tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34192786689210421192011-09-18T14:10:43.665-03:00a blog for people learning English as a foreign languageMônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.comBlogger2561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-73593747583310662582009-02-02T14:28:00.007-02:002009-02-02T14:39:23.309-02:00

Phil is no ordinary weather forecaster. This friendly groundhog from Punxsutawney, Philadelphia, has been responsible for predicting the end of the winter in the US for the past 123 years. Today, Phil once again came out of his hole to announce that he has seen his own shadow, which means people can expect six more weeks of harsh winter in the northern hemisphere. Read all about the world's most

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-48676766456056703552009-01-26T14:33:00.005-02:002009-01-26T16:12:21.104-02:00

Most people celebrate New Year on January 1st, but in many oriental cultures the New Year falls on a different day every year, because it follows a lunar calendar. Today is the beginning of the year of the Ox! Find out what the Chinese horoscope has in store for you clicking this link. Not sure what animal you are? Just check the year you were born next to each picture - I am a Rabbit!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-73939125877957029522009-01-23T10:46:00.000-02:002009-01-24T11:38:01.675-02:00

A historic moment, no question about. Barack Hussein Obama became this week the 44th president of the United States - and the first African American to do so. If you missed the inaugural ceremony last Tuesday, here's the transcript of the new president's first address to the nation (a new window will open so that you can read and listen at the same time). And you can find part 2 of the video here

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-62412151232024795712009-01-08T19:11:00.004-02:002009-01-24T11:36:21.518-02:00

Coca Cola is certainly the most famous drink in the world. But how much do you know about it? Take a look at this slideshow which tells you a bit about Coca Cola's first years and then try the game (scroll down the page and write your name in the box) to see how much you remember about what you read!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-32003395636005382372009-01-05T19:18:00.003-02:002009-01-24T11:37:08.172-02:00

This Coca Cola TV commercial was first aired at Christmas, 1984 and it has been one of its most sucessful campaigns ever. Watch the ad, read the lyrics and then try a simple memory game: how many different people can you describe in one minute?I’d like to buy the world a homeFurnish it with loveGrow apple trees, honey beesAnd snow-white turtle-dovesI’d like to teach the world to singIn perfect

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-39570486738369588942009-01-03T18:23:00.004-02:002009-01-11T18:36:46.873-02:00

Yes, I know, it's been six months already... but the Platypus is back! I've been away from the blog since last June, working on other projects, but I'm ready to start posting regularly now. We'll be back soon!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-55791841325802554132008-06-28T21:53:00.012-03:002008-06-29T08:22:27.741-03:00

Where is Canberra? In which country can you find Lake Victoria? This is a very interesting game to test how much you know about where different cities and places are located in the world. Click here and play the game! Precision, as well as speed, is very important and as you get the answers right, you are moved to a more advanced level (there are 12 altogether). Challenge your friends and see

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-11803067713211425502008-06-20T10:55:00.005-03:002008-06-20T11:10:50.050-03:00

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has chosen June 20th as the World Refugee Day. In more than 50 years, the agency has helped over 50 million people around the world, and its 6,300 staff members now work in 110 different countries giving hope to an estimated 33 million refugees. You can find more about this date visiting their page. And here is a message from actress Angelina Jolie, who

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-79953259411193972982008-06-18T17:27:00.013-03:002008-12-11T20:39:18.713-02:00

On June 18, 1908, the Japanese ship Kasato Maru arrived in Santos (SP) with the first group of Japanese immigrants. One hundred years later, Brazil and Japan celebrate the 100th anniversary of their arrival with a series of cultural events in several cities and the visit of prince Naruhito. Brazil has the biggest Japanese community outside Japan (more than 1,5 million) and their influence is

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-330477561997787392008-06-10T15:10:00.007-03:002008-06-10T15:26:35.407-03:00

This scene from the movie "The Lady and the Tramp" has been considered the most romantic in the history of the cinema! Watch the video, listen to the song and put the lyrics in the correct order!___ Oh this is the night, ___ Look at the skies, ___ The night will weave its magic spell,___ And we call it bella notte___ And the heavens are right!___ They have stars in their eyes___ You'll find

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-55148822358480150842008-06-09T20:35:00.006-03:002008-06-09T21:33:37.058-03:00

Are women more romantic than men? Well, judging from this scene taken from the American sitcom Friends, it certainly looks like it! Watch the video and think: how does Rachel describe the first time she and Ross kissed? How is it different from his description?If you are preparing for the CAE exam, here are two activities: in the first one, edit the text finding the unnecessary words. In the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-22563473085466931992008-05-30T11:15:00.004-03:002008-06-16T20:41:48.991-03:00

