Oral skills. Listening & speaking practice

 Speaking activity

Stories of school and education – B1 English Listening Test

Personal Work Stories – B1 English Listening Test

Talking About Money – B1 English Listening Test

Famous sports cheating scandals – B1 English Listening Test

Weird driving rules (Modal verbs) – B1 English Listening Test

Borough Market – B1 English Listening Test

York, England: a medieval town – B1 English Listening Test

How do you travel to work? – B1 English Listening Test

Stories of relationships – B1 English Listening Test

How do you keep fit? – B1 English Listening Test

Living with your ex after a break-up – B1 English Listening Test

Are exams necessary? – B1 English Listening Test

Why Saint Patrick’s day went global – B1 English Listening Test

Stonehenge – B1 English Listening Test

500-year-old paintings from Raphael found – B1 English Listening Test

Children: New billionaires - B1 English Listening Test

Halloween history – B1 English Listening Test

How to fuel the future – B1 English Listening Test

When will humans get to Mars? – B1 English Listening Test

Why do languages die? – B1 English Listening Test

Biography of Albert Einstein – B1 English Listening Test

Roads made of plastic waste – B1 English Listening Test

Is this the safest place in the world? – B1 English Listening Test

The most dangerous church in the world – B1 English Listening Test

Burgers made of insects – B1 English Listening Test

Family expecting their 17th child – B1 English Listening Test

Secret underground city – B1 English Listening Test

The woman behind the voice of Siri – B1 English Listening Test

Reported speech revision

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/reported-speech-indirect-speech/

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/reported-speech-exercise-1.html

https://www.liveworksheets.com/w/en/english-second-language-esl/1687883

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/5353281/reported-speech

Discoursive Essays: For and Against writing

https://en.ppt-online.org/284818

Useful expressions and linking words/phrases

• To list points:
Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally
• To list advantages:
One/Another/A further/An additional (major) advantage of… is … The main/greatest/first advantage of… is …
• To list disadvantages:
One/Another/ A further/An additional (major) disadvantage/drawback of. The main/greatest/most serious/first disadvantage /drawback of… Another negative aspect of…
• To introduce points/arguments for or against:
One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of… / against, 

A further common criticism of… / It could be argued that…..
often claimed/suggested
It is widely argued maintained that…..
generally felt/believed/held

Some/many/most people/experts/scientist/skeptics/critics
claim/suggest/argue/feel that…
maintain/believe/point out/agree/hold that…
advocate (+ing/noun)/support the view that…
oppose the view that…
are in favour of/against…
are of the opinion that/convinced that…
are opposed to…

• To add more points to the same topic:
in addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart from, what is more, as well as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only … but also/as well, both … and, There is another side to the issue/question/argument of…

• To make contrasting points:
on the other hand, however, still, yet, but, nonetheless, nevertheless, even so,
it may be said/argued/claimed that,…
others/many people oppose this viewpoint/strongly disagree…, claim/feel/believe this argument is incorrect/misguided
although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that
Opponents of … argue/believe/claim that…
The fact that… contradicts the belief/idea that…
While it is true to say that…, in fact…
While/Although …, it cannot be denied that…

• To introduce examples:
for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular, particularly, especially, This is (clearly) illustrated/shown by the fact that… One/A clear/striking/ typical example of (this)… The fact that…. shows/illustrates that…
• To emphasise a point:
clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed
• To express reality:
In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect
• To make general statements:
as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most cases
• To make partially correct statements:
to a certain extent/degree, to some extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but), to a limited extent, there is some truth in (this), in some cases, up to a point
• To explain/clarify a point:
in other words, that is to say, this/which means that
• To express cause: 

owing to, due to (the fact that), on account of, on the grounds that, given that, because, as, since
• To express effect: 

therefore, thus, as a result/consequence, consequently, so, for this reason, if… were to happen, … the effect/result would be…
• To express intention: 

to, so as to, in order to, so that, with the intention of (+ing)

