If you need help to survive the English classes, welcome to the IMBenglish! Here you can find some materials that will help you to survive: - grammar exercises; - vocabulary; - songs, - pictures - videos and many,many things! Relax and have a nice time! IMB
segunda-feira, 31 de janeiro de 2011
If clauses type 2 karaoke
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If Clauses type 2
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sexta-feira, 28 de janeiro de 2011
quinta-feira, 27 de janeiro de 2011
quarta-feira, 26 de janeiro de 2011
terça-feira, 25 de janeiro de 2011
Conditional sentences
There are three types of Conditional sentences
Type I condition possible to fulfill.
Type II condition in theory possible to fulfill.
Type III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)
Type I Present Simple + will + infinitive
Type II Past Simple + would + infinitive
Type III Past Perfect + would have + past participle
Type I If I study, I will pass the exam.
Type II If I studied, I would pass the exam.
Type III If I had studied, I would have passed the exame.
segunda-feira, 24 de janeiro de 2011
sexta-feira, 21 de janeiro de 2011
quinta-feira, 13 de janeiro de 2011
Relax and have a nice time! Try the verbs connected with addictions and you will see what happens!
http://www.youtube.com/user/tippexperience?v=4ba1BqJ4S2M&feature=pyv&ad=5903516622&kw=fisica+o+quimica
terça-feira, 11 de janeiro de 2011
Addictions - Confessions of a Shopaholic - film
“Confessions of a shopaholic”- Discussion Questions
1. Becky has a serious shopping addiction! Clothes, makeup, shoes—you name it, she loves it! Do you have a shopping addiction? Where is your favourite place to go shopping? What store can’t you walk by without “just taking a peek” at the fabulous merchandise!
2. At the beginning of Confessions of a Shopaholic, Becky just had to have the Denny & George scarf. Have you ever made a crazy impulsive purchase like that? What’s the most fun purchase you’ve ever made? Have you ever had to borrow money for a shopping spree?
3. Becky is obviously addicted to shopping, but she’s got other things going for her as well. What are some of your favourite characteristics about Becky? Do you have friends that remind you of any of the characters in Confessions of a Shopaholic?
4. Becky decided to follow David E. Barton’s Controlling Your Cash in order to reduce her spending. Do you think the tactics listed in the story were reasonable? How could Becky have better managed her financial situation? What ways do you budget yourself and save up for special things you want to splurge on?
5. When Becky was a store assistant at Ally Smith, she hid a pair of zebra print jeans from a customer—then got fired! Do you have a funny or embarrassing dressing room story? Have you ever done something extreme like Becky to “stake your claim” on a piece of clothing?
6. Becky’s relationship with Luke constantly changes throughout Confessions of a Shopaholic. Hot and cold, on and off, you never know what you’re going to get with the two of them. How do you think the development of their relationship enhances the story?
7. Zebra print jeans, pink boots, and a shimmering gray-blue scarf—it seems that Becky has a style all of her own! How does Becky’s shopping obsession add to the story? What’s your style like? Do you have a favourite outfit?
8. Tarquin and Becky’s date was quite interesting to say the least. Pizza and champagne, a $5,000 check to a made-up organization, and some sneaking around on Becky’s part! Do you think Becky handled herself appropriately? What’s the most memorable date you’ve ever been on?
9. Becky seems to tell a lot of “little white lies,” from lying about a broken leg, to making up a dead aunt, and even telling her parents she has a stalker! How does her lying affect her relationships to her friends, family and colleagues in the story? What’s the most exaggerated “little white lie” you’ve ever made up to get yourself out of trouble?
10. Do you think that Becky can serve as a role-model for young women? What lessons did you learn about relationships, responsibility, friendship and honesty?
11. Becky lands a front page news article, a spot on a morning television show, and a date with her dream guy all in the course of a couple days. Is this too good to be true? Can you believe Becky’s luck? Do you think Becky has changed by the end of the story? Have you ever had a perfect day like Becky’s?
sexta-feira, 7 de janeiro de 2011
Symbols of love
Heart
It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. Though the ancients were not aware that the heart was responsible for pumping blood though the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing for sure that the heart was the center of all feelings. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.
Ribbons, Laces and Frills
Ribbons and laces have been associated with love and romance since the days when a knight used to ride into a battle sporting the scarf or handkerchief presented to him by his ladylove. In the bygone times, laces were used making women's handkerchiefs. It was also usual for a lady to drop her handkerchief in the path of the man whose attention she wished to draw.
Cupid
The love and attraction that a man and a lady feels for one another is traditionally ascribed to the mythological god,Cupid.In Latin, the word Cupid means "desire." Cupid is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and possessing a mischievous smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows which he uses to transfix the hearts of youths and maidens. Click here to know more on Cupid.
