1

DAY AT WORK

False Cognates

In the morning I 1-_______a meeting between management and 2-_______representatives.

The discussion was very 3-_______, covering topics like working hours, days off, retirement

age, etc. Both sides were interested in an agreement and ready to c. The secretary4-

_____everything in the notes.5-_________, they decided to set a new meeting to sign the

final draft of the agreement.

Back at the6-______, a colleague of mine asked me if I had 7-_______that the proposed

agreement would be partially against the company 8-______ not to accept workers that have

already 9-_______. I 10-_______to be really busy and late for an 11-_______, and left for

the 12-_______. 13-__________, I didn't want to discuss the matter at that 14-_________

moment because there were some 15- _______in the 16-_______.

After lunch I attended a lecture given by the mayor, who is an expert in tax legislation and

has a graduate degree in political science. He said his government intends to assist welfare

programs and senior citizens, raise funds to improve college education and build a public

library, and establish tougher limits on vehicle emissions because he assumes this is what

the people expect from the government.

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Phobias

The (0) ... of Phobia Awareness Week is to highlight the difficulties that many people (1) ...

in everyday situations. It is important to (2) ... between a fear and a phobia. It's (3) ... usual

for all of us to have our own peculiar fears, for example being anxious around snakes or

nervous about flying. However, only a very small proportion of us actually have a phobia of

these things. When these fears begin to (4) ... you embarrassment or you feel that your life is

being disrupted then you would be wise to (5) ... treatment for what could potentially be a

phobia. By far the most (6) ... phobia and potentially the most disruptive is agoraphobia. The

word derives from Greek and (7) ... means 'fear of the marketplace' but we apply it today to

describe a distressing (8) ... in which people (9) ... going outside because of the awful feelings

of anxiety that arise. Treatment of phobias usually consists of the patient (10) ... behavioural

therapy during which they gradually get used to being near the object or the situation that

causes them fear. Drugs may be (11) ... to treat anxiety and many people opt for alternative

therapy such as acupuncture or hypnosis to help them come to (12) ... with their fear and

conquer it.

1- ) a) face b) confront c) meet d) join

2- ) a) choose b) distinguish c) select d) pick

3- ) a) very b) absolutely c) quite d) truly

4- ) a) cause b) make c) create d) give

5 - ) a) explore b) hunt c) search d) seek

6-) a) standard b) average c) normal d) common

7-) a) precisely b) specifically c) literally d) exactly

8-) a)illness b)condition c) disease d) injury

9-) a) dodge b) avoid c)miss d) slip

10-) a) undergoing b) taking c) experiencing d)doing

11-) a) release b)issued c) cerified d) prescribed

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Sound Advice for Language Learners

A recent (0) ...issue...... of a language learning magazine has consulted a number of experts in

the (1) ........ of second language acquisition. Their advice may prove invaluable for those

(2) ........ a language course. One suggestion is that you (3) ........... whether you are likely to

be successful at learning a language. Did you enjoy studying languages at school, for

example? Do you have enough time to learn a language? The major (4) ........ will be your

own time and effort.

If proof of your level of proficiency is important you must make sure that the course on offer

leads to a (5) ........ qualification. Also, be realistic in your (6) ...... . If you don't set achievable

aims you are more likely to give up. Do not be deceived (7) ........... thinking that the most

expensive courses are the best. (8) ........... around to get the best possible value for money.

You should also bear in mind that the quicker you learn a language the more quickly you

forget it. Sandra Miller, a French teacher, tried to teach herself German by enrolling on a

(9) .......... course. Already fluent in four languages and with a sound knowledge of teaching

methodology her chances of (10) ............ progress were high. Three years (11) ........ she

remembers very little. She feels her biggest mistake was not to follow (12) ............ her first

experience. "I should have consolidated what I'd learn by continuing to study, even if it were

by myself."

Prepare your own exercise exploring words connected to the right answers. Follow the

example below;

1) a)domain b) branch c) field d) area

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Word Formation

Read the text and then write the correct form of the word on the right. There is an

example at the beginning:

(0) knowledge

Turn A Hobby into a Business

It is not (0) unusual to make a hobby pay for itself

USUAL

even if initially you had no (1) ... of turning it INTEND

into a business.