The Brazilian Supreme Court has given scientists the green light to carry out stem-cell research using frozen embryos. Read all about it in this New York Times article. More about stem-cell research:Stem-cell research in the US

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-23684192010229392312008-05-22T10:05:00.007-03:002008-12-11T20:39:18.890-02:00

It's fast, it's furious and it's a lot of fun! I'm talking about hurling, a very popular sport in Ireland. Have you ever seen people playing it? Take a look at this a short clip.Would you like to know more about this exciting sport? So listen to this passage which describes the origins of the game, as well as its basic rules and equipment. Then try two activities to test your comprehension. At

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-15471229632065944322008-05-17T14:39:00.005-03:002008-12-11T20:39:19.143-02:00

You want to talk to your friend. What do you usually prefer to do, phone or text message him or her? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Listen to Jake and Lindsay talking about how they feel about text messaging and choose the correct answers for the questions that appear on the screen. If you want, you can listen again and click on 'text view ON' to read the script at the same

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-13845207388977793172008-05-09T14:47:00.003-03:002008-05-09T14:50:44.353-03:00

Do you remember what mini sagas are? They are stories written in exactly 50 words. It may be a challenge to write such a short text, but it's also a lot of fun! Here are four mini sagas. The last word of each story is missing. Can you guess what they are?Check also:Writing mini sagas

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-89750624982480530672008-05-05T21:59:00.004-03:002008-05-07T09:50:30.994-03:00

Our song this time is Fergie's 'Clumsy'. Listen and then try a vocabulary activity to practise 'ways of walking'. There is a list of related verbs to help you, if you want. And if you prefer to watch Fergie's original clip, click here!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-81885995947740093982008-04-27T10:04:00.007-03:002008-12-11T20:39:19.311-02:00

What is a mini saga? A mini saga is a text with exactly 50 words in it. Writing a text in a few words may seem challenging, but here are a few examples of mini sagas, written by children: Mrs Bailey’s glasses My teacher Mrs Bailey wears a pair of spectacles. They’re rather rounded and perched there, glaring at you! One day they fell. She perched them on again. The left lens said, ‘I hate looking

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-76879130878489300252008-04-24T17:12:00.000-03:002008-04-24T00:16:23.823-03:00

You stop at the traffic lights, look at the man in the car next to yours and... could it really be true? Prince Charles driving a van? Julia Roberts at the grocery store? And how about John Lennon at the gas station? Oh, wait... wasn't he dead?Relax, they are just look-alikes, people who look a lot like some very famous people. In fact, some can be considered the spitting images of the 'original'

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-6155996723965578272008-04-21T12:51:00.008-03:002008-04-21T13:40:03.675-03:00

Maurits Cornelis Escher was an artist of impossible images. His drawings worked prefectly on the two dimensions of a sheet of paper but were impossible to exist in the real world. Some of the images show people, animals and objects that gradually turn into something completely different, while others create amazing optical illusions. 'Belvedere' is one of his most impressive works and this video

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-32042381898205069982008-04-17T11:38:00.014-03:002008-12-11T20:39:19.524-02:00

People around the globe are getting ready to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. How about you? Here is a quiz about this special date and one to check how much you know about recycling. And here's an interesting article with some important facts about the environment - take a look at the accompanying questions and see if you can find the answers!Many celebrities have embraced the cause and lent

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-79215563550765072062008-04-14T12:46:00.000-03:002008-04-14T17:33:03.658-03:00

Until fairly recently, the Brazilian cachaça used to be the drink that local people would order in bars when they couldn't afford any other kind of drink. Not any more. Aged cachaças produced in small scale are now a sophisticated product and distillers all over the country are exporting them to Europe and the U.S.. The states of Minas Gerais and Pernambuco have owned the reputation of making the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-70374611933183634222008-04-09T14:08:00.009-03:002008-12-11T20:39:19.694-02:00

Here are some grammar activities to give you further practice in the use of for and since. First, click here to decide whether you should use 'for' or 'since' with the time expressions. Then put the words in the right order to form sentences. Finally, read these questions and write the answers on your notebook. Then click on the boxes to see the correct answer. If you need help, check the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-74228706222468535132008-04-08T15:28:00.011-03:002008-12-11T20:39:19.950-02:00

by Flávia J.The 'Comida di Buteco' is back. The 9th edition of the famous gastronomic festival begins next Friday, 11th April, with 41 bars from different parts of the city participating. Like it happened in other years, bars are judged by customers and receive prizes for their food, quality of service, cold beer and cleaness. There are also shows programed for the 31 days of the event and

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-66777677829197936422008-04-07T16:40:00.003-03:002008-12-11T20:39:20.425-02:00

Americans will choose a new president this year. Test your vocabulary connected with elections trying this BBC quiz!Check also:U.S. elections: how Americans vote

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-75177402836028639962008-04-03T15:08:00.014-03:002008-12-11T20:39:20.658-02:00

It's impossible to talk about any civil rights movement without mentioning his name. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister from Atlanta, Georgia, became one of the most important symbols of the fight to end racial discrimination in the U.S. in the 1950s and 1960s and became the youngest person ever to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. His words and his ideas are still as alive today as

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-51726835143174721162008-04-02T15:08:00.003-03:002008-04-07T14:45:36.934-03:00

Even 40 years after his assassination in Tennessee, Martin Luther King's words and ideas still echo and inspire us all. This is U2's tribute to one of the greatest men of our time and one of the world's most important civil rights activists.One man come in the name of love One man come and go One man come, he to justifyOne man to overthrow In the name of love What more in the name of loveIn the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-42463583477276449042008-04-02T10:47:00.000-03:002008-12-11T20:39:20.798-02:00

It seems like yesterday, doesn't it? But our blog is celebrating its first anniversary today! In the past 365 days (oops... 366, 2008 is a leap year!) over 10,500 people have been visiting us, reading our posts, sending their comments and trying the activities suggested. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and invite you to keep coming back!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-56020660208539784592008-04-01T02:37:00.002-03:002008-12-11T20:39:20.896-02:00

A UFO landing in London. The unknown island of San Serriffe. Instant colour TV. These are just some of the most memorable April Fool's Day pranks you can find at the Museum of Hoaxes. And what if we could find spaghetti trees? (watch the video here)To celebrate April Fool's Day in style, try this wordsearch! You can also answer this quiz published by the Guardian, and learn more about this funny

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-84734579470967904652008-03-31T16:27:00.004-03:002008-12-11T20:39:21.216-02:00

Here's a quick activity to revise the use of question words (who, what, where, etc.). Read each sentence and write the missing word(s) in the gaps. Then check your answers clicking in 'comments' on this post! How many did you get?

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-58956504336606643162008-03-29T13:35:00.002-03:002008-12-11T20:39:21.998-02:00

It all started last year, when Sydneysiders decided to turn off their lights at exactly 8 pm in the most populous Australian city to raise people's awareness of environmental issues. The initiative was a great success and this year 26 major cities and 300 other towns around the world have embraced the campaign and promised to turn off the lights of their monuments, streets and houses. Read about

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-74886560196029631982008-03-23T06:08:00.001-03:002008-03-23T15:49:48.812-03:00

A dozen funny eggs get boiled and coloured just to wish you a Happy Easter! :-)

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-53996560289243650642008-03-22T13:42:00.007-03:002008-12-11T20:39:22.278-02:00

It's Easter time and here are a few activities to have fun and practise your vocabulary!- an Easter vocabulary game with audio (for beginners);- an Easter quiz (also for beginners)- an Easter hangman game- a listening activity (for pre-intermediate students). Listen to Joel talking about the origins of Easter and choose the correct answer for each part.Happy Easter!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-73011768755396121892008-03-22T11:05:00.004-03:002008-03-22T11:25:00.580-03:00

Over 1 million visitors in less than a week. The latest instant hit in YouTube is, apparently, a promotional video for the movie Quarantine, to be released worldwide later this year. However, the video doesn't make any reference to the film; in fact, it looks like some ordinary shot made by someone who happened to have a camera in hand, so viewers have been wondering what the whole sequence is

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-37794984363071750662008-03-20T10:14:00.016-03:002008-12-11T20:39:22.587-02:00

Three impotant British personalities have died this week: Anthony Minghella, Arthur C. Clarke and Paul Scofield. Who were they? Click on their names to read about their work and lives and then try this short matching activity.See also:Movie review: The English PatientPaul Scofield: a man for all seasonsArthur C. Clarke: a video talk

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-41648652071721217582008-03-15T11:21:00.010-03:002008-12-11T20:39:22.871-02:00

Irish people and Irish descendants everywhere celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. It's a happy, noisy celebration with street parades, Guinness beer, parties and the best traditional Irish music!How much do you know about the date? You can learn a lot about it and about Irish traditions clicking here. Then try this matching activity and revise some words connected with the Irish culture.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-31058181975573463152008-03-10T22:23:00.004-03:002008-12-11T20:39:23.141-02:00

What do you call a person who only thinks about him/herself? What about someone you can rely on? Revise some common adjectives describing character trying this BBC quiz (intermediate) or this multiple-choice activity (advanced level). Then try and match some of those characteristics with the 12 star signs of the zodiac! Do you fit the description?