The Rose
From time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we juggle the letters of the word ROSE we get EROS, who is the God of Love. Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world. The colour red is associated with strong emotions and below are listed sentiments expressed by different hues of rose:-
Lavender -- Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange -- Fascination
Pink (Dark) -- Thankfulness, Friendship and Admiration
Red -- Love, Respect and Courage
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red -- Beauty and Passion
White -- Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and (according to some sources) True Love
Yellow -- Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black -- Farewell
Red/White -- Unity or Engagement
Yellow/Orange -- Passionate Thoughts
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Yellow/Red -- Congratulations
Rosebud -- Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love
Red Rosebud -- Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud -- Girlhood
One Dozen Red Roses -- "I Love You"
Single Red Rose in Full Bloom -- "I Love You"
Tea Roses -- "I'll Remember Always"
Hands
The hands of a lady has been a favorite decoration for Valentine's Day for many years and is suppose to depict "femininity". To add to its beauty, the hand is often decorated with frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. A lady's hands was a favorite decoration that depicted "femininity." Its beauty was enhanced by adding a frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. Clasped hands are said to represent those of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert...the symbol of friendship between their respective countries of England and Germany.
Doves and Love Birds
It was the popular belief that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14.Since doves and pigeons mate for life ,they symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love. Lovebirds, the small birds with colorful plumage, commonly found in Africa, are so called because they tend to get cozy with each other and can't survive without each other. pairs. Doves...common urban birds, shy and gentle by nature, with a distinctive "cooing" call...symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love .
Puzzik
A Puzzik is a quaint sort of homemade valentine which was a sort of puzzle that the receiver had to solve. Not only did she have to decipher the message but also to figure how to refold the paper once it was opened. The order of the verses was usually numbered, and the recipient had to twist the folds to determine what was being said.
Rebus
Although it had many forms, a rebus usually was a romantic verse written in ink with certain words omitted and illustrated with a picture. Meant to be a riddle, they were not always easy to decipher.
Love knots
They are made of ribbons and are traditional symbols of interminable and everlasting love.
It was formerly believed that the heart was the seat of all human emotions. Accordingly, the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act of giving everything to someone you love. Though the ancients were not aware that the heart was responsible for pumping blood though the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing for sure that the heart was the center of all feelings. This ancient belief has lingered on through the ages.
Ribbons, Laces and Frills
Ribbons and laces have been associated with love and romance since the days when a knight used to ride into a battle sporting the scarf or handkerchief presented to him by his ladylove. In the bygone times, laces were used making women's handkerchiefs. It was also usual for a lady to drop her handkerchief in the path of the man whose attention she wished to draw.
Cupid
The love and attraction that a man and a lady feels for one another is traditionally ascribed to the mythological god,Cupid.In Latin, the word Cupid means "desire." Cupid is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and possessing a mischievous smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows which he uses to transfix the hearts of youths and maidens. Click here to know more on Cupid.
The Rose
From time immemorial, beloveds have been compared to roses. If we juggle the letters of the word ROSE we get EROS, who is the God of Love. Rose has thus been the traditional choice of lovers around the world. The colour red is associated with strong emotions and below are listed sentiments expressed by different hues of rose:-
Lavender -- Enchantment and Uniqueness
Orange -- Fascination
Pink (Dark) -- Thankfulness, Friendship and Admiration
Red -- Love, Respect and Courage
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Deep Red -- Beauty and Passion
White -- Innocence, Purity, Secrecy, Silence, Reverence, Humility and (according to some sources) True Love
Yellow -- Joy, Friendship, Jealousy, Hope and Freedom
Black -- Farewell
Red/White -- Unity or Engagement
Yellow/Orange -- Passionate Thoughts
Peach -- Modesty, Gratitude, Admiration and Sympathy
Pink (Pale) -- Grace, Joy and Happiness
Yellow/Red -- Congratulations
Rosebud -- Beauty, Youth and a Heart Innocent of Love
Red Rosebud -- Purity and Loveliness
White Rosebud -- Girlhood
One Dozen Red Roses -- "I Love You"
Single Red Rose in Full Bloom -- "I Love You"
Tea Roses -- "I'll Remember Always"
Hands
The hands of a lady has been a favorite decoration for Valentine's Day for many years and is suppose to depict "femininity". To add to its beauty, the hand is often decorated with frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. A lady's hands was a favorite decoration that depicted "femininity." Its beauty was enhanced by adding a frilly cuff and a jeweled ring on the third finger. Clasped hands are said to represent those of Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert...the symbol of friendship between their respective countries of England and Germany.
Doves and Love Birds
It was the popular belief that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14.Since doves and pigeons mate for life ,they symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love. Lovebirds, the small birds with colorful plumage, commonly found in Africa, are so called because they tend to get cozy with each other and can't survive without each other. pairs. Doves...common urban birds, shy and gentle by nature, with a distinctive "cooing" call...symbolize loyalty, fidelity and love .
Puzzik
A Puzzik is a quaint sort of homemade valentine which was a sort of puzzle that the receiver had to solve. Not only did she have to decipher the message but also to figure how to refold the paper once it was opened. The order of the verses was usually numbered, and the recipient had to twist the folds to determine what was being said.
Rebus
Although it had many forms, a rebus usually was a romantic verse written in ink with certain words omitted and illustrated with a picture. Meant to be a riddle, they were not always easy to decipher.
Love knots
They are made of ribbons and are traditional symbols of interminable and everlasting love.
What's Valentine?
The word "Valentine" has two meanings. It can imply a card sent or given to a sweetheart) on Saint Valentine's Day. It can also indicate any particular person, especially a sweetheart, chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day.