Depending upon the hobby, the necessary (2) ... EQUIP

can be expensive and the idea of (3) ... offering items OCCASION

up for sale can at the very least help pay for the

hobby.

For those looking to make a profit on their (4) ..., CREATE

these days an audience for products can range from

the local to the truly global. Some hobbyists begin

by donating a piece of work to a (5) ... sale CHARITY

just to see how quickly and (6) ... it sells. PROFIT

Local shops can be the next outlet for items,

often the step taken by those making things like

hand-made greetings cards for instance. And for the

truly ambitious, websites like eBay enable the

hobbiest to reach a (7 ) ... audience. WORLD

As with any business idea, an honest (8) ... should be APPRAISE

undertaken regarding the demand for the work and the

price the customer is prepared to pay in (9) ... . REAL

However, do not forget the degree of personal (10) ... SATISFY

as well.

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Gapped Sentences

For questions 1-5, think of one word only which can be used appropriately in all three

sentences. Here is an example:

Could you do me a ........and hold the door open while I bring in the shopping?

All those in ........ of the proposal please raise your hand.

After being out of fashion for years the painter is now in ........ with the critics.

Example: FAVOUR

Q1 John has just taken up the ........ of Marketing Manager at a local college.

He put me in a really difficult ........ asking for money when he knows I'm not very well off.

The yoga teacher told everyone to remain in a standing ........ for 30 seconds.

Q2 Apparently, the police are going to ........ the man with assault following that fight the other

week.

I couldn't get the car to start this morning and finally had to ........ the battery as it had gone

flat.

The company have been asked to submit a proposal outlining how much they will ........ for

the consultancy work.

Q3 During the tutorial I was asked to give my........ of the portrayal of the main character in the

film.

There was a wonderful ........ from the hotel window, which looked out over beautiful

countryside.

Our son couldn't see the game as his ........ was blocked by the people in front.

Q4

I had a real ........ of achievement when I passed the exams and got my degree.

I don't see the ........ of going all the way into town when we can buy the dress locally.

Paul has a great ........ of humour and always has everyone in the office in fits of laughter.

Q5 It wasn't my ........ - the vase just fell off the table.

There was a ........ with the computer and we had to take it back to the shop to get it repaired.

The manager is always finding ........ with people and complaining about the quality of their work.

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Key' Word Transformations

For questions 1-8, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the

first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use

between three and six words, including the word given.

1. Apparently, the restaurant in town has been bought out by someone else.

UNDER

I hear the restaurant in town .........................................

2. Sarah cried her eyes out immediately she was told she'd failed her driving test.

BROKE

Sarah ........................................ soon as she heard she'd failed her driving test.

3. The Government recently said our problems are the fault of the worldwide economic

slowdown.

PLACED

The Government have ........................................ the worldwide economic slowdown for our

problems.

4. You led me to believe the job was mine if I wanted it.

IMPRESSION

I ........................................ that the job was mine if I wanted it.

5. He would never have guessed that at the age of 17 he would be playing for his country.

LITTLE

........................................ that at the age of 17 he would be playing for his country.

6. Feel free to telephone if you have any further problems.

CALL

Do not ........................................ if you have any further problems.

7. When you do decide what you want to do please let us know.

MIND

When ........................................ what you want to do please let us know.

8. Do you mind if I come over to see you later?

OBJECTION

Do you ........................................ coming over to see you later?

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Text I

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger;

neither apple nor pine in pineapple.

English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France.

Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can

work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't

ham?

If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth?

One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese?

Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of

odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

...

In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send

cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are

opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can

burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm

goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human

race, which, of course, is not a race at all.

That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are

invisible.

PS Why doesn't Buick rhyme with quick?

Anonimous text from internet

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Abbreviation, Initials and acronyms Activity

Select the correct words associated with the commonly used abbreviations, initials or

acronyms used in the following sentences.

