Elementary

Read the article and answer the questions.

Black Hollywood – A movie review

Patricia Denning stars in a sad movie about ambition and heartbreak.

When Cecilia leaves college in Texas, she has everything: a wonderful boyfriend, Carl, an interesting job and an expensive house in a pretty town. Her life is perfect. Even her black Labrador dog, Perky, is a star: he wins the local dog competition and Hollywood wants to put him in a movie.

Cecilia goes to Hollywood with him and leaves her boyfriend alone back home. When the studio fires Perky, Cecilia decides to stay in Hollywood and tries to get other movie roles for her beautiful dog.

Carl gives Cecilia an ultimatum: come home and stop behaving crazily, or stay there forever. Cecilia decides to stay in Hollywood and wants to become an actress herself. She sends Perky back to Texas and starts an acting course. After six months, Cecilia realizes she can’t act and she misses home, but it’s too late. Carl has found another girlfriend. Cecilia tries to win him back, and also discovers a lot about herself on her long journey.

This is a very sad movie, which makes you think about what we want from life. Patricia Denning is very convincing as Cecilia, but the star of the movie is gorgeous Perky, the black Labrador who steals our hearts. Black Hollywood is in cinemas from next week.

1. What does Cecilia not have?
   a. A pet
   b. A great job
   c. A wonderful husband
   d. A house she loves
2. When does her wonderful adventure begin?
   a. When her dog wins a competition
   b. When she goes on vacation to Hollywood
   c. When she marries her boyfriend, Carl
   d. When she buys the house in a pretty town
3. What happens to Perky in Hollywood?
   a. He becomes a star
   b. He makes two movies and retires
   c. He isn’t very successful
   d. He’s too nervous to work
4. What is Carl’s reaction to Cecilia living in Hollywood?
   a. He’s supportive
   b. He’s angry
   c. He doesn’t care
   d. He doesn’t know she went
5. Why does Cecilia stay in Hollywood?
   a. She has no money
   b. She hates Carl
   c. She wants to become an actress
   d. She is too busy making movies

Intermediate

Read the article and answer the questions.

President Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky, USA. His parents were Thomas Lincoln, a farmer, and Nancy Hanks. His family was very poor. Abraham had one brother and one sister. His brother died in childhood. They grew up in a small log cabin house, with just one room inside.

Although slavery was legal in Kentucky at that time, Lincoln’s father, who was a religious Baptist, refused to own any slaves. When Lincoln was seven years old, his family moved to Indiana, and later to Illinois. In his childhood he helped his father on the farm, but when he was 22 years old he left home and moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he worked in a general store. Later, he said that he had gone to school for just one year, but that was enough to learn how to read, write, and do simple math.

In 1842, he married Mary Todd Lincoln. They had four children, but three of them died when they were very young. Abraham Lincoln was sometimes called Abe Lincoln or “Honest Abe” after he ran miles to give a costumer the right amount of change. The nickname “Honest Abe” came from a time when he started a business that failed. Instead of running away like many people would have, he stayed and worked to pay off his debt.

He has also been called the “Great Emancipator” because of his work to end slavery in the United States. In 1863, he declared that all slaves held in the rebellious Confederate States were free. He also sponsored the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Ratified in 1865, nine months after his assassination, that amendment completely outlawed slavery in the United States.

Answer True or False for these questions about the Abraham Lincoln reading.

Forrás: http://www.esl-lounge.com

KEY:

KEY

Elementary

1. What does Cecilia not have?
   a. A pet
   b. A great job
   c. A wonderful husband
   d. A house she loves
2. When does her wonderful adventure begin?
   a. When her dog wins a competition
   b. When she goes on vacation to Hollywood
   c. When she marries her boyfriend, Carl
   d. When she buys the house in a pretty town
3. What happens to Perky in Hollywood?
   a. He becomes a star
   b. He makes two movies and retires
   c. He isn’t very successful
   d. He’s too nervous to work
4. What is Carl’s reaction to Cecilia living in Hollywood?
   a. He’s supportive
   b. He’s angry
   c. He doesn’t care
   d. He doesn’t know she went
5. Why does Cecilia stay in Hollywood?
   a. She has no money
   b. She hates Carl
   c. She wants to become an actress
   d. She is too busy making movies

Intermediate

1. true
2. false
3. false
4. true
5. true
6. false

Elementary:

Today you are going to practise the prepositions of time.

