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Love 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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Love 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!
Choose the correct idiom for each meaning
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Question 1
Boasting about your achievements and success.
A
All that jazz
B
Blow your own trumpet
C
Change your tune
Question 2
When someone suddenly changes their mind or thoughts.
A
Change your tune
B
All that jazz
C
Music to my ears
Question 3
This idioms means everything related or similar is included.
A
And all that jazz
B
Face the music
C
Change your tune
Question 4
When something said is exactly what you want to hear.
A
Change your tune
B
Face the music
C
Music to my ears
Question 5
When you have to accept some negative consequences.
A
And all that jazz
B
Face the music
C
Blow your own trumpet
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The 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.
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.
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!
Choose the correct answer from the three provided to complete the sentence.
Start
Congratulations – you have completed the “Gerund part 4″ quiz!.
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Question 1
One of Tom’s New Year’s resolutions was to cut out ________ as it is bad for your health.
A
eating fruit
B
smoking
C
drinking water
Question 2
I was put off ________ to run yesterday when I looked outside and saw it was starting to rain.
A
going
B
running
C
taking
Question 3
The policeman’s first job was to take over ________ the stolen car.
A
investigating
B
taking
C
driving
Question 4
Maria was looking into ________ around Europe during the summer.
A
reading
B
paying
C
travelling
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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.
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.
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!
Choose the correct gerund form to fill in the blank space.
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Question 1
Sam was tired of ________ his homework every night.
A
making
B
doing
C
studying
Question 2
The thief was worried about ________ into the neighbor’s house.
A
breaking
B
stealing
C
taking
Question 3
Every year, many students are proud of ________ their exams when they collect the results.
A
preparing
B
failing
C
passing
Question 4
I am always scared of ________ my work in front of the class.
A
presenting
B
taking
C
writing
Question 5
Are you worried about ________ your little brother with you?
A
bringing
B
coming
C
going
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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.
This 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.
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!
Choose the correct option to make the sentence grammatically correct.
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Question 1
My friend is good at ________ basketball.
A
running
B
jumping
C
playing
Question 2
I am looking forward to __________ out at the weekend to see my friends.
A
going
B
leaving
C
seeing
Question 3
I was waiting on my brother to arrive but he didn’t show up. Later, he apologized for _________ late.
A
waiting
B
being
C
appearing
Question 4
This question is easy __________.
A
answering
B
to answer
Question 5
__________ the late shift at work is not as bad as everyone thinks.
A
working
B
to work
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For 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
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
Choose the correct phrase to fill in the blank space!
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Question 1
When I was younger, I _______________ some money in Google. It was a really good idea because the company has been very successful, and I have made a lot of money.
A
inherited
B
earned
C
invested
Question 2
I was very sad when my grandfather died, but I used the money I _____________ from him to study, and I think he would be very happy that I am a teacher now.
A
made
B
paid
C
inherited
Question 3
Claire works as a secretary, but she _______________ much money, so her mum often has to ______________ her some.
A
doesn’t earn, borrow
B
doesn’t earn, lend
C
earns, lend
Question 4
A couple of years ago I ____________ £20 outside the pub. I ___________ it all on things I didn’t need.
A
lost, found
B
invested, wasted
C
found, wasted
Question 5
You should be careful when you ______________ money from a cashpoint machine because somebody might be behind you waiting to ___________ it from you.
A
withdraw, steal
B
withdraw, give
C
withdraw, borrow
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Prepositions 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:
Prefer Vs Would Rather In English we use ‘prefer’ to indicate something that we like in general whereas ‘would rather’ is specific. We use would rather as a modal idiom with the meaning prefer to. Eg. In a restaurant
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Aprende idiomas y supérate a ti mismo!
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Antes de decidir que tipo de curso quieres hacer, debes analizar varios aspectos: Tu nivel actual; ¿Cuáles son tus debilidades y fortalezas en inglés? Tus preferencias: ¿tiene poco tiempo? ¿Dónde quieres aprender? Tu objetivo: ¿Quieres bucar trabajo en el extranjero? ¿ Preparar una entrevista o una reunión de trabajo?