1. The bank justified the closure of its branch with a press release stating that a

major increase in the number of ATMs in the city would take place.

a. Augmented Task Management

b. Available to Monetise

c. Automatic Teller Machine

d. Automated Till Money

2. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA in 1958, partially in

response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite the previous

year.

a. North American Space Agency

b. Nautical, Aero and Space of America

c. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

d. National Air Security Authority

3. Please complete the letter and give it to me ASAP.

a. As slowly as possible.

b. After several alternate possibilities

c. Agreed, signed and posted

d. As soon as possible

4. The soldier was severely punished for going AWOL.

a. Against the will of leadership

b. Absent without leave

c. Arguing with the order of leaders

d. Alcohol while operating laser

5. It seems overly convenient that the majority of UFO sightings are reported by

people in isolated locations, significantly reducing the possibility of

corroborating reports.

a. Unidentified flying object

b. Unexplained foreign operation

c. Unexpected flight observation

d. Unknown foreign origin

6.

VII- Select the acronym from the available options that could be used in the

following sentences.

The most recent versions of the web design software contain an easy to use what

you see is what you get editing tool.

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a. WDS

b. ETU

c. WYSIWYG

d. ET

7. Following the lengthy nature of the management meeting, the board of directors

were unsurprisingly quiet when the question was posed if anybody would like to

raise a topic of discussion under any other business.

a. BDO

b. MM

c. TOD

d. AOB

8. The progress being made in the field of robotics, particularly in respect to

artificial intelligence, is astonishing and autonomous devices capable of real

decision-making could become commonplace in the foreseeable future.

a. AI

b. AD

c. RDM

d. FF

9. Mr. Lewis' date of birth was listed as the fourth of July, 1950, in the official

register of births and deaths held by the hospital.

a. DB

b. DOB

c. RBD

d. ROBAD

10. The company director made the difficult decision regarding downsizing that the

company policy would use a last in, first out approach to selecting which

employees would be made redundant.

a. CD

b. COD

c. CP

d. LIFO

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Selecting the best word option Activity

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”

Maya Angelou

I- Fill in the gaps with words that best fit them.

English-Language TV programmes in my country

(1) ……The aim(b)………….. of this report is to comment on the popularity of imported English-

Language television programmes in my country, to explain how they are affecting local

culture and to recommend changes that could be made in the way these programmes are

shown.

Popularity of imported programmes

Approximately fifty percent of the programmes shown on TV in this country have been made

in English –speaking country and were originally in English. The popularity of these

programmes can be (2)…measure…………….. by their larger budgets, which

(3)……means…………….. they are generally more spectacular than locally made programmes

and may include internationally famous stars in their casts. On most channels, viewers can

choose which language they wish to watch the programme in, with (4)…………the

result………………. That people with a good command of English tend to watch programmes in

their original versions.

Effects on local culture

The popularity of English-language programmes has (5)……meant…………..that is hard for

local programme makers to compete, given their limited budgets. (6) …as a

consequence…………….., local culture has been heavily influenced by American values of

consumerism. Moreover, explosions of mistranslations of English-language films has (7)

……resulted…………………….. in words in our language being used with new or wrong meanings.

However, a positive effect has been that people have become more open and ready to

change (8)due to……….. the fact that they see other ways of living and thinking.

Recommended changes

I would recommend the government to subsidise national television companies (9) so

as………to encourage them to make more quality programmes.

This would have (10) …the effect…. of reducing our reliance on imported programmes while

at the same time promoting local values and culture.

1-a-) Objective b-) The aim C-) Goal D-) As

2-a-) accounted by b-) measure c-) accounted for d-) disregarded

3-a-)details b-) broadcasts c-) signify d-) means

4- a-) the result b-) originates c-) mean d-)affects

5-a-)signifies b-)meant c-) aimed d-) as a consequence

6- a-) as a consequence b-)on the other hand c-)whereas d-)yet

7-a-) due to b-) as a consequence c-)results d-) resulted

8-a-) yet b-)still c-) due to d-) therefore

9-a-) so as b-) yet c-)thus d-)Nevertheless

10-a-) affect b) effective c) the effect d-) despite

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Choose the most suitable word for each space activity