Fill in the sentences with    in      on      at    or    nothing.

1. Jane is arriving ……………. January 26 ………….. 2 o’clock ……………… the afternoon.

2. It snows here every year ………………. December.

3. Michael is leaving ……………. noon.

4. Frankie started working here …………… 1995.

5. My brother arrived ………… yesterday.

6. The plane leaves tomorrow morning …………… 8:00 AM.

7. Dad is not home …………… the moment..

8. We usually go out ……………… Friday evenings .

Intermediate:

Adjectives + prepositions

Fill in the correct prepositions.

1. I’m angry ……………… him for telling lies about me.

2. Are you afraid …………….. snakes?

3. It’s very nice ………………. you to lend me your car.

4. I have to stop to talk to you. I’m a bit short …………. time.

5. Are you interested …………. football?

6. You shoes are similar ……….. mine but they are not exactly the same.

7. We’ve got enough to eat. The fridge is full ………… food.

8. He is good ……………….. playing chess.

9. He is responsible ………………. the accident.

10. I learn Spanish but I’m not very satisfied …………….. my progress.

KEY:

Elementary:

1. Jane is arriving on January 26 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

2. It snows here every year in December.

3. Michael is leaving at noon.

4. Frankie started working here in 1995.

5. My brother arrived – yesterday.

6. The plane leaves tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM.

7. Dad is not home at the moment.

8. We usually go out on Friday evenings .

Intermediate:

1. I’m angry with him for telling lies about me.

2. Are you afraid of snakes?

3. It’s very nice of you to lend me your car.

4. I have to stop to talk to you. I’m a bit short of time.

5. Are you interested in football?

6. You shoes are similar to mine but they are not exactly the same.

7. We’ve got enough to eat. The fridge is full of food.

8. He is good at playing chess.

9. He is responsible for the accident.

10. I learn Spanish but I’m not very satisfied with my progress.

Elementary:

Match the quote and the movie.
1. “Do or do not, there is no try”

2. ”Then close your eyes and tap your heels together three times, and think to yourself, there’s no place like home”

3. ”I see dead people”

4. “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get”

5. “Ah, Houston, we’ve had a problem.”

6. ”Play it Sam!”

 7. “I feel the need – the need for speed!                    

8. “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”

9. “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”

10. ”Hasta la vista, baby!”

a, Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back

b, Apollo 13

c, Terminator 2- Judgement Day

d, Casablanca

e, Dead Poets Society

f, The Wizard of Oz

g, Top Gun

h, Back to the Future

i, The Sixth Sense

j, Forrest Gump

Intermediate:

Who played Baby in the film Dirty Dancing?

a, Jennifer Grey                   b, Nicole Kidman                       c, Goldie Hawn

Which famous actress was born Norma Jeane Mortenson?

a, Meryl Streep                      b, Marylin Monroe                             c, Sophia Loren

Who played James Bond in ‘Live and Let Die’?

a, Sean Connery                         b, Pierce Brosnan                           c, Roger Moore

How many ‘Rocky’ films did Sylvester Stallone star in?

a, five                                           b, six                                  c, seven

What was the title of the film that Whitney Houston starred in alongside Kevin Costner?

a, The Bodyguard                            b,  Robin Hood                                 c,  JFK

What was the title of the film that starred Elvis Presley playing the role of a boxer?

a, Kid Galahad                        b, Jailhouse Rock                               c, G.I. Blues

Which movie won an Oscar for Best Film in 2000?

a, Gladiator                            b,    Saving Private Ryan                  c, American Beauty

What color lipstick did silent movie stars wear?

a, red                                          b, black                                     c, white

Which Bond movie did Daniel Craig first star in?

a, Casino Royale                                     b, Skyfall                                     c, Goldeneye

In Toy Story, who provides the voice of Buzz Lightyear?

a, Tom Hanks                                 b,  Robin Williams                                  c, Tim Allen

KEY:

Elementary:

Match the quote and the movie.