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-71899568913486755772008-03-08T12:12:00.007-03:002008-12-11T20:39:23.285-02:00

If you enjoy nature and going for long walks, here's a place to visit next time you are in England. The Dales Way is a beautiful path in the north part of the country which attracts tourists and travellers from all over the world. One of them was photographer Kevin Rushby, who made a beautiful slideshow using pictures he took while visiting the region. When the link page opens, click on the 'play

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-3158620162451752052008-03-04T09:25:00.001-03:002008-12-11T20:39:23.495-02:00

Some English words are easily confused. This may happen because they are homophones (they sound the same but have different spelling and meaning), or maybe because they sound or look like a word in our own language - they are 'false friends'. Here are different activities to help you revise and practise some of these words. First, a short quiz to match similar words to their meanings. You can

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-55182591171906740662008-03-02T11:45:00.008-03:002008-03-02T12:10:42.494-03:00

Bossa nova fans - old and new - are celebrating 50 years of a music genre that has influenced artists everywhere. A concert was held on Saturday at Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro, with some of the most famous bossa nova icons joining in. To celebrate the occasion, here's a true timeless classic: Astrud Gilberto singing Tom Jobim's "Girl from Ipanema".Tall and tanned and young and lovelyThe girl

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-36567587595882069472008-03-01T10:57:00.014-03:002008-12-11T20:39:23.634-02:00

Next time your teacher or boss catches you sleeping at your desk, tell him or her that you are following expert's advice and taking a nap to improve your memory! A recent study conducted by scientists in Israel indicates that a quick afternoon sleep can actually do wonders for your long-term memory and help you remember important information more easily. But different people have different daily

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-24326101325700346832008-02-29T17:38:00.005-03:002008-12-11T20:39:23.870-02:00

Sonya Worthy, an American in San Francisco (CA), goes around the city photographing people and talking to them about their reading habits and the books they are reading at that moment. She then posts the information on her interesting blog People Reading. Why not visit her site and leave a comment? Read also:Shelfari: a community for book lovers

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-22340329227504853952008-02-27T15:23:00.004-03:002008-12-11T20:39:24.024-02:00

This is a vocabulary game to test your knowledge of some fairly advanced words. Look at each pair and decide if they share similar meanings or express opposite ideas. When you get the answer right, the words turn blue; wrong answers show the words in red.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-85093220838194257552008-02-26T22:06:00.006-03:002008-12-11T20:39:24.187-02:00

Here's an activity to help you practise for the CAE exam, paper 3 (English in Use). Look at the gapped article about music piracy on the internet. First, read the text to have an overall idea and then click on each number to choose the word that best completes each gap. When you finish, check your answers.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-69700677536005862702008-02-23T20:31:00.003-03:002008-12-11T20:39:24.307-02:00

Salvador is one of the most fascinating Brazilian cities, and one of the country's favourite holiday destinations. Full of history and culture, the capital of Bahia was recently the subject of an interesting article published in the New York Times, focusing on some famous - and not so famous - tourist sights.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-53111550785787570832008-02-20T15:16:00.001-03:002008-12-11T20:39:24.443-02:00

- He went to bed early because he was tired. - He was tired so he went to bed early.Revise the use of because and so - and other words that express cause and result - trying these activities, one at pre-intermediate and the other at intermediate level.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-65749338331145708302008-02-13T16:19:00.004-02:002008-12-11T20:39:24.652-02:00

Looking for ideas on how to spend your Valentine's Day? Not sure what present to buy for her or him? Listen to this passage and check out the suggestions. After each part, there's a pause; choose the picture that best corresponds to what the speaker says.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-1089171400535155282008-02-11T18:24:00.000-02:002008-02-11T18:17:43.719-02:00

We all know the romantic story of Romeo and Juliet, but have you ever heard the true story of Abelard and Heloise? Click here and discover why they too are a symbol of everlasting love.Do you celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th? Here's an interesting page describing how people around the world celebrate this very special date.Here's a little test: how many 'valentine words' can you find in

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-1096663733282597962008-02-11T18:06:00.000-02:002008-02-11T18:16:17.178-02:00

This lovely Beatles' song talks about loving each other and growing old together. Read the lyrics as you listen to it and decide: who is speaking, the guy or the girl? How does he/she see their life together when they are older?

