I am writing to complain about the poor service that I received when I was in your store last week. recently you decided to remove (remove) listening facilities in your stores, and your staff encouraged customers to take (take) home their CDs without hearing (hear) them first. you invited us to return (return) any CDs that we did not like, as long as we kept the receipt as proof of purchase. In my opinion this was an exellent policy as it allowed customers to risk (risk) buying (buy) things that were a little different.
A consequence of your policy is that customers will buy more CDs, and this means returning (return) more that they dont like. In fact last week I braught back eight CDs, from the fourteen I had bought on the previous visit. Your salesman refused to accept (accept) such a large number, and accused me of taking (take) the CDs home just to copy (copy) them. I strongly object to be (be) treated like this.
Sunday 7 September 2008
Article from The New York Times
I've readen an article from the New york times called: Would you buy a new car from Eva Longoria. Here is the link for the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10thu4.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=would%20you%20buy%20a%20car%20from%20eva%20longoria&st=cse&oref=slogin
Here is some notes taken from the article:
- In the 50s a marketing consultant introduces a new selling technique through the consummer subconsions.
- Fears about corporations using this technique rose quickly, which leaded to an issuing of disclosal by the Federal Communications Commission against it.
- Nowadays, corporations have found a new way of persuasion by embedding commercials into tv shows like American Idole, The office...
- Several tv shows were sponsored by companies that includes products on the show as normal, but that's their goal.
- Questions were made about wheter we should let this practice without disclosure or not.
- The problem is not to disclose commercials in a Tv show, but telling the truth about the product is the real matter.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10thu4.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=would%20you%20buy%20a%20car%20from%20eva%20longoria&st=cse&oref=slogin
Here is some notes taken from the article:
- In the 50s a marketing consultant introduces a new selling technique through the consummer subconsions.
- Fears about corporations using this technique rose quickly, which leaded to an issuing of disclosal by the Federal Communications Commission against it.
- Nowadays, corporations have found a new way of persuasion by embedding commercials into tv shows like American Idole, The office...
- Several tv shows were sponsored by companies that includes products on the show as normal, but that's their goal.
- Questions were made about wheter we should let this practice without disclosure or not.
- The problem is not to disclose commercials in a Tv show, but telling the truth about the product is the real matter.
Verb patterns exercises
Exercise 1: Complete with the verb in the correct form
1- I'm sorry I forgot to respond to your email.
2- I tried to get to the computer shop before it closed.
3- I'll never forgot attending the seattle protests in 1999.
4- I wrote this over the summer but forgot to post it on my blog.
5- I remember hearing something about how popular the movie Titanic was in China.
6- I stopped putting my video clips on Youtube because my friends teased me.
7- She remembered to bring her video camera to the edding, so we've got a great film of it.
Exercise 2: inderline the correct form
1- I'm sorry I forgot to call/calling you, but Iwas reallu busy
2- I stopped in Paris for a few days to meet/meeting Henri
3- We' ve stpped to meet/meeting so often. It was a wate of time
4- Learning a language mean to be /being intersted in the culture as well
5- I meant to make / making some more photocopies, but i didn't have time
6- Itried to open/ opening the window, but it too high to reach
7- I tried to open / opening the window, but it was still too hot in the room
8- I'll never forget to give/ giving my first presentation to the board
9- Don't forget to look/ looking at the audience when you speak
10- we regret to announce/ announcing the death of our founder, Mr Obuchi
11- I regret to quit/ quiting my MBA course
1- I'm sorry I forgot to respond to your email.
2- I tried to get to the computer shop before it closed.
3- I'll never forgot attending the seattle protests in 1999.
4- I wrote this over the summer but forgot to post it on my blog.
5- I remember hearing something about how popular the movie Titanic was in China.
6- I stopped putting my video clips on Youtube because my friends teased me.
7- She remembered to bring her video camera to the edding, so we've got a great film of it.
Exercise 2: inderline the correct form
1- I'm sorry I forgot to call/calling you, but Iwas reallu busy
2- I stopped in Paris for a few days to meet/meeting Henri
3- We' ve stpped to meet/meeting so often. It was a wate of time
4- Learning a language mean to be /being intersted in the culture as well
5- I meant to make / making some more photocopies, but i didn't have time
6- Itried to open/ opening the window, but it too high to reach
7- I tried to open / opening the window, but it was still too hot in the room
8- I'll never forget to give/ giving my first presentation to the board
9- Don't forget to look/ looking at the audience when you speak
10- we regret to announce/ announcing the death of our founder, Mr Obuchi
11- I regret to quit/ quiting my MBA course
Gerunds (verb + ing)
Gerunds used as subjects:
e.g Drinking too much beer is harmfull for the health
Gerunds as objects:
Here is the common verbs followed by gerund as object:
Admit
Appreciate
Avoid
Consider
Delay
Deny
Discuss
Enjoy
Finish
Give up
Keep on
Miss
Plan
Practice
Putt off
Quit
Recall
Stop
Take up
Understand
e.g Don't avoid taking responsibility
Gerunds as subjects of prepositions:
Be aware of
Be found of
Be intersted in
Be accustoned to
Be capable of
Be concerned about
Think about
Talk about
Think of
Look forward to
e.g Jhon is thinking about looking for a job this summer.