1. “Do or do not, there is no try”    a, Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back

1. ”Then close your eyes and tap your heels together three times, and think to yourself, there’s no place like home”         f, The Wizard of Oz

1. ”I see dead people”          i, The Sixth Sense

1. “Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get”     j, Forrest Gump

1. “Ah, Houston, we’ve had a problem.”    b, Apollo 13

1.  ”Play it Sam!”    d, Casablanca

1.  “I feel the need – the need for speed!    g, Top Gun                   

1. “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”   h, Back to the Future

1. “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”     e, Dead Poets Society

1. ”Hasta la vista, baby!”         c, Terminator 2- Judgement Day

Intermediate:

1. Who played Baby in the film Dirty Dancing?

a, Jennifer Grey                   b, Nicole Kidman                       c, Goldie Hawn

1. Which famous actress was born Norma Jeane Mortenson?

a, Meryl Streep                      b, Marylin Monroe                             c, Sophia Loren

1. Who played James Bond in ‘Live and Let Die’?

a, Sean Connery                         b, Pierce Brosnan                           c, Roger Moore

1. How many ‘Rocky’ films did Sylvester Stallone star in?

a, five                                           b, six                                  c, seven

1. What was the title of the film that Whitney Houston starred in alongside Kevin Costner?

a, The Bodyguard                            b,  Robin Hood                                 c,  JFK

1. What was the title of the film that starred Elvis Presley playing the role of a boxer?

a, Kid Galahad                        b, Jailhouse Rock                               c, G.I. Blues

1. Which movie won an Oscar for Best Film in 2000?

a, Gladiator                            b,    Saving Private Ryan                  c, American Beauty

1. What color lipstick did silent movie stars wear?

a, red                                          b, black                                     c, white

1. Which Bond movie did Daniel Craig first star in?

a, Casino Royale                                     b, Skyfall                                     c, Goldeneye

10. In Toy Story, who provides the voice of Buzz Lightyear?

a, Tom Hanks                                 b,  Robin Williams                                  c, Tim Allen

Elemenatary:

Today you are going to learn some idioms.

First match the idioms with their meaning.

1. something is very expensive.
2. Very different from.
3. A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.
4. calm down and behave normally
5. very near

1. a piece of cake
2. a stone’s throw
3. cost an arm and a leg
4. pull yourself together
5. far cry from

Now complete the sentences with the appropriate idiom.

1. The book was a _____________________ the film. I think the book was so much better.
2. Learning English is not that difficult, it is __________________________.
3. I know you are sad but I think it is time to _________________________.
4. Can you tell me how I can get to the library? – Yes, of course. It is easy because the library is _____________ from here.
5. My new telephone was not cheap, actually it ___________________________.

Intermediate:

Today you are going to learn some idioms.

First match the idioms with their meaning.

1. It is up to you to make the next decision or step
2. To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.
3. Do or say something exactly right
4. To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question
5. make a special effort

1. hit the nail in the head
2. Ball is in your court.
3. go the extra mile
4. burn the midnight oil
5. Your guess is as good as mine.

Now complete the sentences with the appropriate idiom.

1. You look really pale. What has happened to you? – Well, I have been ____________________ as I have a lot of exams to come.
2. Now, I have told you everything I know. The decision is yours. ________________________.
3. As I understand you wish to quit your job because of the workload? – Oh, yes. ___________________________________.
4. Without __________________, you will never succeed.
5. Do you know why she is crying? – Well,

Key:

Elementary:

1. c
2. e
3. a
4. d
5. b
6. a far cry from
7. a piece of cake
8. pull yourself together
9. a stone’s throw
10. cost an arm and a leg

Intermediate:

1. b
2. d
3. a
4. e
5. c
6. burning the midnight oil
7. Ball is in your court.
8. You have hit the nail on the head.
9. going the extra mile
10. Your guess is as good as mine.