Both implications of the word come from a time long long ago. At a turbulent period of Roman History, when a crumbling Roman empire was facing hostilities from all sides, the country needed valiant soldiers who would be ruthless and able to lay down their lives for the cause of the motherland. Emperor Claudius II felt that marriage was becoming a serious impediment in building a strong national defence as married soldiers felt disinclined to stay away from home for a long time. He issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers. But a kindly priest Valentine came to the rescue of young Romans and secretly married them off. But this good time was not long to last for Claudius II soon got wind of Valentine's actions and had him arrested. Though initially impressed by Valentine's personality and courage, the emperor tried to force his order on him and is even said to have attempted to convert him.
When Valentine refused to obey both royal orders, the incensed emperor ordered his execution.
While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine is believed to have restored the sight of the jailor's daughter with his reported mystical powers. This earned him the friendship of the jailor Asterius as well as his daughter. A little time before his death, Valentine is said to have asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and wrote a farewell message to Asterius' daughter signing it as "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.
The Roman Empire was soon to fall, and its end brought everything back to normalcy. The people never forgot Valentine and they created a holiday in memory of their loving priest. Along with "Valentine's Day", the tradition of sending personal messages also gained popularity among love birds and such handwritten notes of love came to be known as "Valentine", a name drawn from the signature of Valentine's last letter to Asterius' daughter.
The first modern valentines reportedly became popular from the early 15th century. Following his defeat in the battle of Agincourt, the young French Duke of Orleans was captured and confined in the Tower of London for many years. During his captivity, he wrote many poems to his wife. About sixty of these remain and have been preserved among the royal papers in the British Museum.
When printers came in use, a limited number of cards with verses and sketches began to be produced. However, these were smaller and costlier than the handmade cards which were oversized but economical and elaborate.
By the 18th century, it became a common practice in England to exchange hand-made cards on Valentine's Day. People began to create valentine cards for their sweethearts by themselves out of lace or ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts.
Gradually, the American colonies took on the tradition. But it only during the 1840s that Valentine's Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine's Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Regarded as the "Mother of the Valentine", Howland made elaborate "Valentine" cards with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". It was only with Howland's mass production of the Valentine cards that the custom gained popularity in the United States.
With a reduction in postal rates in the early 19th century, the production of Valentines got a greater thrust. It also helped establish the custom of sending anonymous messages or cards to those one admired.
In the 21st century, Valentine's Day has become one of the major holidays in the world, especially in the U.S. where it has spawned a multimillion dollar greeting card industry. As per a survey by the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year in the U.S. are "Valentine"s. This is another evidence of the ever increasing popularity of the "Valentines", that are seen by many as an extension of the old love letters.
A message of love, that is what the "Valentine" is. Try sending one to your special someone on this Valentine's Day.
Both implications of the word come from a time long long ago. At a turbulent period of Roman History, when a crumbling Roman empire was facing hostilities from all sides, the country needed valiant soldiers who would be ruthless and able to lay down their lives for the cause of the motherland. Emperor Claudius II felt that marriage was becoming a serious impediment in building a strong national defence as married soldiers felt disinclined to stay away from home for a long time. He issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers. But a kindly priest Valentine came to the rescue of young Romans and secretly married them off. But this good time was not long to last for Claudius II soon got wind of Valentine's actions and had him arrested. Though initially impressed by Valentine's personality and courage, the emperor tried to force his order on him and is even said to have attempted to convert him.
When Valentine refused to obey both royal orders, the incensed emperor ordered his execution.
While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine is believed to have restored the sight of the jailor's daughter with his reported mystical powers. This earned him the friendship of the jailor Asterius as well as his daughter. A little time before his death, Valentine is said to have asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and wrote a farewell message to Asterius' daughter signing it as "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after.
The Roman Empire was soon to fall, and its end brought everything back to normalcy. The people never forgot Valentine and they created a holiday in memory of their loving priest. Along with "Valentine's Day", the tradition of sending personal messages also gained popularity among love birds and such handwritten notes of love came to be known as "Valentine", a name drawn from the signature of Valentine's last letter to Asterius' daughter.
The first modern valentines reportedly became popular from the early 15th century. Following his defeat in the battle of Agincourt, the young French Duke of Orleans was captured and confined in the Tower of London for many years. During his captivity, he wrote many poems to his wife. About sixty of these remain and have been preserved among the royal papers in the British Museum.
When printers came in use, a limited number of cards with verses and sketches began to be produced. However, these were smaller and costlier than the handmade cards which were oversized but economical and elaborate.
By the 18th century, it became a common practice in England to exchange hand-made cards on Valentine's Day. People began to create valentine cards for their sweethearts by themselves out of lace or ribbons, and featuring cupids and hearts.
Gradually, the American colonies took on the tradition. But it only during the 1840s that Valentine's Day greeting cards began to be commercially produced in the U.S. The first American Valentine's Day greeting cards were created by Esther A. Howlanda Mount Holyoke, a graduate and native of Worcester. Mass. Regarded as the "Mother of the Valentine", Howland made elaborate "Valentine" cards with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as "scrap". It was only with Howland's mass production of the Valentine cards that the custom gained popularity in the United States.