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-12256482972918211432008-02-04T16:24:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:24.832-02:00

Wherever you are in Brazil this week, it will be impossible to ignore the country's most famous celebration. More than 750 thousand tourists are spending Carnival in Rio de Janeiro this year and hundreds of thousands more are joining the party in cities like Salvador and Recife. Here is a BBC article about this year's samba schools parade. Click on 'watch' under the picture next to the text to

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-87363179339853292262008-02-03T11:44:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:25.270-02:00

by Ronaldo NazaréThis short post is a suggestion of a classical music radio, the baroque webcast. Note that I am far from being an expert at this type of music. But who cares?After long days (and nights) of hard work I realized I needed a different booster to my brain. We always do! I have been trying a few strategies to become more productive, such as coffee (obviously, still very important &

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-10650571980773895802008-02-01T11:58:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:25.449-02:00

Forget weather forecasters: on February 2nd it is Phil, the groundhog from Punxsutawney who will tell you how long winter will last this year. Thousands of people visit the little town in Pennsylvania (U.S.) every year for this traditional celebration, which can also be seen in the Hollywood movie Groundhog Day. Learn more about this year's event visiting the official website and reading this

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-52031493522496001282008-01-30T08:49:00.002-02:002008-12-11T20:39:25.576-02:00

Americans are getting ready to elect a new president and this year the race to the White House started earlier than usual, with Democrat and Republican candidates fighting to be nominated to officially represent their political parties in November. The dispute seems to be between senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on one side and John McCain and Mitt Romney on the Republicans' side. On

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-78560207559821520802008-01-24T22:36:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:25.726-02:00

The small town of Tiradentes, in Minas Gerais, used to be a very quiet place until about a decade ago, with its narrow cobblestone streets, colonial houses and baroque churches. It is still relatively peaceful most of the time but things change twice a year, when tourists from all over the country flock to the 18th century mining village for the International Film Festival in January and the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-73907826087162293932008-01-21T16:37:00.004-02:002008-12-11T20:39:25.921-02:00

Martin Luther King Day is celebrated in the U.S. on the third Monday of January. Stevie Wonder wrote a very beautiful song about that, and this is our song this week. You can click here to get the lyrics (opens on a new window). Other posts:Martin Luther King's dreamSong: Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-86719819285709260052008-01-18T14:27:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:26.165-02:00

Like any other language, everyday English is full of colloquial expressions and slang. Coursebooks don't always introduce them to students, but movies and songs can be a great source of this kind of vocabulary. Here is an interesting quiz to try: look at the pictures illustrating different expressions, read the sentences and choose the correct meaning. There are several levels to try!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-61133473524628666972008-01-14T07:13:00.000-02:002008-01-24T23:20:28.770-02:00

What do Leonardo da Vinci, Mel Brooks and Monty Python have in common? Well, they all have come up with their own version of The Last Supper. It's interesting how one same theme can lend itself to some very different interpretations!Artists, however, occasionally have a hard time trying to explain their creative work to other people! Watch this funny sketch with British group Monty Python about a

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-30664261937233108082008-01-11T11:50:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:26.406-02:00

Cycling to work or school is not only good exercise, but also environmentally-friendly and an effective way of arriving faster at your destination. But in big urban centres, it can also be dangerous. Portland (OR), in the United States, is proud of being one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country and it's now taking new measures to improve bikers' safety. Read all about the new plans in

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-5936682185285742182008-01-08T09:53:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:26.656-02:00

Not many people are lucky enough to visit Italy and see Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper up close. The 15th century mural underwent a major restoration process which took over 20 years and aimed to restore the masterpiece to its original form and colours. Until now, if you wanted to see it, you would have to book well in advance, as only a limited number of visitors are allowed in the room at one

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-45849763929621710792008-01-06T12:38:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:26.947-02:00

How did people celebrate Christmas and New Year's in England and Scotland? Watch this video made by Renée Maufroid and find out! It is particularly suitable for students at more elementary levels, but I'm sure you will all enjoy it! ;-)See also:Christmas traditions

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-81049766851440595382008-01-05T10:58:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:27.230-02:00

Oklahoma City is among the '10 fattest cities' in the United States. And with an official state meal that includes cornbread, sausage and gravy, chicken fried steak and pecan pie, mayor Mick Cornett thought the beginning of a new year was the right time for a radical New Year's resolution. He has challenged Oklahoma City residents to lose 1 million pounds (a little less than 500 thousand kilos!)

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-50744917893147468322008-01-04T10:02:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:27.444-02:00

Ready to enjoy your holidays? It's summer in the southern hemisphere, and here are some activities related to the world of travelling. How about doing some listening practice? Listen to a man talking about his family's travel preferences and match the people to the right places.Looking for some vocabulary activities? Here's a simple crossword puzzle to revise some of the most common words, and a

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-19236534772457832462008-01-03T11:50:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:27.855-02:00

Have you ever wondered what happens to your bags once they're checked in at the airport? Here is an interesting article, in which a former baggage handler reveals what really goes on once your luggage disappears behind the airline company counter.So how can you get ready for a trip? Watch an interview with Joel Widzer, a travel strategist, who tells you some do's and dont's when packing and how

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-90021417028352878502008-01-02T12:31:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:28.040-02:00

