Exercise: Avoiding repetition

In English writing, repetition is considered to be a bad style. Look at the following example:

Bad:  We look forward to your participation when you participate in the event.

Good:   We look forward to having you participate in the event.

Can you improve on these sentences?

1 Janice went to the beach, but the beach was cold and windy.

2 I like my job because it is an easy job.

3 Fish is not only tasty, but fish also helps your brain.

4 The dust made the air really dusty.

5 I like chocolate because the taste is really tasty.

6 The teacher teaches us many things.

7 On my travels I traveled to Rome, Milan and Palermo.

8 I have not yet decided on my decision.

9 I spent my holiday in Timbuktu. Timbuktu is a city in Mali.

10 I signed up for a Spanish course. The Spanish course lasts three weeks.

CLICK HERE for sample answers

Conversation Worksheet: Talking Money

Teachers, here is a great conversation worksheet for introducing the topic of money.

It includes vocab, reading of people's opinions and a long discussion section. There is also a follow-up on some of the grammar points.

Download it here: http://roadtogrammar.com/dl/r2g_money.php

Practise IELTS Vocabulary

Getting ready for the IELTS exam?

Here is an activity where learners can practise 570 words that have been identified as important for the IELTS exam. You need to recognise them in the listening and reading sections and it is good to use them in the speaking and writing sections.

In this activity, you'll be tested on 10 words at a time and you'll have the chance to review the definitions after each set of ten.

Try it here: http://roadtogrammar.com/ielts/vocabulary/

Math Game to Sharpen Your Mind

Here is a mathematics/number game to sharpen your mind. 

Give it a try: http://www.flashbynight.com/algorithm/

BING BONG: New Word Game

Road to Grammar is pleased to announce a new word game: BING BONG. You can play it here:

www.roadtogrammar.com/bingbong

Or get it for your Android device here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flashbynight.bingbong

This is a simple game very well-suited to ESL Learners. You are given a five-letter word but only shown the first and last letters. You have to guess the middle letters each from a set of two options:

You win when you guess the complete word. You get between 10-100 points depending on how many tries you needed. You get an additional 200-point bonus after every five rounds. You get a chance to view the meaning each word you guess.

As you finish more levels, you will get longer words and you will need to beat a timer. Why not see if you can get a high score?

This game can be played on a smartphone or tablet. If you are looking for a more challenging version (not recommended for ESL learners), try the original version here: www.flashbynight.com/rabbip

Present Simple Tense: Android App

The Present Simple Tense Guide is now available as an Android app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flashbynight.PresSimple

New ESL Resource: Comprehensive notes and activities on the Present Simple Tense

New today on RoadtoGrammar is a comprehensive unit on the Present Simple Tense. As we all know, the Present Simple is not as simple as it sounds and even advanced ESL learners make some mistakes with it! The new unit contains 13 pages of notes and 12 short practice activities, covering all aspects of the present simple tense. Teachers, you'll find you can project it or use it on your smartboard and do the activities with your classes. It works on smartphones.
Try it here: http://www.roadtogrammar.com/presentsimple/

Short Visual Lesson: HOPE vs WISH

Know your roots 3: TRI

Know Your Roots 2: PHIL

Know Your Roots 1: VIS

Update: Fluent - A Game for ESL Learners

I've updated the game FLUENT with a new look and some extra questions, but primarily so that users will be able to play it on smartphones and tablets.

Play FLUENT at: www.roadtogrammar.com/fluent

The new look is something like this:

Why are soft drinks called soft drinks?

Q: Why are soft drinks called soft drinks?

A: Typically, alcoholic drinks have been known as 'strong' drinks and the stronger ones have been known as 'hard' liquor. To differentiate juices and sodas, they are known as 'soft drinks'.

This originated as a marketing term. Makers of sodas had trouble marketing their products because they were known as 'soda' in some parts of America, 'pop', 'cola' or even just 'coke' in others. In Britain and other countries, they were known as 'fizzy drinks'. Hence the term 'soft drink' was created as a universal term - it sounds nice and also sounds like a pleasant alternative to alcohol.


References:

www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/07/why-carbonated-beverages-are-called-soft-drinks/
english.stackexchange.com/questions/169092/why-soft-drink

Business English: Guide to Report Writing

I have just published a guide to writing a short business report.

Features:

• full example and notes
• comprehension activity
• suitable for Business English learners
• suitable for use as a class activity
• writing tasks provided
• mobile-friendly

Link: http://roadtogrammar.com/businessenglish/biz6/

Adult Learning Theory Infographic

Click for full-size image: