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