With a reduction in postal rates in the early 19th century, the production of Valentines got a greater thrust. It also helped establish the custom of sending anonymous messages or cards to those one admired.
In the 21st century, Valentine's Day has become one of the major holidays in the world, especially in the U.S. where it has spawned a multimillion dollar greeting card industry. As per a survey by the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year in the U.S. are "Valentine"s. This is another evidence of the ever increasing popularity of the "Valentines", that are seen by many as an extension of the old love letters.
A message of love, that is what the "Valentine" is. Try sending one to your special someone on this Valentine's Day.
"I love you" in different languages
Afrikaans - Ek het jou lief
Albanian - Te dua
Arabic - Ana behibak (to male)
Arabic - Ana behibek (to female)
Armenian - Yes kez sirumen
Bambara - M'bi fe
Bangla - Aamee tuma ke bhalo baashi
Belarusian - Ya tabe kahayu
Bisaya - Nahigugma ako kanimo
Bosnian - Volim te
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Cambodian - Bung Srorlagn Oun (to female)
Oun Srorlagn Bung (to male)
Cantonese/Chinese Ngo oiy ney a
Catalan - T'estimo
Cheyenne - Ne mohotatse
Chichewa - Ndimakukonda
Corsican - Ti tengu caru (to male)
Creol - Mi aime jou
Croatian - Volim te
Czech - Miluji te
Danish - Jeg Elsker Dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
Elmer Fudd - I wove you
English - I love you
Esperanto - Mi amas vin
Estonian - Ma armastan sind
Ethiopian - Ewedishalehu : male/female to female
Ewedihalehu: male/female to male.
Faroese - Eg elski teg
Farsi - Doset daram
Filipino - Mahal kita
Finnish - Mina rakastan sinua
French - Je t'aime, Je t'adore
Gaelic - Ta gra agam ort
Georgian - Mikvarhar
German - Ich liebe dich
Greek - S'agapo
Gujarati - Hu tumney prem karu chu
Hiligaynon - Palangga ko ikaw
Hawaiian - Aloha wau ia oi
Hebrew - Ani ohev otah (to female)
Hebrew - Ani ohev et otha (to male)
Hiligaynon - Guina higugma ko ikaw
Hindi - Hum Tumhe Pyar Karte hai
Hmong - Kuv hlub koj
Hopi - Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Hungarian - Szeretlek
Icelandic - Ég elska þig
Ilonggo - Palangga ko ikaw
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu
Inuit - Negligevapse
Irish - Taim i' ngra leat
Italian - Ti amo
Japanese - Aishiteru
Kannada - Naa ninna preetisuve
Kapampangan - Kaluguran daka
Kikongo - Muke zolaka nge
Kiswahili - Nakupenda
Konkani - Tu magel moga cho
Korean - Sarang Heyo
Latin - Te amo
Latvian - Es tevi miilu
Lebanese - Bahibak
Lingala - Nalingi yo
Lithuanian - Tave myliu
Macedonian Te Sakam
Malay - Saya cintakan mu / Aku cinta padamu
Malayalam - Njan Ninne Premikunnu
Maltese - Inhobbok
Mandarin Chinese - Wo ai ni
Marathi - Me tula prem karto
Mohawk - Kanbhik
Moroccan - Ana moajaba bik
Nahuatl - Ni mits neki
Navaho - Ayor anosh'ni
Nepali - Ma Timilai Maya Garchhu
Norwegian - Jeg Elsker Deg
Pandacan - Syota na kita!!
Pangasinan - Inaru Taka
Papiamento - Mi ta stimabo
Persian - Doo-set daaram
Pig Latin - Iay ovlay ouyay
Polish - Kocham Cie
Portuguese - Amo-te
Romanian - TE IUBESC
Roman Numerals - 333
Russian - Ya tebya liubliu
Rwanda - Ndagukunda
Scot Gaelic - Tha gra\dh agam ort
Serbian - Volim te
Setswana - Ke a go rata
Sign Language - ,\,,/ (represents position of fingers when signing 'I Love You'
Sindhi - Maa tokhe pyar kendo ahyan
Sioux - Techihhila
Slovak - Lu`bim ta
Slovenian - Ljubim te
Spanish - Te quiero / Te amo
Surinam- Mi lobi joe
Swahili - Ninapenda wewe
Swedish - Jag alskar dig
Swiss-German - Ig liebe di
Tajik Man turo Dust Doram
Tagalog - Mahal kita
Taiwanese - Wa ga ei li
Tahitian - Ua Here Vau Ia Oe
Tamil - Naan unnai kathalikiraen
Telugu - Nenu ninnu premistunnanu
Thai - Chan rak khun (to male)
Thai - Phom rak khun (to female)
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - Ya tebe kahayu
Urdu - mai aap say pyaar karta hoo
Vietnamese - Anh ye^u em (to female)
Vietnamese - Em ye^u anh (to male)
Welsh - 'Rwy'n dy garu
Yiddish - Ikh hob dikh
Yoruba - Mo ni fe
Zimbabwe - Ndinokuda
Albanian - Te dua
Arabic - Ana behibak (to male)
Arabic - Ana behibek (to female)
Armenian - Yes kez sirumen
Bambara - M'bi fe
Bangla - Aamee tuma ke bhalo baashi
Belarusian - Ya tabe kahayu
Bisaya - Nahigugma ako kanimo
Bosnian - Volim te
Bulgarian - Obicham te
Cambodian - Bung Srorlagn Oun (to female)
Oun Srorlagn Bung (to male)
Cantonese/Chinese Ngo oiy ney a
Catalan - T'estimo
Cheyenne - Ne mohotatse
Chichewa - Ndimakukonda
Corsican - Ti tengu caru (to male)
Creol - Mi aime jou
Croatian - Volim te
Czech - Miluji te
Danish - Jeg Elsker Dig
Dutch - Ik hou van jou
Elmer Fudd - I wove you
English - I love you
Esperanto - Mi amas vin
Estonian - Ma armastan sind
Ethiopian - Ewedishalehu : male/female to female
Ewedihalehu: male/female to male.