After more than fifty years of television, it might seem only obvious to conclude that it is

here to (1)…………. There have been many objections to it during this time, of course, and

(2)………a variety of grounds. Did it cause eye-strain? Was the (3)…..bombarding us with

radio-activity? Did the advertisements (4)………subliminal messages, persuading us to buy

more or vote Republican? Did children turn to violent through watching it, either because so

(5)…………programmes taught them how to shoot, rob, and kill, or because they had to do

something to counteract the hours they had (6)………….. glued to the tiny screen? Or did it

simply create a vast passive (7)………….., drugged by glamorous serials inane situation

(8)……….? On the other hand did it increase anxiety by sensationalising the news (or the

news which was (9)……. by suitable pictures) and filling our living rooms with war, famine

and political unrest? (10)………………in all, television proved to be the all purpose scapegoat

for the second half of the century, (11)……….for everything, but above all, eagerly watched.

For no (12)………..how much we despised it, feared it, were bored by it, or felt that it took us

away from the old paradise old family conversation and hobbies (13)………. As collecting

stamps, we never turned it off. We (14)…….staring at the screen, aware that our own tiny

(15)……….was in it if we looked carefully.

1- A) long B-)stay C-) exist D-) be

2- A)with B-)over C-)by D-)on

3- A-)screen B-)danger C-)machine D-)reason

4- A-)contain B-)of C-) take D-) having

5- A-)That B-)far C-)many D-) what

6- A)almost B-)spent C-)quite D-)madly

7- A-)programme B-)personality C-)audience D-)tense

8- A-)Comedies B-)programmes C-)perhaps D-)consequently

9- A-) taken B-) presented C-) capable d-)accompanied

10- A-)taken B-) all C-)somewhat d-)thus

11- A-)Broadcasting B-)looking C-) blamed D-)ready

12- A-)one B-)matter C-)difference D-) reason

13- A-)Known B-)even C-)described D-)such

14- A-)refused B-)received C-)turned D-)kept

15- A-) fault B-) reflection C-)situation D-) consciousness

Cultural content in word meanings Activity

Words and their meanings are connected in syntagmatic and paradigmatic patterns .

These patterns create networks of connections in the mind that have been variously

called ‘ schemas’ (or ‘ schemata’) , scripts and fames. When a word is encountered, the

schema that they are part of will be activated, and the network of activated meanings

becomes available to help make sense of the discourse and the words at a holistic level.

Cameron, L. 2001

Select the option with the least relevance to the given word:

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1- Media

a-)Twitter

b-)Broadcast

c-)Mass Communication

d-)Average

2- Ethics

a-) moral

b-) principles

c-) rightness and wrongness

d-) jeopardy

How Writers Achieve Effects

There are several key things that you need to be thinking about when you are trying to

establish both the effects of the writer’s language, and how the effects are achieved.

Linguistic and graphological choices reflect the audience, purpose and tone of a text.

What is the most likely purpose for the following examples?

1-) A NHS leaflet on the Flu Jab.

2-) A letter to the editor

3-) A short story

4-) An Article on Climate Change in The Guardian.

5-)‘SPAM’ e-mail about ‘stay-at-home’ jobs

a-) to inform , to argue, to entertain, to inform, to persuade

b-)to entertain, to argue, to report, to inform, to persuade

c-) to entertain, to inform, to argue, to report, to persuade

d-) to advertise, to inform, to argue, to entertain, to inform

14

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pprroocceessss ooff ppllaannnniinngg tthheeiirr wwrriittiinngg,, tthheeyy hhaavvee ttoo tthhiinnkk ccaarreeffuullllyy aabboouutt hhooww tthheeiirr lliinngguuiissttiicc aanndd

ggrraapphhoollooggiiccaall cchhooiicceess wwiillll ssuuiitt tthheeiirr iinntteennddeedd aauuddiieennccee.. IIff aa wwrriitteerr iiss ssyysstteemmaattiicc iinn tthheeiirr

lliinngguuiissttiicc cchhooiicceess tthhee tteexxttss tthheeyy aarree wwrriittiinngg tteenndd ttoo bbee ssuucccceessssffuull..

