a 7-d

B or V?

B and V Minimal Pair Quiz

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. Of all breeds, collies are the ones I like the ___.
   a. best
   b. vest
   Answera
2. It is a good idea to ___ and lock the door when you are alone.
   a. bolt
   b. volt
   Answera
3. A ___ is a measure of the amount of electrical force required to create one amp of current.
   a. bolt
   b. volt
   Answerb
4. A ___ is an unobstructed sound passing through the mouth and nasal passages.
   a. bowel
   b. vowel
   Answerb
5. America's most popular summer game has three ___ and a home plate.
   a. vases
   b. bases
   Answerb
6. What a ___ and horrible crime!
   a. vile
   b. bile
   Answera
7. When I turned around she was gone. She ___ into thin air!
   a. vanished
   b. banished
   Answera
8. Some restaurants offer ___ parking. You just give the keys to the attendant and he does the parking for you.
   a. valet
   b. balet
   Answera
9. Doctors may ask a patient to drink ___ to do a stomach and intestinal test.
   a. valium
   b. barium
   Answerb
10. In legal terms, to "___" means to sell something.
    a. vend
    b. bend
    Answera
11. To reduce stress, it is good to ___ or release pent up emotions.
    a. vent
    b. bent
    Answera
12. A ___ weevil is an insect that damages the cotton plant.
    a. vole
    b. boll
    Answerb
13. ___ writers include Jane Austen, E.M. Forster and Terry McMillan.
    a. Rebel
    b. Revel
    Answera
14. After a bath it is nice to lounge around in a terry-cloth ___.
    a. rove
    b. robe
    Answerb
15. To copy an audio or video recording one must ___ from one machine to another.
    a. dove
    b. dub
    Answerb
16. Baby cattle are known as ___.
    a. calves
    b. cabs
    Answera
17. She slowly turned the ___ on its axis to find South America.
    a. glove
    b. globe
    Answerb
18. Let's all support Women's ___!
    a. Live
    b. Lib
    Answerb
19. She never misses a chance to make a ___ about her husband's eating habits.
    a. jibe
    b. jive
    Answera
20. The ___ of the small church performed the ceremony.
    a. bicker
    b. vicar
    Answerb

(C) 1998 Donna Tatsuki

'A Little' or 'A few'?

Hola,
en una de las primeras unidades estuvieron trabajando con sustantivos contables e incontables.
Acá les acercamos un ejercicio pra trabajar con algo de A little y A Few.

A Little-A Few

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. I've got ___ money. Let's have coffee.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answera
2. I've got ___ stamps that you can use.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answerb
3. I've got ___ time. Do you want to talk?
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answera
4. She can speak ___ Spanish.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answera
5. I write ___ letters every week.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answerb
6. We had ___ rain last night.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answera
7. They made ___ mistakes, but it was OK.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answerb
8. Let's go outside for ___ fresh air.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answera
9. There are ___ new hotels since you last visited.
   a. a little
   b. a few
   Answerb

(C) 1997 byLetitia Bradley

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

Expressions with Hand

Click the answer buttons to see the answers.

1. I plan to write him a letter ___.
   a. by hand
   b. on the other hand
   c. at hand
   Answera
2. I don't have the answer ___.
   a. on hand
   b. in hand
   c. out of hand
   Answera
3. I'm not sure about it. I heard the news ___.
   a. at hand
   b. at first hand
   c. second hand
   Answerc
4. The game is difficult; ___, the players are well prepared.
   a. at first hand
   b. on the other hand
   c. out of hand
   Answerb
5. There were many people ___ to help us.
   a. by hand
   b. on hand
   c. in hand
   Answerb
6. Start studying. The examinations are ___.
   a. at hand
   b. in hand
   c. on hand
   Answera
7. The soccer fans got quite ___ during yesterday's match.
   a. off-hand
   b. out of hand
   c. at hand
   Answerb
8. Don't worry. I still have some money ___.
   a. on hand
   b. out of hand
   c. on all hands
   Answera
9. The problem ___ must be dealt with .
   a. on hand
   b. out of hand
   c. by hand
   Answera
10. Is your sweater knitted ___?
    a. on hand
    b. at hand
    c. by hand
    Answerc