Elementary

Read the story and answer the questions.

For many years people believed that the cleverest animals after man were chimpanzees. Now, however, there is proof that dolphins may be even cleverer than these big apes.

Although a dolphin lives in the sea it is not a fish. It is a mammal. It is in many ways, therefore, like a human being. Dolphins have a simple language. They are able to talk to one another. It may be possible for man to learn how to talk to dolphins. But this will not be easy because dolphins can not hear the kind of sounds man can make. If man wants to talk to dolphins, therefore, he will have to make a third language which both he and the dolphins can understand. Dolphins are also very friendly towards man. They often follow ships. There are many stories of dolphins guiding ships through difficult and dangerous waters.

1, Which animals do people think may be the cleverest?

a, chimpanzees

b, dolphins

c, big apes

d, mammals

2, What other beings are dolphins like in many ways?

a, fish

b, animals

c, reptiles

d, men

3, What have scientists discovered about dolphins?

a, They understand simple language.

b, They can speak to one another.

c, Men can now talk to them.

d, They can teach men their language

4, Why is a third language necessary if man wants to talk to dolphins?

1. Most men do not speak English.
2. The dolphins language is hard to learn.
3. Dolphins cannot hear men speaking.
4. Men want to talk to dolphins in secret.

5, In what way are dolphins friendly to man?

a, They like interesting things about man.

b, They often follow ships.

c, They often jump on to ships.

d, They seem to like stories.

Forrás: http://www.englishteststore.ne

Intermediate

A múlt heti középszintű érettségi feladatsor egyik feladata. J

Read this letter and then read the sentences (1-8) following it.

• Mark a sentence A if it is true according to the article.
• Mark it B if it is false.
• Mark it C if there is not enough information in the text to decide if the sentence is true or not.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my appreciation to some kind individual who was shopping at Lidl in

Dewsbury last Wednesday.

I am a 69-year-old retired gentleman. I was taking my elderly uncle shopping at Lidl, as I

do every week. After taking my uncle home and getting home myself, I realised that I had

misplaced the bag that I normally carry around my waist containing my money and my

personal belongings. I thought that this would be the last time it was seen!

However, I called the supermarket and to my surprise some kind person had found it by

the door in the supermarket and handed it in to the cashier, complete with £30 and everything

untouched.

Our town has had such a bad press recently. This goes to show that there are still kind,

caring, genuine people about and I would like to say how proud of my community I am.

I am one very happy gentleman.

Yours faithfully,

1. McG.

(www.batleynews.co.uk)

A   B   C ?

1) The man regularly goes shopping with his uncle.                                                                       _____

2) Out in the street the man noticed that he didn’t have his bag with him.                         _____

3) He was sure he would find the bag.                                                                                                _____

4) The bag was a present for his birthday.                                                                                         _____

5) The man contacted the supermarket by phone.                                                                       _____

6) The person who found the bag was an elderly gentleman.                                                  _____

7) No money had disappeared from his bag.                                                                                    _____

8) The man is happy about having nice people in his town.                                                        _____

KEY

Elementary

1, Which animals do people think may be the cleverest?

a, chimpanzees

b, dolphins

c, big apes

d, mammals

2, What other beings are dolphins like in many ways?

a, fish

b, animals

c, reptiles

d, men

3, What have scientists discovered about dolphins?

a, They understand simple language.

b, They can speak to one another.

c, Men can now talk to them.

d, They can teach men their language

4, Why is a third language necessary if man wants to talk to dolphins?

1. Most men do not speak English.
2. The dolphins language is hard to learn.
3. Dolphins cannot hear men speaking.
4. Men want to talk to dolphins in secret.

