Resources for writing: www.ompersonal.com.ar

Hi,

The following link is strongly recommended for those who have difficulties with writing or punctuation. Lots of students at this EOI are doing the activities and they found the website really useful.

Also, you can't miss the other contents of the website. It's really worth a visit.

Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks Ana Fúster for the link

Module 06. Writing (Sample answer)

The gig of the year
I have to tell you about the Scissor Sisters. They give one of the best live shows of the year. They are an American band, whose style reminds you of the disco and glam-rock music of the 1970s. In 2006 they had a huge hit with 'I don't feel like dancing'.

On stage the two members of the band you notice most are the singers -Jake and Ana. What an incredible voice Jake has - a combination of opera and rock! Both he and Ana in their sexy black jackets were fantastic. As the show started Jake went straight into 'Laura' which really got the show going. The lighting and the set were amazing and you really had that disco feel.

The only thing I wasn't really happy about was the sound. It was a bit woolly and I couldn't hear the lyrics, but once the band was into its second song nobody really cared.

Judging from this live show they will be the best live band for years to come.

Module 06. Song review: If you were a sailboat (by Katie Melua)

Katie Melua, a British-Georgian singer, songwriter and musician, is giving a concert in the next edition of the 'Mar de Músicas' Festival. Although Katie is still not very popular in Spain, she was the United Kingdom's biggest-selling female artist in 2006.

You have been asked to write a review about Katie Melua's best-known song, 'If you were a sailboat', which you will have the chance to listen to live when you attend Melua's concert next summer. You have decided to watch the video on youtube.com first:



TASK
1. Watch the video and, if necessary, look at the lyrics to make sure you fully understood the song.
2. Write a short review of 'If I were a sailboat'. Include information about the artist, the style, what the song is about and your personal opinion about the song (e.g. did you like the song? would you recommend it?)

OPTIONAL TASK
A local radio station in Cartagena is offering free tickets for Katie Melua's next concert in the 'Mar de Músicas' Festival next summer. All you have to do is re-write the first verse of 'If you were a sailboat' using your own alternative lyrics. Katie will sing the best alternative lyrics live on the radio!

Here's some funny samples sent in by some listeners (ie. students) so far.
"If you were some tiling(1) I would grout(2) you
If you were a rule book I would flout(3) you all the same
If you were a football you would be my favourite game"

(1) tiling: square, flat pieces of clay used to cover the floor.
(2) to grout: to fill in the spaces between tiles using a mixture of sand, water and cement.
(3) to flout: to deliberately not follow a rule, order or law.

Text Organisers: KEY

Hi,

Here's the key to the photocopy 'Text Organisers'.

Sorry for the delay and good luck for the exams :)

KEY

EXERCISE 1
a)To be honest
b) For that reason
c) By and large / Having said that
d) As a result
e) To start with
f) Anyway
g) Even so
h) Whereas
i) On the whole
j) On the contrary

EXERCISE 2
a) Nevertheless
b) In contrast
c) For one thing
d) As opposed to
e) As well as
f) To a large extent
g) As opposed to
h) However

CLOZE 1
1)C 2)A 3)C 4)B 5)B 6)C 7)A 8)B 9)C 10)C

CLOZE 2
1)B 2)A 3)C 4)B 5)A 6)C 7)C 8)A 9)B 10)B

Module 02. Writing: A formal letter (job application)

Hi,

Apart from the useful expressions that can be found in the Student's Book, page 29, here's some extra information on how to write a formal letter in English.

Notice the importance of the arrangement of all elements (your address, addressee, date, words/phrases to open/close the letter, etc).

Click here to read more about job application letters in English.

Module 01. Writing: Email (Students' mistakes)

Study these mistakes from your emails. We'll discuss them in the following class on Wednesday.

1. Dear Jackie:
2. I'm writting you because...
3. [Cartagena] is sited in the southeast of Spain, in the sea coast.
4. It has many beachs and many roman ruins.
5. Comming back some details of my life...
6. He told me you are really interested in contact with a Spanish-speaking person.
7. We like sharing Saturday's lunch all together with my brother and sister in love.
8. Although, we go on holiday in family... to spend some more time together and enjoy as well.
9. Don't doubt about stay at home.
10. I'm in my middle thirties.
11. I'm married with a lovely man.
12. We often have fun in my parent's home.
13. We enjoy swimming in the beach.
14. If you ever get the chance to visit Cartagena you would be wellcome at home.
15. You must know that my name is X.
16. Cabo de Palos is a village near Cartagena out of the stress of the city.
17. At winter it turns out to be very boring
18. My age is 20 so I'm studying at the university.
19. My mother is a housewife, so is my father the only one who works out then.
20. I'll be waiting to hear from you.
21. My family would be proud of knowing you.
22. My parents like very much having foreing people close to know more about others cultures.
23. We like to do touristic visists so we can prepare severals to do with you.
24. It's long time I don't write to you!
25. I suppose you will have already your home redecorated.
26. Don't forget to phone me when you arrived!
27. That's an astonished coincidence. I've lots of books about Spanish's traditions.
28. It's easy to practice a great variety of sports like dive, trek, climb or to hang-gliding.
29. I think I can help you to improve your Spanish in order to do not get lost.
30. My birthday is on November.
31. My brother is ten years old, but it's looks like two years younger.
32. To conclude, I invite you to visit my city.
33. I'm looking for your answer.