(C) 1998 Vera Mello

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

Prepositions

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

1. ___ Thanksgiving, we usually eat cranberry sauce with our roasted turkey.
   On
   In
   AnswerOn
2. They were reassured ___ the outcome ___ the elections.
   about, in
   by, of
   Answerby, of
3. We always take a trip ___ the summer.
   on
   in
   Answerin
4. She made the mistake ___ adding salt instead of sugar.
   about
   of
   Answerof
5. He was sitting ___ his seat when the teacher entered the classroom.
   at
   in
   Answerin
6. While ___ holiday, they vacationed ___ Australia.
   in, on
   on, in
   Answeron, in
7. He was concerned ___ his low grade ___ the class.
   about, in
   with, on
   Answerabout, in
8. He came ___ the decision that he should study harder.
   with
   to
   Answerto
9. He was happy ___ them when he learned ___ their success.
   for, of
   with, about
   Answerfor, of
10. He was confused ___ the correct answer to the test question.
    about
    for
    Answerabout
11. He looked ___ the countryside for signs of spring.
    about
    in
    Answerabout
12. He joined ___ his allies to win the battle.
    against
    with
    Answerwith
13. He looked ___ his friends for advice.
    to
    on
    Answerto
14. The cook waited ___ the customers because the server left early.
    for
    on
    Answeron
15. He waited ___ her reply until it was too late to make a decision.
    on
    for
    Answerfor

(C) 1997 by Cheryl Newman-Marris

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

Subject/Verb Agreement

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. The use of vitamin supplements and herbs (be) ___ becoming increasingly popular among Americans.
   Answeris
2. While many studies claim that vitamins and herbs can improve health, there (be) ___ a lot of controversy about their safety.
   Answeris
3. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (do) ___ not regulate vitamins and herbs.
   Answerdoes
4. Most experts (believe) ___ that herbal supplements are mild and somewhat harmless.
   Answerbelieve
5. Still, anyone who (take) ___ too much of a vitamin or herb could suffer negative side effects.
   Answertakes
6. For example, some medical problems (have) ___ been linked to overuse of ephedra, an herb taken by people to lose weight.
   Answerhave
7. Some research (suggest) ___ that Vitamin C may help prevent cancer.
   Answersuggests
8. People who (take) ___ more than 1,000 miligrams of vitamin C daily may experience diarrhea or kidney stones.
   Answertake
9. Advertisers say that the herb "kava kava" (reduce) ___ anxiety and insomnia.
   Answerreduces
10. Using large amounts of kava kava (be) ___ not wise as muscle, eye or skin problems could result.
    Answeris
11. The danger of long-term use of vitamins and herbs (be) ___ still unknown.
    Answeris
12. There (be) ___ a lot of evidence that vitamin-rich foods are beneficial.
    Answeris
13. However, whether the use of supplements (be) ___ helpful or not is still being debated.
    Answeris
14. Most people (be) ___ able to get all the vitamins they need in the foods they eat.
    Answerare
15. A daily diet that (contain) ___ foods from the 4 groups should supply all the nutrients a person needs.
    Answercontains
16. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (be) ___ said to provide all the essential vitamins we require.
    Answeris
17. The best way to get the necessary vitamins and minerals (be) ___ naturally, through a healthy diet.
    Answeris
18. Talking to your doctor before taking supplements (be) ___ advisable.
    Answeris

Copyright (C) 1999 by Colleen Weldele

Facebook child abuse images ringleader jailed

Dear people,

as the second term begins, we bring you a report originated in Australia about pornography in Facebook. An international child pornography ring that operated on Facebook has been brought down with the social networking site's support, Australian police said Friday.

Eleven people have been charged in Australia, Britain and Canada in connection with the syndicate, which involved people using Facebook to distribute and view graphic sexual images, police said.

Here you can download the activity, which includes the answers on the last page.

Hope you find it useful!

Should you happen to have any doubt, contact your teacher.

Kind regards,

Prof. Mariano Ignacio

Centro Univ. de Idiomas

CNN Student News

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

Total English - Revisión de las Unidades

Hola a todos!

El cuatrimestre ya está finalizando, y queremos que el proceso de exámenes sea un tiempo de evaluación objetivo y a la vez personal. Objetivo, cuando todos ustedes alumnos rinden sus exámenenes en los que se evalúa el progreso y los contenidos adquiridos. Y personal, cuando son ustedes mismos quienes miden y ven su propio progreso. Es por eso que hoy les acercamos un examen unidad por unidad, para que hagan una evaluación personal antes del examen. Pero... es importante que NO los realicen como un ejercicio más, sino como el resultado del estudio previo. Hagan los ejercicios del Workbook, trabajen con el CD-ROM -tiene muy buena ejercitación y explicaciones claras y concisas-. Y recién después, realicen estos "exámenes" de práctica.
Que les resulte de utilidad y que los exámenes finales sean un tiempo de cosechar el trabajo del cuatrimestre.

Unidad 6 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 7 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 8 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 9 -examen y respuestas-
Unidad 10 -examen y respuestas-

Saludos,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

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

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

Oil Spill Reaches Florida

Hello there!

Americans knew it was coming, but had still hoped that it might be avoided: The Gulf oil spill hit Florida on Friday as tar balls began washing up on Pensacola Beach. “Oh my God, how disgusting!” one swimmer who tried to swim in the water has told the New York Daily News. In better news, BP successfully maneuvered a cap over the oil gusher on Thursday; however, oil continues to spill into the ocean. President Obama is set to visit the Louisiana coast again on Friday.
Today, we bring you a report on how Tourism will be affected as the oil spill reaches Florida. In case, there are words you can not understand we provide you with the TRANSCRIPT TO THE CLIP.

Enjoy!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

The 39 Steps

Dear all,
"The 39 Steps" is a classic adventure novel by Scottish author John Buchan, published in 1915. It has many movie versions, one of them directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Recently, a theater parody version of the film has been staged both in London and New York.

And it has also been translated and produced in Buenos Aires at the Teatro Picadilly, starring Laura Oliva, Fabian Giannola, Nicolás Scarpino and Diego Ramos.

Today, we bring the review that NY1's Roma Torre presented on January 15, 2008. We have prepared an exercise for you to work which includes the answers.
Hope you find it interesting and useful!

EXERCISE (with answers)

VIDEO for the EXERCISE



Have a look at the audience reactions!


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.

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 14th, 2010 focusing on these pieces of news:

* Why are federal authorities following cash couriers?

* What are the challenges of trying to fix an oil leak a mile under the sea?

* Why is an Arizona education law raising controversy?

* How is one teen's computer program having an impact around the world?

TRANSCRIPT TO THE SHOW, 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

¡Empezamos!

Hola a todos!

En esta primera entrega de nuestra práctica permanente on line queremos acercarles un ejercicio para que practiquen elementos del idioma con los que están familiarizados o conozcan.

El ejercicio es un informe de un canal de noticias de Nueva York, e incluye las respuestas en la última hoja.

Además les queremos dejar un informe de la radio australiana acerca de cómo los hombres y las mujeres reaccionan de un modo diferente frente al dolor y a los analgésicos. Una oportunidad para experimentar cómo es exponerse al Inglés Australiano.

Sean curiosos, exploren, y anímense a equivocarse. De los errores, aprendemos más que de los libros.
Suerte y a trabajar, entonces!

EJERCICIO - Live like a Vanderbilt for a weekend! - Descargar en PDF



Australian English - Women and Men and Painkillers - Descargar en PDF



Que tengan una buena semana!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas

NOTA: Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat

Primer Cuatrimestre 2010

Hola y bienvenidos al Primer Cuatrimestre!

A partir de la última semana de abril volveremos a actualizar quincenalmente los Blogs del Centro Universitario de Idiomas.
Si estás recibiendo este e-mail es porque en algún momento te suscribiste a nuestro correo de actualizaciones.

* Para recibir actualizaciones de tu curso actual deberás suscribirte al BLOG corresponidiente al NIVEL que estés realizando. (aquí el listado de Niveles)
* Al mismo tiempo si quisieras no recibir más actualizaciones de ESTE BLOG, deberás desuscribirte.

Ambas acciones son fáciles de realizar, y deben ser hechas personalmente.

Esperamos contarte entre nuestros alumnos que siguen apostando a continuar capacitándose para hablar y disfrutar de más Inglés.

Muchas gracias!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Universitario de Idiomas