Do you ever make resolutions at the beginning of a new year? Listen to Fred, from Canada, and his friend Sabriya, from Oman, talking about New Year's resolutions, and then answer the questions in the quiz. If you want to read the script while you listen to their conversation, click "text view ON".Check alsoNext year I'm going to...Phrasal verbs activityWhen losing a million pounds is a good thing

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-58768112277926628632008-01-01T14:32:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:28.159-02:00

New year, new plans... What new places would you like to travel to this year? Here are, according to The New York Times, the 53 sights you can't miss in 2008, like the Maraú Península (photo) and Itacaré, in the south of Bahia, in Brazil. From far-away, exotic locations to well-known cosmopolitan cities, from desert tropical beaches to sophisticated ski resorts, there are options for every kind

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-68079234247300381492007-12-29T13:22:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:28.495-02:00

by Adriana KakehasiFilm: The English Patient, 1996Screenplay and direction: Anthony MinghellaWith: Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List), Juliette Binoche (Chocolate), Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott ThomasSoundtrack: Gabriel Yared (Betty Blue)Based on the novel of the same title by Michael OndaatjeAt the end of the Second World War, we can say that two stories go on vividly at the same time. The first is

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-52977809103601606562007-12-27T21:27:00.000-02:002007-12-26T19:04:24.069-02:00

Auld Lang Syne is sometimes called "the song everybody knows and no one knows the lyrics". It is sung on December 31st in most English speaking countries (but not only there!) and it is a very traditional New Year's song. The lyrics were written by Scottish poet Robert Burns based on an old tune he heard, and the title - in Scottish English - means something like "times gone by".Here's Aretha

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-52181668411743017242007-12-26T11:25:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:28.818-02:00

On the last week of the year a lot of people like to sit down and reflect on their lives, making plans for the next year. Do you ever make a list with your New Year's resolutions? Have you decided what you are - or aren't - going to do next year? According to different studies, people's lists tend to be remarkably similar in their general goals. Can you guess the top 10 list of New Year's

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-54890417724018267812007-12-25T18:24:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.066-02:00

Here's a little story about New Year's to practise some important phrasal verbs in English. For each blank, think about the correct particle to complete the verbs. Then click on the box to check your answers.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-75152778480363096132007-12-21T08:41:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.243-02:00

by Felipe CoserFILM: The Green MileUnited States, 1999DIRECTOR: Frank DarabontWRITERS: Frank Darabont (screenplay), Stephen King (novel)GENRE: DramaRUNTIME: 188 minCAST: Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Clarke Duncan, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Grahan Greene, Doug Hutchison, Sam Rockwell, Bary Pepper, Jefrey Demunn, Patricia Clarkson, Harry Dean Stanton, Dabbs Greer, Eve

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-29295431374265209752007-12-19T17:33:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.393-02:00

by Fernanda W. Here in Brazil we’re approaching to summer holidays and if you’re looking for a good book to read, don’t miss John Grisham’s The Innocent Man. In fact, this is not really a new book – it was released almost a year ago, but it is his most recent one (at least here) - and didn’t get the coverage it deserves, again, at least in our country. And with the banning of death penalty in New

fernandanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-77541852324887280532007-12-18T12:56:00.000-02:002007-12-19T19:24:56.270-02:00

"12 Days of Christmas" is one of the most traditional Christmas carols in English. Here is a ight-hearted version featuring The Muppets and John Denver. Unfortunately, the video with the best quality has been removed from the original page...Merry Christmas everyone!!!On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me A partridge in a pear tree. On the second day of Christmas my true love gave

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-61885456576958068962007-12-17T22:05:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.553-02:00

The song "12 days of Christmas" mentions two types of numbers: counting (natural) numbers like one, two, three, etc. and ordinal numbers - first, second, third, etc. Here are some activities to revise their use:- match the ordinal numbers to their names- answer a quiz with some common words and expressions related to numbers Try also:Listening activities: numbers

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-76979532276635580372007-12-16T20:30:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.686-02:00

by Frederico FonsecaUnited States, 2003 Running Length: 1:55MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence)Cast: Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly, Ethan Embry, Anna Friel, Rossif Sutherland, David Thewlis, Matt Craven, Neal McDonoughDirector: Richard Donner (Ladyhawke)Producers: Richard Donner, Lauren Shuler Donner, Jim Van WyckScreenplay: Jeff Maguire and George Nolfi, based on

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-64568468042198107682007-12-14T21:18:00.000-02:002007-12-14T12:03:00.062-02:00

by Aline S. / slideshow: Bernardo C.The Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer is celebrating his 100th birthday on December 15th. He is one of the most important architects of all time. There are examples of his work in many cities in Brazil and around the world and you can see some of them in the slideshow. He was responsible for the design of most public buildings during the construction of

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-29695846442503422852007-12-14T11:54:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:29.812-02:00