Faroese - Eg elski teg
Farsi - Doset daram
Filipino - Mahal kita
Finnish - Mina rakastan sinua
French - Je t'aime, Je t'adore
Gaelic - Ta gra agam ort
Georgian - Mikvarhar
German - Ich liebe dich
Greek - S'agapo
Gujarati - Hu tumney prem karu chu
Hiligaynon - Palangga ko ikaw
Hawaiian - Aloha wau ia oi
Hebrew - Ani ohev otah (to female)
Hebrew - Ani ohev et otha (to male)
Hiligaynon - Guina higugma ko ikaw
Hindi - Hum Tumhe Pyar Karte hai
Hmong - Kuv hlub koj
Hopi - Nu' umi unangwa'ta
Hungarian - Szeretlek
Icelandic - Ég elska þig
Ilonggo - Palangga ko ikaw
Indonesian - Saya cinta padamu
Inuit - Negligevapse
Irish - Taim i' ngra leat
Italian - Ti amo
Japanese - Aishiteru
Kannada - Naa ninna preetisuve
Kapampangan - Kaluguran daka
Kikongo - Muke zolaka nge
Kiswahili - Nakupenda
Konkani - Tu magel moga cho
Korean - Sarang Heyo
Latin - Te amo
Latvian - Es tevi miilu
Lebanese - Bahibak
Lingala - Nalingi yo
Lithuanian - Tave myliu
Macedonian Te Sakam
Malay - Saya cintakan mu / Aku cinta padamu
Malayalam - Njan Ninne Premikunnu
Maltese - Inhobbok
Mandarin Chinese - Wo ai ni
Marathi - Me tula prem karto
Mohawk - Kanbhik
Moroccan - Ana moajaba bik
Nahuatl - Ni mits neki
Navaho - Ayor anosh'ni
Nepali - Ma Timilai Maya Garchhu
Norwegian - Jeg Elsker Deg
Pandacan - Syota na kita!!
Pangasinan - Inaru Taka
Papiamento - Mi ta stimabo
Persian - Doo-set daaram
Pig Latin - Iay ovlay ouyay
Polish - Kocham Cie
Portuguese - Amo-te
Romanian - TE IUBESC
Roman Numerals - 333
Russian - Ya tebya liubliu
Rwanda - Ndagukunda
Scot Gaelic - Tha gra\dh agam ort
Serbian - Volim te
Setswana - Ke a go rata
Sign Language - ,\,,/ (represents position of fingers when signing 'I Love You'
Sindhi - Maa tokhe pyar kendo ahyan
Sioux - Techihhila
Slovak - Lu`bim ta
Slovenian - Ljubim te
Spanish - Te quiero / Te amo
Surinam- Mi lobi joe
Swahili - Ninapenda wewe
Swedish - Jag alskar dig
Swiss-German - Ig liebe di
Tajik Man turo Dust Doram
Tagalog - Mahal kita
Taiwanese - Wa ga ei li
Tahitian - Ua Here Vau Ia Oe
Tamil - Naan unnai kathalikiraen
Telugu - Nenu ninnu premistunnanu
Thai - Chan rak khun (to male)
Thai - Phom rak khun (to female)
Turkish - Seni Seviyorum
Ukrainian - Ya tebe kahayu
Urdu - mai aap say pyaar karta hoo
Vietnamese - Anh ye^u em (to female)
Vietnamese - Em ye^u anh (to male)
Welsh - 'Rwy'n dy garu
Yiddish - Ikh hob dikh
Yoruba - Mo ni fe
Zimbabwe - Ndinokuda
Anti-smoking rules
Spain's strict new anti-smoking rules take effect
A tough anti-smoking law has taken effect in Spain.
The ban - one of the strictest in Europe - outlaws smoking in all bars and restaurants. Smokers will also be prohibited on television broadcasts, near hospitals or in school playgrounds.
The law tightens anti-smoking restrictions introduced in 2006.
Spain has a strong cafe culture and the owners of bars and cafes have complained the law will hurt business.
The anti-smoking rules introduced in 2006 outlawed smoking in the workplace, but it let bar and restaurant owners choose whether or not to allow it. Most chose not to impose any ban.
Only large restaurants and bars were obliged to provide a smoke-free area.