One/A clear/striking/ typical example of (this)… The fact that…. shows/illustrates that…
• To emphasise a point:
clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed
• To express reality:
In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect
• To make general statements:
as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most cases
• To make partially correct statements:
to a certain extent/degree, to some extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but), to a limited extent, there is some truth in (this), in some cases, up to a point
• To explain/clarify a point:
in other words, that is to say, this/which means that
• To express cause: 

owing to, due to (the fact that), on account of, on the grounds that, given that, because, as, since
• To express effect: 

therefore, thus, as a result/consequence, consequently, so, for this reason, if… were to happen, … the effect/result would be…
• To express intention: 

to, so as to, in order to, so that, with the intention of (+ing)

Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/opinion indirectly

In conclusion,
On balance,
All things considered,
Taking everything into account/consideration,
To conclude,
To sum up,
All in all,
Finally/Lastly,

- it can be said/claimed that …
- it seems/appears that…
- it would seem that…
-it is likely/unlikely/possible/foreseeable that …
- it is clear/obvious that…
-. there is no/little doubt that …
- it is true to say that …
- although it must be said that …
- it may be concluded/said that …

Examples of content organised: DISCUSSION / DISCOURSIVE ESSAYS:

• PROS AND CONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
• ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ANIMAL TESTING

• MASS TOURISM. There are many types of mass tourism, including skiing in the mountains, sunbathing on a beach, visiting a theme park (e.g. Euro Disney) or taking a cruise. Governments and local people often support mass tourism because it generates a lot of income for local areas.

  ADVANTAGES
  1)  Jobs are generated by tourism in many areas – in the initial construction of the resorts, in travel, in food provision and in other service related industries.
  2) Local people benefit directly from employment
  3)  Roads, rail, facilities, electricity services etc. all need improving to accommodate the tourists – local people also benefit from these INFRASTRUCTURE developments.
  4)  Transport facilities are developed
  5)  The local tax base increases so the local government/council can invest in schools, healthcare and social services.
  6)  Tourists introduce new values and cultures and learn about new cultures- this causes cultural UNDERSTANDING
  DISADVANTAGES
  1)  This can result in a lot of profits leaving the country.
  2  Jobs can be seasonal – especially in beach and skiing based resorts. People can therefore find themselves out of work in the close season.
  3)  Tourists consume huge amounts of resources including food and water – this type of tourism is particularly UNSUSTAINABLE in this manner.
  4)  Tourists introduce new values and cultures – this causes cultural pollution.
  5)  Land is lost from farming to tourist developments.

SPEAKING TASK:

Choose one of these topics and record your answer in a voice message indicating name/group and email. Remember to organise the content, use linking words and give both sides of the argument and your final view. Deadline Friday 30th May.

For and against essay topics

1. Having a role model can affect someone negatively.
2. Should dyed hairstyles be allowed in school?
3. Social media – a blessing or a curse?
4. It’s possible to learn to love somebody.
5. You don’t need a college degree to be successful.
6. Your past does not define you.
7. Do you prefer watching films at home or going to the movies?
8. Should there be a mandatory number of trees per square kilometer?
9. Should people older than 65 be able to drive?
10. Should healthcare be state-owned or privatized?
11. Is immortality a blessing or a curse?
12. Should self-driving cars be illegal?
13. Should sharing fake news and false information on the Internet be severely punished?
14. Should students do a part-time job while they are still studying?
15. Sessions with a therapist should be mandatory for kids and teens
16. Every country in the world should ban cigarettes.
17. Every country in the world should stop producing and selling plastic bags and bottles.
18. Field trips to prisons should be mandatory to help lower the crime rate.
19. Scientists should pair people up for marriage based on DNA.
20. A new universal language should be taught in every school.
21. Should universities be apolitical?
22. Should the state have more control over our privacy?

Introduction

Paragraph 1: state topic (summary of the topic without giving your opinion)

Main Body

Paragraph 2: arguments for & justifi¬cations, examples, and/ or reasons

Paragraph 3: arguments against & justification, examples, and/or reasons

Conclusion

Final Paragraph: balanced consideration/ your opinion directly or indirectly

Grammar review: Passive voice

 Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

• the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
• the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
• the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive 

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Simple Present	Active:	Rita	writes	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is written	by Rita.
Simple Past	Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was written	by Rita.
Present Perfect	Active:	Rita	has written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	has been written	by Rita.
Future I	Active:	Rita	will write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	will be written	by Rita.
Modals	Active:	Rita	can write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	can be written	by Rita.