IX- The following extracts are intended for the following audience, respectively:

1- “Imagine - you're walking down the street and... you fall straight through an invisible hole in the pavement!

A teenage girl fell seven metres down a hole pavement in northern China and a passing taxi driver tried to help

her out.

But he fell in too! They were both rescued safe and sound by emergency teams.”

2-“New water restrictions now apply to properties connected to the bulk water supplies for Toowoomba

and Greenmount areas. From 11 December 2010 water restrictions eased to Permanent Conservation

Measures for all residents and businesses, allowing for many more options for use of town water “

3- “ Dear Mr Thompson,

I am writing as a response to your advertisement for an English teacher at your school. …….. I wonder

if you could be kind enough to give my letter of application the serious consideration which I feel it

deserves.

Yours Sincerely,

Jeanne Mosley”

4-“ 'You are four times more likely to quit if you use the free NHS stop smoking service. The facts are clear -

every week 2,000 people die from smoking-related diseases, which has a devastating effect on children's lives.''

The research conducted on behalf of NHS Stop Smoking Services, polled 1,000 children in England aged 8-13.

Key findings revealed 96 per cent of children questioned who had a parent who smokes wish they would quit.

Nine out of 10 children said they have never tried a cigarette, with 91 per cent of these believing that they will never try one.

Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of children whose parents smoke would rather their parents quit smoking than give them more pocket money. “

a-) Teenage Audience, The Local Residents, Parents, Senior management

b-)The local Residents, Children, Careers, Siblings’

c-)Teenage Audience, Adults local residents, Senior management ,Adults

d-)Teenage Audience, Adults, Relatives, Staff in general

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Proverbs Activity

Different strokes for different folks

Forewarned is forearmed

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

It is too good to be true.

Once bitten, twice shy

Who is worse shod than the shoemaker's wife?

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

A blessing in disguise.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Every dog has his day

Make do with what you have

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

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Acronyms Activity

Select the correct words associated with the commonly used abbreviations, initials or acronyms used in the following

sentences.

1. The bank justified the closure of its branch with a press release stating that a major increase in the number

of ATMs in the city would take place.

a. Augmented Task Management

b. Available to Monetise

c. Automatic Teller Machine

d. Automated Till Money

2. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's

launch of the first artificial satellite the previous year.

a. North American Space Agency

b. Nautical, Aero and Space of America

c. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

d. National Air Security Authority

3. Please complete the letter and give it to me ASAP.

a. As slowly as possible.

b. After several alternate possibilities

c. Agreed, signed and posted

d. As soon as possible

4. The soldier was severely punished for going AWOL.

a. Against the will of leadership

b. Absent without leave

c. Arguing with the order of leaders

d. Alcohol while operating laser

5. It seems overly convenient that the majority of UFO sightings are reported by people in isolated locations,

significantly reducing the possibility of corroborating reports.

a. Unidentified flying object

b. Unexplained foreign operation

c. Unexpected flight observation

d. Unknown foreign origin

6.

VII- Select the acronym from the available options that could be used in the following sentences.

The most recent versions of the web design software contain an easy to use what you see is what you get

editing tool.

a. WDS

b. ETU

c. WYSIWYG

d. ET

7. Following the lengthy nature of the management meeting, the board of directors were unsurprisingly quiet

when the question was posed if anybody would like to raise a topic of discussion under any other business.

a. BDO

b. MM

c. TOD

d. AOB

8. The progress being made in the field of robotics, particularly in respect to artificial intelligence, is

astonishing and autonomous devices capable of real decision-making could become commonplace in the foreseeable future.

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a. AI

b. AD

c. RDM

d. FF

9. Mr. Lewis' date of birth was listed as the fourth of July, 1950, in the official register of births and deaths

held by the hospital.

a. DB

b. DOB

c. RBD

d. ROBAD

10. The company director made the difficult decision regarding downsizing that the company policy would use

a last in, first out approach to selecting which employees would be made redundant.

a. CD

b. COD

c. CP

d. LIFO

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