Hotel, restaurant and bar owners have said they could face a 10% drop in trade with the new rules. The industry has already seen a sharp fall in sales due to Spain's economic problems.
But doctors argue the new legislation will help smokers give up.
Some 160 Spaniards a day die from smoking-related illnesses, four of them from passive smoking.
A tough anti-smoking law has taken effect in Spain.
The ban - one of the strictest in Europe - outlaws smoking in all bars and restaurants. Smokers will also be prohibited on television broadcasts, near hospitals or in school playgrounds.
The law tightens anti-smoking restrictions introduced in 2006.
Spain has a strong cafe culture and the owners of bars and cafes have complained the law will hurt business.
The anti-smoking rules introduced in 2006 outlawed smoking in the workplace, but it let bar and restaurant owners choose whether or not to allow it. Most chose not to impose any ban.
Only large restaurants and bars were obliged to provide a smoke-free area.
Hotel, restaurant and bar owners have said they could face a 10% drop in trade with the new rules. The industry has already seen a sharp fall in sales due to Spain's economic problems.
But doctors argue the new legislation will help smokers give up.
Some 160 Spaniards a day die from smoking-related illnesses, four of them from passive smoking.
quarta-feira, 5 de janeiro de 2011
terça-feira, 4 de janeiro de 2011
Reporting Verbs
Fill the gaps using the following verbs. Use each verb once only.
advise hope promise suggest
beg insist remind threaten
deny invite refuse warn
1 "I didn't do it," she said.
She ________________ doing it.
2 "Have lunch with me," she said.
She ________________ me to have lunch with her.
3 "Why don't you buy one?" said Tom.
Tom ________________ I buy one.
4 "I promise I'll take you to Prague," said Mary.
Mary ________________ to take me to Prague.
5 "I hope Andy phones tonight," said Clare.
Clare ________________ Andy would phone that night.
6 "Please, please don't tell anyone!" he said.
He ________________ me not to tell anyone.
7 "I won't do it," he said.
He ________________ to do it.
8 "You should have lessons," she said.
She ________________ me to have lessons.
9 "We really must go with you," they said.
They ________________ on going with me.
10 "Don't forget to phone Granny," said Mum.
Mum ________________ me to phone Granny.
11 "If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard," said Maggy.
Maggie ________________ to pinch me very hard if I wore her T-shirt again.
12 "Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables," said my father.
My father ________________ me not to fly kites near electric overhead cables.
Reporting Verbs Exercise - answers
1 "I didn't do it," she said.
She denied doing it.
2 "Have lunch with me," she said.
She invited me to have lunch with her.
3 "Why don't you buy one?" said Tom.
Tom suggested I buy one.
4 "I promise I'll take you to Prague," said Mary.
Mary promised to take me to Prague.
5 "I hope Andy phones tonight," said Clare.
Clare hoped Andy would phone that night.
6 "Please, please don't tell anyone!" he said.
He begged me not to tell anyone.
7 "I won't do it," he said.
He refused to do it.
8 "You should have lessons," she said.
She advised me to have lessons.
9 "We really must go with you," they said.
They insisted on going with me.
10 "Don't forget to phone Granny," said Mum.
Mum reminded me to phone Granny.
11 "If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard," said Maggy.
Maggie threatened to pinch me very hard if I wore her T-shirt again.
12 "Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables," said my father.
My father warned me not to fly kites near electric overhead cables.
advise hope promise suggest
beg insist remind threaten
deny invite refuse warn
1 "I didn't do it," she said.
She ________________ doing it.
2 "Have lunch with me," she said.
She ________________ me to have lunch with her.
3 "Why don't you buy one?" said Tom.
Tom ________________ I buy one.
4 "I promise I'll take you to Prague," said Mary.
Mary ________________ to take me to Prague.
5 "I hope Andy phones tonight," said Clare.
Clare ________________ Andy would phone that night.
6 "Please, please don't tell anyone!" he said.
He ________________ me not to tell anyone.
7 "I won't do it," he said.
He ________________ to do it.
8 "You should have lessons," she said.
She ________________ me to have lessons.
9 "We really must go with you," they said.
They ________________ on going with me.
10 "Don't forget to phone Granny," said Mum.
Mum ________________ me to phone Granny.
11 "If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard," said Maggy.
Maggie ________________ to pinch me very hard if I wore her T-shirt again.
12 "Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables," said my father.
My father ________________ me not to fly kites near electric overhead cables.
Reporting Verbs Exercise - answers
1 "I didn't do it," she said.
She denied doing it.
2 "Have lunch with me," she said.
She invited me to have lunch with her.
3 "Why don't you buy one?" said Tom.
Tom suggested I buy one.
4 "I promise I'll take you to Prague," said Mary.
Mary promised to take me to Prague.
5 "I hope Andy phones tonight," said Clare.
Clare hoped Andy would phone that night.
6 "Please, please don't tell anyone!" he said.
He begged me not to tell anyone.
7 "I won't do it," he said.
He refused to do it.
8 "You should have lessons," she said.
She advised me to have lessons.
9 "We really must go with you," they said.
They insisted on going with me.
10 "Don't forget to phone Granny," said Mum.
Mum reminded me to phone Granny.