5, In what way are dolphins friendly to man?

a, They like interesting things about man.

b, They often follow ships.

c, They often jump on to ships.

d, They seem to like stories.

Forrás: http://www.englishteststore.net

Intermediate

1) The man regularly goes shopping with his uncle.                                                                       A

2) Out in the street the man noticed that he didn’t have his bag with him.                                B

3) He was sure he would find the bag.                                                                                               B

4) The bag was a present for his birthday.                                                                                        C

5) The man contacted the supermarket by phone.                                                                          A

6) The person who found the bag was an elderly gentleman.                                                         C

7) No money had disappeared from his bag.                                                                                     A

8) The man is happy about having nice people in his town.                                                            A

Forrás: http://www.oktatas.hu/kozneveles/erettsegi/feladatsorok

Elementary:

Today you are going to practise gerund and infinitive.

gerund:   verb + -ing

infinitive:   to + verb

Write the correct form of the verbs gerund or infinitive.

1. Would you like (come) …………………. with me to the restaurant?
2. I like (swim) ………………………..  in my free time.
3. We want (go) ……………………………. home early today.
4. I tried (call) ……………………………… him on his mobile, but I couldn’t reach him.
5. I hate (do) ………………………………. housework at weekends.
6. My family has decided (move) ……………………………. to London.
7. Please, stop (talk) ………………………. and listen to me!
8. I hope (see)………………………….. you soon.
9. He is good at (play) ……………………………. basketball.
10. I love (learn) ………………………………… English.

Intermediate:

Today you are going to practise gerund and infinitive.

Write the correct form of the verbs gerund, infinitive  or bare infinitive.

1. It isn’t good for you (eat) ……………………………… so many sweets.
   2. I didn’t feel like (go) ………………………………….. to the party so I phoned my friend.
   3. Why do you keep (look) …………………………………….. at my computer?
   4. Do you remember (lock) ………………………………………….. the door? I hope you’ve locked it.
   5. You still have a lot (learn) …………………………………. in English.
   6. Would you mind (help) …………………………………. me with the luggage?
   7. He decided (cancel) ………………………………….………. the meeting.
   8. I am looking forward to (see) ………………………………….. you soon.
   9. We got tired of (wait) ………………………………………….. for the waiter.
   10. You don’t need (ask) ……………………………………… me every time you want to go out.
   11. You’d better (stay) …………………………………………. at home it is raining hard.
   12. The police accused him of (steal) ……………………………….. the money from the house.
   13. Our boss expects her (go) …………………………………….. with him.
   14. You should apologize for (borrow) ……………………………………… the book without his permission.
   15. I got used to (get up) ………………………….. early when I worked at the hospital.

KEY

Elementary:

Write the correct form of the verbs gerund or infinitive.

1. Would you like to come with me to the restaurant?
2. I like swimming in my free time.
3. We want to go home early today.
4. I tried to call him on his mobile, but I couldn’t reach him.
5. I hate doing housework at weekends.
6. My family has decided to move to London.
7. Please, stop talking and listen to me!
8. I hope to see  you soon.
9. He is good at playing basketball.
10. I love learning English.

Intermediate:

Write the correct form of the verbs gerund, infinitive  or bare infinitive.

1. It isn’t good for you to eat so many sweets.
   2. I didn’t feel like going to the party so I phoned my friend.
   3. Why do you keep looking at my computer?
   4. Do you remember locking the door? I hope you’ve locked it.
   5. You still have a lot to learn in English.
   6. Would you mind helping me with the luggage?
   7. He decided to cancel the meeting.
   8. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
   9. We got tired of waiting for the waiter.
   10. You don’t need to ask me every time you want to go out.
   11. You’d better stay at home it is raining hard.
   12. The police accused him of stealing the money from the house.
   13. Our boss expects her to go with him.
   14. You should apologize for borrowing the book without his permission.
   15. I got used to getting up early when I worked at the hospital.