Examples of Passive 

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Present Progressive	Active:	Rita	is writing	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is being written	by Rita.
Past Progressive	Active:	Rita	was writing	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was being written	by Rita.
Past Perfect	Active:	Rita	had written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	had been written	by Rita.
Future II	Active:	Rita	will have written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	will have been written	by Rita.
Conditional I	Active:	Rita	would write	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	would be written	by Rita.
Conditional II	Active:	Rita	would have written	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	would have been written	by Rita.

Passive Sentences with Two Objects 

Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.

	Subject	Verb	Object 1	Object 2
Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter	to me.
Passive:	A letter	was written	to me	by Rita.
Passive:	I	was written	a letter	by Rita.

As you can see in the examples, adding by Rita does not sound very elegant. That’s why it is usually dropped.

Personal and Impersonal Passive

Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. So every verb that needs an object (transitive verb) can form a personal passive.

Example: They build houses. – Houses are built.

Verbs without an object (intransitive verb) normally cannot form a personal passive sentence (as there is no object that can become the subject of the passive sentence). If you want to use an intransitive verb in passive voice, you need an impersonal construction – therefore this passive is called Impersonal Passive.

Example: he says – it is said

Impersonal Passive is not as common in English as in some other languages (e.g. German, Latin). In English, Impersonal Passive is only possible with verbs of perception (e. g. say, think, know).

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – It is said that women live longer than men.

Although Impersonal Passive is possible here, Personal Passive is more common.

Example: They say that women live longer than men. – Women are said to live longer than men.

The subject of the subordinate clause (women) goes to the beginning of the sentence; the verb of perception is put into passive voice. The rest of the sentence is added using an infinitive construction with 'to' (certain auxiliary verbs and that are dropped).

Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English lessons if the indirect object of an active sentence is to become the subject of the passive sentence.

Grammar notes: https://inglescarmelitaslb.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/the-passive-voice1.pdf

Exercises

Exercises on Passive (Form)

• Exercise on Passive with Simple Present 
• Exercise on Passive with Simple Past 
• Exercise on Passive with Present Perfect 
• Exercise on Passive with Future I 

Exercises on Passive (Active → Passive)

• Exercise on Passive with Simple Present 
• Exercise on Passive with Simple Past 
• Exercise on Passive with Present Perfect 
• Exercise on Passive with Future I 
• Exercise on Passive with Auxiliary Verbs 
• Mixed Exercise on Passive with Passive 
• Sentences with 2 Objects (Indirect Object, Personal Passive) 
• Sentences with 2 Objects (Direct Object) 
• Personal Passive (verbs of perception) 

• Exercise on Passive with Present Progressive 
• Exercise on Passive with Past Progressive 
• Exercise on Passive with Past Perfect 
• Exercise on Passive with Future II 
• Exercise on Passive with Conditional I 
• Exercise on Passive with Conditional II 

Exercises on Passive (Active or Passive)

• Exercise on Simple Present 
• Exercise on Simple Past 
• Exercise on Present Perfect 
• Exercise on Future I with will 
• Exercise – The Statue of Liberty 
• Exercise – Portal Dolmen 
• Summary – The Fellowship of the Ring, part 2, part 3 

Grammar in Texts

• Show Passive Voice in „The Canterville Ghost“ 
• Grammar Exercise on „Washington, DC“ 
• Show Passive Voice in „History of Snowboarding“ 

Tests on Passive

• Tenses Active and Passive 

Passive Voice.Ppt 

https://quizlet.com/44666138/passive-voice-examples-flash-cards/

https://view.genially.com/653fd09a18433600118e7ca8/interactive-content-passive-voice-game

• https://wordwall.net/es/resource/3072220/passive-voice
• https://wordwall.net/es/resource/5725525/passive-voice