He is intersted in going to a foreing country
Gerunds after verbs of perception
Feel
Hear
Listen to
See
Notice
Watch
e.g Isaw her giving a presentation
e.g Drinking too much beer is harmfull for the health
Gerunds as objects:
Here is the common verbs followed by gerund as object:
Admit
Appreciate
Avoid
Consider
Delay
Deny
Discuss
Enjoy
Finish
Give up
Keep on
Miss
Plan
Practice
Putt off
Quit
Recall
Stop
Take up
Understand
e.g Don't avoid taking responsibility
Gerunds as subjects of prepositions:
Be aware of
Be found of
Be intersted in
Be accustoned to
Be capable of
Be concerned about
Think about
Talk about
Think of
Look forward to
e.g Jhon is thinking about looking for a job this summer.
He is intersted in going to a foreing country
Gerunds after verbs of perception
Feel
Hear
Listen to
See
Notice
Watch
e.g Isaw her giving a presentation
Articles
Some usefull rules for the use of articles:
Zero article:
we use zero article in the cases bellow
- for uncountable and general nouns:
e.g There was a lot of pressure on me.
- for cities and countries:
e.g I was 34 at Sydney.
Definite article "the":
- we use the definite article if it's specific and there is only one of this thing
e.g I didn't win the olympics for me.
Indefinite articles "a","an":
- we use the indefinite article if it's countable or one of many
e.g That was a rhough battle.
It's like you step out off the plane to a new life.
Zero article:
we use zero article in the cases bellow
- for uncountable and general nouns:
e.g There was a lot of pressure on me.
- for cities and countries:
e.g I was 34 at Sydney.
Definite article "the":
- we use the definite article if it's specific and there is only one of this thing
e.g I didn't win the olympics for me.
Indefinite articles "a","an":
- we use the indefinite article if it's countable or one of many
e.g That was a rhough battle.
It's like you step out off the plane to a new life.
cause and effect
Exercise 1: decide if it's a reason or result?
1- Venice is sinking because of the rising level of the sea. ( reason)
2- Archeologists study ancient objects in order to learn about ancient cultures. (reason)
3- the fire in the museum resulted in extensive damage. (result)
4- Visitors to the art exhibition are not permitted to use flash fotography since this can cause damage to the pictures. (reason)
5- Historic monuments are expensive to maintain, so it often necessary to charge an entry fee. (result)
6- A new museum is being built as the collections are too large for the present museum. (reason)
7- The construction of the Aswan dam and lake would have destroyed the ancient temple of Abu Simbel. Therefore, it was decided to move the temple to a new site. (result)
Exercise 2: join the two parts of the sentence.
1- Large numbers of people from all over the world visit Petra, in Jordan, because of its beauty.
2- Children are encouraged to visit museums because it's imprtant for them to learn about the history of their country.
3- Historians are often required to learn languages such as latin in order to read ancient manuscripts and inscriptions.
4- Some cities, like Rome, have been inhabited for thousands of years, so the ancient buildings are hidden bellow modern buildings.
5- In 79 CE Pompeii was coverd by a thick layer of volcanicash from Mont Vesuvius. As a result the city was particulary well preserved.
1- Venice is sinking because of the rising level of the sea. ( reason)
2- Archeologists study ancient objects in order to learn about ancient cultures. (reason)
3- the fire in the museum resulted in extensive damage. (result)
4- Visitors to the art exhibition are not permitted to use flash fotography since this can cause damage to the pictures. (reason)
5- Historic monuments are expensive to maintain, so it often necessary to charge an entry fee. (result)
6- A new museum is being built as the collections are too large for the present museum. (reason)
7- The construction of the Aswan dam and lake would have destroyed the ancient temple of Abu Simbel. Therefore, it was decided to move the temple to a new site. (result)
Exercise 2: join the two parts of the sentence.
1- Large numbers of people from all over the world visit Petra, in Jordan, because of its beauty.
2- Children are encouraged to visit museums because it's imprtant for them to learn about the history of their country.
3- Historians are often required to learn languages such as latin in order to read ancient manuscripts and inscriptions.
4- Some cities, like Rome, have been inhabited for thousands of years, so the ancient buildings are hidden bellow modern buildings.
5- In 79 CE Pompeii was coverd by a thick layer of volcanicash from Mont Vesuvius. As a result the city was particulary well preserved.
some usefull vocabulary
some expressions for generalisations:
- Some people believe that.....
- It is generally/ commonly believed that....
- In general it is believed.....
- In general it is believed....
- People tend to choose the air plane as a mean of transport.
- Students have the tendency to.......
Some vocabulary to express caution:
- It would seem/ appear that.....
Expressing probability:
Adjectifs and adverbes:
- It is likely that it will rain today
- Probably, the school will close early this year due to the weather conditions
Model verbs (may, might, can, could)
- The olympics in the UK may bring a lot of tourists to the country.
- I am speculating about the possible benefits of the olympics games.
- Some people believe that.....
- It is generally/ commonly believed that....
- In general it is believed.....
- In general it is believed....
- People tend to choose the air plane as a mean of transport.
- Students have the tendency to.......
Some vocabulary to express caution:
- It would seem/ appear that.....
Expressing probability:
Adjectifs and adverbes:
- It is likely that it will rain today
- Probably, the school will close early this year due to the weather conditions
Model verbs (may, might, can, could)
- The olympics in the UK may bring a lot of tourists to the country.
- I am speculating about the possible benefits of the olympics games.
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