How many words related to types of houses/accommodation can you find in this grid? There are 12 words hidden; they may be found vertically, horizontally or diagonally. To highlight a word, click on the first letter, drag the mouse and click again on the last letter of the word. If it's correct, it will turn green and the word will be crossed from the list. Then match the words you've found to

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-74273672793696284442007-12-13T11:29:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:30.147-02:00

It's Christmas time! How about trying some vocabulary activities related to this very special date? First, take a look at this great game for basic level students; first, click on 'review' to listen and learn the words (don't forget to turn your speakers on!); then play the game and help decorate the Christmas tree! You can also try and find some common Christmas words in this wordsearch, or

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-39562026641800153862007-12-12T12:42:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:30.310-02:00

by Saulo Saturnino FILM: RUMBLE FISH 1982 Universal Studios.DIRECTOR: Francis Ford CoppolaCAST: Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper, Vincent Spano, Diana Scarwid.LENGTH: 94 minutes.Based in the novel by S.E. HintonSCREENPLAY: S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola.PRODUCERS: Fred Roos and Doug ClayborneMovies represent a particular form of art that uses images,

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-68632684180097708712007-12-11T11:49:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:30.555-02:00

Belo Horizonte is celebrating its 110th anniversary on December 12th. Designed to replace Ouro Preto as the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, it is today a bustling city with over 2.5 million inhabitants and all the services (and problems) one would expect to see in a city that failed to grow in the orderly fashion that was originally planned.How much has the city changed? Well, take a look

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-3688821666089107792007-12-10T15:56:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.004-02:00

by Fernanda WatanabeBrazilian writer Jorge Amado, the famous author of Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands, refused to watch the adaptations of his novels to the small screen because he said that his stories couldn't be recognized. Check it out if Frances Mayes should do the same about the adaptation of her book UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN to the big screen.The book: Under the Tuscan Sun is Frances Mayes'

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-56198434769636463352007-12-09T13:55:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.146-02:00

By Leticia Peixoto.United States, 2006 Running Time: 148 Minutes Rating: PG - 13 Director: Ron Howard Casting: Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon); Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu); Ian McKellen (Sir Leigh Teabing); Alfred Molina (Bishop Aringarosa) Screenwriter: Akiva Goldsman Producer: Brian Grazer Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code (published in 2003) is second only to the Harry Potter series as the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-11711704391694974432007-12-08T12:24:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.463-02:00

Do you and your family have any Christmas traditions? Do you decorate the house, exchange presents, sing carols? What do you know about how different cultures celebrate this date? Here is a website that lists Christmas traditions in various countries. You can also listen to Anya and her friend talking about decorating Christamas trees in their countries. Try the activity and then listen to the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-88412642743167203142007-12-06T20:59:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.732-02:00

Things you can do to help our planet: walk to work or ride your bike; drive hybrid cars; recycle; use energy-efficient resources; stay married. Yes, divorce is bad for the environment, according to a recent study published in an academic journal. The reason is simple: more family break-ups would mean people living in separate houses, and that would mean higher use of resources such as water and

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-26546572439553025052007-12-05T16:25:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.848-02:00

Have you ever got stuck trying to find a different word to express an idea? The more advanced you become, the more you need to make use of a wider range of vocabulary to be able to 'say the same thing in a different way'. That's why synonyms are so important! Here is an activity at advanced level to help you practise synonyms.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-46082949580051119282007-12-03T09:57:00.000-02:002007-12-19T16:00:30.102-02:00

Christmas 1984. A group of British pop stars, led by Irish singer Bob Geldof, get together in London to record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise money for the victims of famine in Ethiopia. Not only was the song a hit but the initiative paved the way to other projects mixing pop culture and social and humanitarian causes. Here is the original clip, featuring some of the most popular British

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-82856319301626645042007-12-03T07:34:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:31.986-02:00

The idea of recording a song to raise money for the people of Ethiopia started with Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984. Geldof played in a relatively successful rock band, the Boomtown Rats, and was better known for playing the main role in the Pink Floyd movie "The Wall" (1982). Here is Bob Geldof's biography; decide which preposition - IN, ON or AT - best completes each gap in the text.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-29784823331975362792007-11-30T18:51:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:32.133-02:00

December is a very busy month, isn't it? We usually have many things to do, and not much time to do them! We want to buy Christmas presents to many of our friends and family, but sometimes we don't have much money... And, of course, there are many parties to go to (but remember, don't drink too much beer!). Do you remember when we should use many or much? Take a look at this quiz and choose the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-71415158202239518612007-11-29T11:39:00.000-02:002007-12-16T17:47:01.139-02:00

