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English Idioms Part 6: Food

Publicado el April 30, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

peaspodLove Speaking is bringing you another series of blogs every week to help you improve and build your list of idioms. In part 6, we will look at some food idioms and what they really mean before putting into use in example sentences. Then recap what you have learned by completing the quiz at the end.
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English Idioms Part 3: Music

Publicado el April 9, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

Audio-Glow-Music-Visualizer-Various-themes-and-customisations-5Love Speaking is bringing you another series of blogs every week to help you improve and build your list of idioms. In part 3, we will look at some music idioms and what they really mean before putting into use in example sentences. Then recap what you have learned by completing the quiz at the end.

 Step 1: Learn

And all that jazz - This idioms means everything related or similar is included

Blow your own trumpet – Boasting about your achievements and success

Change your tune – when someone suddenly changes their mind or thoughts

Face the music – when you have to accept some negative consequences

Music to my ears – when something said is exactly what you want to hear

Step 2: Practice with examples

  • When I worked as a banker, I had to learn about different types of accounts, exchange rates and all that jazz.
  • I don’t mean to blow my own trumpet but, I always come first in the athletics competition.
  • It sounds to me like you have changed your tune. Yesterday you weren’t interested in coming with me.
  • I really need to go to the shop but it is raining. I need to go outside and face the music.
  • Yes I am very happy to buy your car for $4,000. That price is like music to my ears!

Step 3: Review



the “Idioms Part 3″ quiz!

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English Idioms Part 2: Around

Publicado el April 4, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

shutterstock_22298755The following idioms and expressions use the preposition ‘around’. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with ‘around’. Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with our quiz at the end of the blog.

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Around the bend – crazy

Tom’s going round the bend with all the new responsibilities.
She’s a little around the bend if you ask me!

 

Clown around – joke, play games and have fun

Stop clowning around and get to work!
Let’s take a break and clown around a bit.

 

Mess around with someone or something – treat poorly

I think Tony is messing around with you.
Stop messing around with that expensive vase.

 

Kick around – consider

Let’s kick around the new proposals.
Do you have any ideas we can kick around?

 

Stick around – stay

Could you stick around after the show so we can talk?
I think I’ll stick around here for a while.



the “Idioms Part 2″ quiz!

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TOEIC: English Gerund Part 4

Publicado el March 19, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

shutterstock_13659481This is part 4 of the TOEIC gerunds blogs, click here to read part 1 or click here to read part 2 or click here to read part 3.

Below you can read some of the rules and situations where the gerund is used, with some examples to help you understand it’s usage. Then test your knowledge with the quiz at the bottom by choosing the correct gerund verb to fill the blank space.

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Phrasal verbs and gerunds

Gerunds are used with phrasal verbs that end in prepositions. Phrasal verbs are verb phrases which are made up of two or more words, generally the verb plus one or two prepositions. Not all phrasal verbs combine with other verbs. Here are some of the most common phrasal verbs that do combine with other verbs in the gerund form:

bring about   –   call off   –   check into   –   cut out      -   figure out

get over   –   look into   –   put off   –   take over

Examples:

The coach called off practicing for the day.
Laura looked into finding a new job.
She took a long time to get over losing her dog.



the “Gerund part 4″ quiz!

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TOEIC Top Tips 23

Publicado el March 14, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC Tips | Deja un comentario  

TOEIC_Test_TipsSo you’re taking the TOEIC test, congratulations!

Love Speaking is here to give you some very helpful tips on how to successfully prepare yourself for the test every week. Read our top 2 tips for this week below.

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Tip #1: Set yourself a vocabulary goal

For example, if you learn 5 words a day for a year that will mean more than 1500 new words you can understand in English and being a whole level higher in reading comprehension. Once you have set that target, try to learn double that everyday, so that you are always ahead of your target and therefore motivated.

 

Tip #2: Join discussion forums

Reading an online forum about something you are interested in or knowledgeable about can be very motivating, as you will really want to know what people are saying and can write your own comments if you have some information that other people need, or want to say that you agree or disagree with someone. Like chat pages, there is also quite a lot of useful functional language like agreeing and disagreeing. You might also be able to find a discussion forum about other people’s experiences with the TOEIC exam.

TOEIC: English Gerund Part 3

Publicado el March 12, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | 2 Comentarios

shutterstock_23909317This is part 3 of the TOEIC gerunds blogs, click here to read part 1 or click here to read part 2.

Below you can read some of the rules and situations where the gerund is used, with some examples to help you understand it’s usage. Then test your knowledge with the quiz at the bottom by choosing the correct gerund verb to fill the blank space.