Elementary:

Today you are going to have a quick test. Complete the sentences with the suitable words.

1. Jenny ___________ tired.
2. ” ___________ is she?” “She’s my friend from London”
3. Today is Wednesday. Yesterday it ___________ Tuesday.
4. It’s Thursday today. Tomorrow it ___________ Friday.
5. ___________ lots of animals in the zoo.
6. How many people ___________ in your family?
7. “Has Steve got a sister?” “No, he ___________, but he’s got 2 brothers.”
8. Where ___________ Sarah live?
9. _____ Mary ______ to London on the train yesterday?
10. Jack ___________ English, Spanish and a bit of French.

Intermediate:

Today you are going to have a quick test. Complete the sentences with the suitable words.

1. I did my homework while I _____ television.
   had watched / watching / was watching / watched / was watch

   2. I met Jane while I _____ on the beach.
   walk / were walking / was walking / walked / walking

   3. I _____ a letter tomorrow.
   write /writ / will write / have written / has written

   4. I _____ in this school for ten years.
   were Studying / studying / studied / have been studying / has been studying

   5. I _____ my grandmother next week.
   should be visit / visit / visiting / will visit / would visit

   6. I _____ my work now. Do not disturb me.
   am doing / was doing / were doing / do / done

   7. I _____ the pen before she did.
   is taking / took / had taken / taken / take

   8. If I _____ the address, I would have gone there.
   had known / have known / know / know / known

   9. If she asks for money, I _____ her.
   gave / give / given / gives / will give

   10. London _____ a lot since 1975.
   change / changed / has changed / have changed / will change

   11. Look! The boy _____ the hill.
   climbing / climbs / is climbing / was climbing / were climbed

   12. Scientists _____ a new planet.

have just discovered / has just discover / have just discover / will just discovered / had just discover

13. She caught them while they _____.
were talking / was talked / talked / is talking / did talked

14. She never _____ late to school.
is coming / came / coming / comes / come

15. She _____ cooking food daily.
has liked / is liking / liking / likes / like

16. She _____ to London yesterday.
gone / go / went / will go / had went

17. The baby _____ usually well behaved.
are / has / is / shall / were

18. The bus _____ before I reached the bus-stop.
will arrive / have arrive / had arrived / arrived / arrive

19. The manager _____ soon.
arrived / arrives / has arrive / is arriving / will arrive

20. You should always _____ healthy food.
eaten / was eating / eating / eat / shall eat

Key:

Elementary:

1. is
2. Who
3. was
4. will be
5. There are
6. are there
7. hasn’t
8. does
9. did/go
10. speaks

Intermediate:

1. was watching
2. was walking
3. will write
4. have been studying
5. will visit
6. am doing
7. had taken
8. had known
9. will give
10. has changed
11. is climbing
12. have just discovered
13. were talking
14. comes
15. likes
16. went
17. is
18. had arrived
19. will arrive
20. eat

Elementary:

Today you are going to learn some chat language.

Try and find out what these letters and numbers mean.

1. ASAP
2. AKA
3. BFF
4. HAK
5. HAND

1. best friends forever
2. hugs and kisses
3. as soon as possible
4. also known as
5. have a nice day

Can you guess their Hungarian meanings?

Intermediate:

Today you are going to learn some chat language.

Try and find out what these letters and numbers mean.

1. YOLO
2. XOXO
3. W8
4. W/O
5. OMG

1. wait
2. you only live once
3. oh my god
4. without
5. hugs & kisses

Can you guess their Hungarian meanings?

Key:

Elementary:

1. c
2. d
3. a
4. b
5. e

1. amilyen gyorsan csak lehet
2. más néven
3. örökre a legjobb barátok
4. ölelés és puszi (baráti elköszönönés)
5. Legyen szép napod!

Intermediate:

1. b
2. e
3. a
4. d
5. c

1. egyszer élünk
2. ölelés (baráti elköszönés)
3. várj
4. valami nélkül
5. Atyaúristen

Elementary

Read the story and answer the questions.