In 1988, the UN and the World Health Organization established December 1st as World Aids Day. Since then, a series of events are organised on this day to raise people's awareness to the problem and invite society as a whole to participate actively in the discussions for solutions. Here is a three-level quiz to check how much we know about Aids. The theme this year is Leadership and here is one of

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-35887617960748404852007-11-28T14:22:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:32.337-02:00

“If you publish a scientific paper it is very hard to start a nationwide debate about something. If you do this in a movie, you can start a debate." And initiate a debate was what Brazilian director José Padilha intended when he made Tropa de Elite (Elite Squad), a film that discusses urban violence and drug traficking from a police officer's point of view. It's the most talked about movie in

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-60471670238343041892007-11-27T17:35:00.001-02:002008-12-11T20:39:32.531-02:00

Looking for a place to go in the summer? Benji Lanyado, from the British newspaper the Guardian, explores the beauty and relaxed atmosphere of Florianópolis, in the south of Brazil, a city that boasts fantastic beaches and incredibly friendly people!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-85650343098400524512007-11-26T18:06:00.000-02:002007-11-27T19:41:13.827-02:00

Look at the slideshow below. It shows 10 different circus performers. Who are they? Choose from the list below, then click on comments to check your answers.acrobat - clown - contortionist - fire eater - juggler - lion tamer - magician - ring master - tight-rope walker - trapeze artist

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-16539489305682245012007-11-26T17:19:00.000-02:002007-11-27T19:42:02.140-02:00

It's impossible to resist the magical appeal of a circus like the Cirque du Soleil. Once again touring the country, the group has taken the world of circus performance to a whole new level. But when was the Cirque created? How many shows are currently on? How many people have seen them? In how many countries? How many people work at the circus? How many countries do they represent? Watch the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-73097189684279387512007-11-26T17:10:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:32.704-02:00

Lars and Barbara talk about what she did on her birthday. Read the dialogue and complete the sentences with the missing words which appear on the list. When you finish, click on 'check' to see the answers.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-74609846410990338202007-11-23T16:00:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:32.915-02:00

If you are preparing for the TOEFL exam (and even if you're not...), here is an interesting activity. One of the four underlined structures in each sentence is incorrect. Decide which letter (A, B, C or D) is wrong and click on your answer - the 'hint' box will give you the grammar explanation according to your choice.

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-44394682830417276292007-11-23T15:03:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:33.086-02:00

Christmas arrived a little earlier this year to Frederico and Kátia, with the arrival of their most precious gift! Congratulations on the birth of little baby girl Julia! May she be blessed with love, happiness and good health!

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-59673315973449713692007-11-22T09:38:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:33.222-02:00

Here's a nice quick activity to revise irregular past forms in English. Read each question and answer writing the correct past form of each verb. If the answer is correct, it will appear in the sentence. If it is wrong, the box will turn red and you can try again. If you need help, you can click on the HINT button (but they won't give you the answer!) or check the list of irregular verbs. Have

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-16878303862054002912007-11-20T14:40:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:33.447-02:00

One of the most popular holidays in the U.S. is Thanksgiving. It began when the first pilgrims, who left Europe and arrived in America in 1620, held a celebration to give thanks for their harvest after a very cold and difficult winter. It is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and it's the time when American families get together to enjoy a traditional dinner.Here is a text about

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-65011022532363541132007-11-20T13:22:00.002-02:002008-04-01T16:57:40.085-03:00

This is not originally a Thanksgiving song - it was written for the 1970 musical Godspell - but it talks about being thankful and appreciating the simple, beautiful things we have in our lives.We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the landBut it is fed and watered by God's almighty handHe sends us snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grainThe breezes and the sunshine, and soft

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-87203783514044481672007-11-19T13:36:00.000-02:002008-01-04T10:47:32.804-02:00

This is a very interesting video showing some of the most famous film stars in the history of film making, from the early days with Mary Pickford to present time with Halle Berry. How many actresses do you recognize? Click on 'comments' to get the complete list! If you liked it, take a look at a similar 'exercise' using face morph animation, this time dedicated to women in art. Read alsoHow the

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-90444608276674371262007-11-10T18:55:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:33.682-02:00

Hi everyone! We're taking a short break this week, so this is the perfect time for you to explore some of our past posts! You will find lots and lots of different activities on various levels, songs and articles checking our BLOG ARCHIVE section (on the right column). Feel free to browse, try a bit of everything and make comments and suggestions. And why not visit our pages about cinema and

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3419278668921042119.post-50542949327789327522007-11-10T18:49:00.000-02:002008-12-11T20:39:33.824-02:00

Even native speakers occasionally have problems with their own language... Look at the sentences in this quiz and choose the correct option for each one. Careful, some of them are tricky! :-)

Mônicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06522167168276899775noreply@blogger.com0