Adjective Combinations and Gerunds

Gerunds also follow common adjective + preposition combinations. Remember that prepositions are always followed by the gerund form. In other words, any adjective + preposition form you learn will always be followed by the gerund if used in combination with a verb. Here are some of the most common adjective + preposition combinations:

 

interested in   –   guilty of   –   proud of   –   bored with

known for   –   scared of   –   tired of   –   worried about

Examples:

She’s interested in taking French lessons.
The man was found guilty of committing the crime.
Tom is proud of donating his free time to the charity.



the “Gerund Part 3″ quiz!

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TOEIC: English Gerund Part 2

Publicado el March 5, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

shutterstock_59706091This is part 2 of the TOEIC gerunds blogs, click here to read part 1.

Below you can read some of the rules and situations where the gerund is used, with some examples to help you understand it’s usage. Then test your knowledge with the quiz at the bottom by choosing the correct gerund verb to fill the blank space.

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Verbs and Gerunds

There are many verbs that are always followed by the gerund form. Here are some of the most important:

deny   –   discuss   –   postpone   –   advise   –   regret

consider   –   avoid   –   suggest   –   recommend

Examples:

He avoided paying late fees on the account.

She denied knowing anything about the crime.

I postponed making a decision until Monday.

She regrets not studying French in college.

NOTE: Notice that the negative gerund form is ‘not + verb + ing’.



the “Gerund Part 2″ quiz!

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TOEIC: English Gerund Part 1

Publicado el February 26, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | 1 Comentario

shutterstock_55953016This week the grammar point we are focusing on is the gerund form of the verb. Below you can read some of the rules and situations where it is used, with some examples to help you understand it’s usage. Then test your knowledge with the quiz at the bottom by choosing the correct gerund verb to fill the blank space.

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Introduction to the gerund

The English gerund form of the verb is the ‘ing’ form of the verb. Gerunds are verbs that are used as nouns. In other words, by adding ‘ing’ to any verb you can change that verb into a noun. Gerunds are often used at the beginning of sentences when focusing on activity as the subject of conversation.

Examples:

Playing tennis is good for your health, and good fun!
Listening 10 minutes a day to English will help you improve your understanding of the language.

It’s also possible to use gerunds in any other position in a sentence. As a direct object of a verb:

Examples:

Hanna enjoys listening to classical music.
Jason admits spending too much money on toys.

Gerund and propositions

English Gerunds are also objects of prepositions. This means that whenever a verb follows a preposition, use the gerund or ‘ing’ form of the verb.

Examples:

I looked into buying a new computer.
Sally was afraid of walking alone in the dark.



the “Gerund Part 1″ quiz!

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TOEIC: All About Money

Publicado el February 19, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

TOEICFor today’s TOEIC blog, we are focusing on some activities related to money. Below you can read some related phrases with the main verbs highlighted and also given in the simple past tense. The definitions are also included beside each phrase. You can then test your knowledge with the quiz at the bottom to see if you can now use these phrases in sentences.

Useful phrases

Earn money (earned) = to get money by working

Inherit money (inherited) = to receive money from someone who has died

Invest money in something (invested) = to buy shares for example in a business with the aim to make a profit

Withdraw money (withdrew) = to take money out of a bank account

Waste money (wasted) = to use money to buy something you don’t need

Pay someone back money (paid) = to return money that you have borrowed

Lose money (lost) = the opposite of win or find

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Discussion questions:

  • Have you ever lost any money?
  • Which companies would you like to invest your money in now?
  • Have you ever found any money? Did you keep it?
  • Do you owe anybody money?
  • Have you ever borrowed money from someone but never paid it back?

Quiz!



the “All About Money!” quiz

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TOEIC: Prepositions

Publicado el February 5, 2013 by ryan Publicado en Novedades, TOEIC | Deja un comentario  

shutterstock_57904150Prepositions indicate relationships between words or ideas. Most prepositions deal with location and are easy to learn, but some can be difficult to recognise and use since they can be interchangeable. Some examples are included below:

above

inside

beside

near

below

outside

beyond

nearby

between

over

around

behind

Rules

Take a note of the following rules regarding propositions:

  • Generally, in, on and at indicate location.
  • To and from imply movement toward or away from something. However, to can also function as part of an infinitive.
  • To and for can introduce indirect objects.
  • For and since can also indicate duration.

Verbs with prepositions

Some prepositions can be used together with verbs, such as:

  • accuse (someone) of (doing something)
  • agree on (topic)
  • argue with (someone) about (topic)
  • introduce (someone) to (someone else)
  • participate in (something)
  • take advantage of (someone/something/ situation)
  • travel to (somewhere)

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