11 "If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard," said Maggy.
Maggie threatened to pinch me very hard if I wore her T-shirt again.
12 "Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables," said my father.
My father warned me not to fly kites near electric overhead cables.
Reported Speech
Reported Speech
Reported speech is usually used to talk about the past, so we normally change the tense of the words spoken. We use reporting verbs like 'say', 'tell', 'ask', and we may use the word 'that' to introduce the reported words.
She said, "I saw him."
She said that she had seen him.
'That' may be omitted:
She said she had seen him.
'Say' and 'tell':
Use 'say' when there is no indirect object:
He said that he was tired.
Direct - Reported
is seeing - was seeing
sees - saw
saw - had seen
has seen - had seen
will see - would see
is going to see - was going to see
can see - could see
here - there
this - that
these - those
now - then
today - that day
yesterday - the previous day
tomorrow - the next day
Reported Speech Exercises
Convert the phrases below into reported speech.
"It's raining," she said.
1 ______________________________________________
He said to her, "I love you."
2 ______________________________________________
"I saw María in the supermarket yesterday," said Carlos.
3 ______________________________________________
"We've lived here for three years," he said.
4 ______________________________________________
"I'll bring a pasta salad," said Francesca.
5 ______________________________________________
"Mark's going to install solar panels," said Miranda.
6 ______________________________________________
"They found gold here," said the geology teacher.
7 ______________________________________________
"Jenny can't speak French," said Pierre.
8 ______________________________________________
"I first met my wife in Seville," he told us.
9 ______________________________________________
"I want your homework handed in by tomorrow," he said.
10 ______________________________________________
"My mother made these cakes," said Juan.
11 ______________________________________________
"I'm feeling tired now," said David.
12 ______________________________________________
Answers
"It's raining," she said.
1 She said (that) it was raining.
He said to her, "I love you."
2 He told her (that) he loved her.
"I saw María in the supermarket yesterday," said Carlos.
3 Carlos said (that) he saw/had seen María in the supermarket the previous day.
"We've lived here for three years," he said.
4 He said (that) they had lived there for three years.
"I'll bring a pasta salad," said Francesca.
5 Francesca said (that) she would bring a pasta salad.
"Mark's going to install solar panels," said Miranda.
6 Miranda said (that) Mark was going to install solar panels.
"They found gold here," said the geology teacher.
7 The geology teacher said (that) they had found gold there.
"Jenny can't speak French," said Pierre.
8 Pierre said (that) Jenny couldn't speak French.
"I first met my wife in Seville," he told us.
9 He told them (that) he first met/ had first met his wife in Seville.
"I want your homework handed in by tomorrow," he said.
10 He said (that) he wanted their homework handed in by the next day.
"My mother made these cakes," said Juan.
11 Juan said (that) his mother made/had made those cakes.
"I'm feeling tired now," said David.
12 David said (that) he was feeling tired then.
Reported speech is usually used to talk about the past, so we normally change the tense of the words spoken. We use reporting verbs like 'say', 'tell', 'ask', and we may use the word 'that' to introduce the reported words.
She said, "I saw him."
She said that she had seen him.
'That' may be omitted:
She said she had seen him.
'Say' and 'tell':
Use 'say' when there is no indirect object:
He said that he was tired.
Direct - Reported
is seeing - was seeing
sees - saw
saw - had seen
has seen - had seen
will see - would see
is going to see - was going to see
can see - could see
here - there
this - that
these - those
now - then
today - that day
yesterday - the previous day
tomorrow - the next day
Reported Speech Exercises
Convert the phrases below into reported speech.
"It's raining," she said.
1 ______________________________________________
He said to her, "I love you."
2 ______________________________________________
"I saw María in the supermarket yesterday," said Carlos.
3 ______________________________________________
"We've lived here for three years," he said.
4 ______________________________________________
"I'll bring a pasta salad," said Francesca.
5 ______________________________________________
"Mark's going to install solar panels," said Miranda.
6 ______________________________________________
"They found gold here," said the geology teacher.
7 ______________________________________________
"Jenny can't speak French," said Pierre.
8 ______________________________________________
"I first met my wife in Seville," he told us.
9 ______________________________________________
"I want your homework handed in by tomorrow," he said.
10 ______________________________________________
"My mother made these cakes," said Juan.
11 ______________________________________________
"I'm feeling tired now," said David.
12 ______________________________________________
Answers
"It's raining," she said.
1 She said (that) it was raining.
He said to her, "I love you."
2 He told her (that) he loved her.
"I saw María in the supermarket yesterday," said Carlos.
3 Carlos said (that) he saw/had seen María in the supermarket the previous day.
"We've lived here for three years," he said.
4 He said (that) they had lived there for three years.
"I'll bring a pasta salad," said Francesca.
5 Francesca said (that) she would bring a pasta salad.
"Mark's going to install solar panels," said Miranda.
6 Miranda said (that) Mark was going to install solar panels.
"They found gold here," said the geology teacher.
7 The geology teacher said (that) they had found gold there.
"Jenny can't speak French," said Pierre.
8 Pierre said (that) Jenny couldn't speak French.
"I first met my wife in Seville," he told us.