Leonard James is a homeless man. For him, life is always hard.

He is always hungry. His shoes have holes in them. He needs a haircut. His clothes are old and dirty.

“What I would do with one hundred dollars!” Leonard says. This is a game he likes to play with himself to take his mind off things.

He is walking down the street on a Thursday night. The winter air is cold on his face. “If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new socks,” he says. He continues to walk down the street.

“If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a haircut,” he says. He continues to walk down the street.

“If I had one hundred dollars, I could buy new pants,” he says. He continues to walk down the street.

“If I had one hundred dollars, I could get a hamburger,” he says. His stomach rumbles at the thought.

“If I had….

” Leonard looks down at the sidewalk. He cannot believe what he sees!

Someone has lost his wallet.  Leonard picks it up. Inside are five twenty dollar bills.

“One hundred dollars!” Leonard says. He is very excited. “Now I can buy everything I want!” Then Leonard begins to think.

“But this is not my money,” he says. Leonard goes to the police station.

He gives a police officer the wallet and money.

“Thank you,” says the police officer. “You are a very honest man.” Leonard smiles. He turns around and begins to leave the police station.

“Hold on,” the police officer says. He reaches in his own pocket and gives Leonard ten dollars. “Get yourself something to eat.”

1, What is life like for Leonard? (only one correct answer)

a, It is hard.

b, It is easy.

c, It is warm.

d, It is full of good food.

2) How does the reader know that Leonard is poor?

Circle all that are correct.

1. He is honest.
2. He has no home.
3. He finds a wallet.
4. He is always hungry.

3)  Why does Leonard think about what he would do with a hundred dollars? (only one correct answer)

1. a) The police officer asks him to.
2. b) It helps him go to sleep.
3. c) It takes his mind off things.
4. d) He knows he will find the money.

4) Why does Leonard go to the police station?  (only one correct answer)

1. a) Because he owes money.
2. b) Because he wants a reward
3. c) Because the wallet is not for him
4. d) Because he has committed a crime

5) What does it mean to be honest? (only one correct answer)

1. a) To be angry
2. b) To want more
3. c) To be truthful
4. d) To be hopeful

Intermediate

Read through the text below, answer the questions that follow

The hardest language

People often ask which the most difficult language is to learn, and it is not easy to answer because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, in a first language the differences are unimportant as people learn their mother tongue naturally, so the question of how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when learning a second language.

A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a native speaker of Chinese, for example, because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish, while Chinese is very different, so first language can affect learning a second language. The greater the differences between the second language and our first, the harder it will be for most people to learn. Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn, possibly influenced by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system, and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to be very difficult for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who already use Chinese characters in their own language, learning writing will be less difficult than for speakers of languages using the Roman alphabet.

Some people seem to learn languages readily, while others find it very difficult. Teachers and the circumstances in which the language is learned also play an important role, as well as each learner’s motivation for learning. If people learn a language because they need to use it professionally, they often learn it faster than people studying a language that has no direct use in their day to day life.

Apparently, British diplomats and other embassy staff have found that the second hardest language is Japanese, which will probably come as no surprise to many, but the language that they have found to be the most problematic is Hungarian, which has 35 cases (forms of nouns according to whether it is subject, object, genitive etc.). This does not mean that Hungarian is the hardest language to learn for everyone, but it causes British diplomatic personnel, who are generally used to learning languages, the most difficulty. However, Tabassaran, a Caucasian language has 48 cases, so it might cause more difficulty if British diplomats had to learn it.

Different cultures and individuals from those cultures will find different languages more difficult. In the case of Hungarian for British learners, it is not a question of the writing system, which uses a similar alphabet, but the grammatical complexity, though native speakers of related languages may find it easier, while struggling with languages that the British find relatively easy.

No language is easy to learn well, though languages which are related to our first language are easier. Learning a completely different writing system is a huge challenge, but that does not necessarily make a language more difficult than another. In the end, it is impossible to say that there is one language that is the most difficult language in the world.

a, The question of how hard a language is to learn is relevant to both first and second language acquisition.      TRUE      FALSE

b, Portuguese is definitely easier than Chinese.     TRUE      FALSE

c,  Japanese speaker may well find the Chinese writing system easier than a speaker of a European language.       TRUE      FALSE

d, The Hungarian alphabet causes problems for British speakers.     TRUE      FALSE

e, Hungarian is the hardest language in the world.       TRUE      FALSE

f, Hungarian has as many cases as Tabassaran.      TRUE      FALSE

g, Many British diplomats learn Tabassaran.       TRUE      FALSE

h, The writer thinks that learning new writing systems is easy.      TRUE      FALSE

Forrás:  www.usingenglish.com

KEY

Elementary

1, What is life like for Leonard? (only one correct answer)

a,It is hard.

b, It is easy.

c, It is warm.

d, It is full of good food.

2) How does the reader know that Leonard is poor? Circle all that are correct.

1. He is honest.
2. He has no home.
3. He finds a wallet.
4. He is always hungry. 


3)  Why does Leonard think about what he would do with a hundred dollars? (only one correct answer)

1. a) The police officer asks him to.
2. b) It helps him go to sleep.
3. c) It takes his mind off things.
4. d) He knows he will find the money.

4) Why does Leonard go to the police station?  (only one correct answer)

1. a) Because he owes money.
2. b) Because he wants a reward
3. c) Because the wallet is not for him
4. d) Because he has committed a crime

5) What does it mean to be honest? (only one correct answer)

1. a) To be angry
2. b) To want more
3. c) To be truthful
4. d) To be hopeful

Intermediate

a, The question of how hard a language is to learn is relevant to both first and second language acquisition.           FALSE

b, Portuguese is definitely easier than Chinese.         FALSE

c,  Japanese speaker may well find the Chinese writing system easier than a speaker of a European language.       TRUE     

d, The Hungarian alphabet causes problems for British speakers.           FALSE

e, Hungarian is the hardest language in the world.            FALSE

f, Hungarian has as many cases as Tabassaran.          FALSE

g, Many British diplomats learn Tabassaran.      FALSE

h, The writer thinks that learning new writing systems is easy.  FALSE

Elementary:

Today you are going to learn some idioms in connection with weather.

First match the idioms with their meanings.

1. be snowed under
2. be on cloud nine
3. It’s raining cats and dogs.
4. feel under the weather

1. Nagyon esik az eső.
2. El van havazva.
3. rosszul érzi magát
4. nagyon boldog

Now put the appropriate idiom to complete the sentences.

1. I don’t want to go out for a walk. Look! _________________________________.
2. My boss is _____________________. We can’t talk with him because he is working all the time.
3. ‘Paul, you look pale! What’s the matter?’ ‘Not much. I feel a bit ________________________.’
4. Today is my birthday. I got a lot of presents, friend are coming to celebrate with me, I am really ____________________________.

KEY:

1.b , 2.d, 3.a, 4.c

1. It’s raining cats and dogs.

2. snowed under

3. under the weather

4. on cloud nine

Intermediate:

Today you are going to learn some idioms in connection with weather.

First match the idioms with their meanings.

1. come rain or shine
2. put on ice
3. fair-weather friend
4. chase rainbows

1. jegelni
2. ál-barát
3. történjék bármi
4. álmokat kergetni, amik nem valószínű, hogy megvalósulnak

Now put the appropriate idiom to complete the sentences.

1. Well, she has turned out to be a ________________________. As soon as I lost this important job, she broke all contact with me.
2. According to the news, the deadline of this project has been postponed, so I guess we also should _________ it
3. Look, Mary! ____________________________, I’ll be at your side.
4. As far as I’m concerned, you are ______________________ by applying to university with such bad grades.

1. c, 2.a, 3.b, 4.d

1. fair-weather friend
2. put….on ice
3. Come rain or shine,
4. chasing rainbows