9 He told them (that) he first met/ had first met his wife in Seville.
"I want your homework handed in by tomorrow," he said.
10 He said (that) he wanted their homework handed in by the next day.
"My mother made these cakes," said Juan.
11 Juan said (that) his mother made/had made those cakes.
"I'm feeling tired now," said David.
12 David said (that) he was feeling tired then.
A Christmas Story
The Christmas the Lights Went Out
by Chris Rose
Tom Jankowitz took his coat off and threw it onto the seat in the airport lounge. He sat down and opened up his laptop computer, keeping one eye on the small television which showed the departure times of all the flights from the airport.
Tom Jankowitz was tired. Tired and bored. It was Christmas, nearly. Tom hated Christmas. He only remembered that it would be Christmas tomorrow because there were Christmas decorations all over the airport, and he could see the date on the small television showing the departure times of all the flights. “December 24th” it said. “Happy Christmas” said all the notices in the windows of the shops. The shops were closed now. It was late. Tom was going home. He had been to a business meeting in New York and had to take a plane back home. The meeting had been difficult. He had decided to close a lot of his company’s offices. A lot of people were unhappy about his decision, but he didn’t care.
Tom thought that he would rather spend Christmas on his own in a hotel room with his computer. He didn’t really want to go home.
Anja Kohonen carefully checked the potatoes roasting in the oven, made sure the wine in the fridge was cold and that there was a bottle of champagne for later. She carefully checked the candles on the Christmas tree, as she didn’t want them to set fire to the tree. She looked out of the window. The snow was starting to fall again. She looked at her watch again.
Guy Domville finished his beer and walked out of the hot, smoky pub into the cold night air. He thought about getting a taxi home, but knew it would be difficult to find one at this time of the evening, especially on Christmas Eve. Anyway, because it was a clear, crisp night, he thought he would enjoy the walk home. It was late, and dark, and cold. There weren’t many people on the streets. A man came walking towards him. The man was only wearing a t-shirt. He looked like he was freezing cold.
“Are you all right?” Guy asked the man.
“I’m freezing” the man replied. Guy took off his coat, and gave it to the man.
“There you go!” said Guy. The man looked very surprised, but took the coat, put it on and went on his way.
“Thanks!” he shouted as he left. Now it was Guy who was freezing. He had no idea why he had just decided to give his coat to a complete stranger. Perhaps because it was nearly Christmas. Perhaps it was because Guy hadn’t given presents to anyone else this Christmas. Perhaps it was because this year he had no one to give any presents to.
Leila came out of church into the night. It was much colder than she expected. Every other time she had been to stay with her grandmother it had been very hot. She had no idea it could get so cold out here in Damascus, out here on the edge of the desert. That was OK though. She didn’t think that Christmas in a hot place would seem right somehow. Christmas had always been cold for her. She was happy to be here in such a beautiful place, with her mother and her grandmother. It was a shame her father wasn’t there, but she hadn’t heard from him in months now.
Rudolf Lenk was bored. Very bored. It was Christmas Eve, and he was stuck in an office, surrounded by computers, completely on his own. Rudolf could think of nothing more boring than this. It was only boredom, thought Rudolf later that made him do the stupid thing he decided to do.
Rudolf Lenk pulled a plug out. It was only a little plug. It wasn’t even hard to pull it out. That was all he did. He pulled a small plug out of a small socket.
And then.
And then.
And then.
Rudolf Lenk watched the lights go out. At first he watched the lights go out in the office where he was. Then he looked out of the window and watched all the lights go out in the town where
he was. And then he imagined what was happening.
All
across
the world,
one
by
one…
the lights were going out.
Tom Jankowitz hardly noticed as the television screen with the departure times on it flickered, then went off. He looked up just in time to see it before all the lights in the airport went off, too. For a few moments there was light coming in from the big window which looked out onto the runway of the airport, but then all the lights on the runway went out as well. Soon, everything was totally, completely and utterly black. The only light came from the tiny little lights on the wings of the aeroplanes, and the light from his own portable computer screen. Soon, there was an announcement:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that there seems to have been a power cut. All flights for the moment are cancelled. Thank you”.
A man sat down next to Tom.
“Looks like we’re not going anywhere tonight” he said. Tom didn’t reply, but nodded in agreement. Not going anywhere, he thought. Not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. Not tonight, not ever. The only places I ever go are offices of GlobalPower International. He looked at the light coming from his computer screen. Some numbers looked at him. Numbers were the only thing that he was going to see on Christmas Day. Some numbers, and his computer. Is that all there is to it? Nothing, thought Tom, is going anywhere.
In one second, everything went from light to dark for Anja. Her house, filled with light and warmth and the smells of cooking, went black. The only light and the only warmth came from the big fire that she had started. She looked at the fire which continued burning, filling the room with warm light. It looked good. It made her feel happy. It reminded her of when she was a child. She looked out of the window and saw that it was dark for as far as she could see. The flickering light from the fire illuminated the snowflakes that were now falling heavily outside. She wondered if anyone was coming to join her this evening.
It was completely quiet on the streets outside. Guy thought it was strange. Usually these streets were full of busy people. Now they were completely empty. The snow that had fallen looked like a carpet. Outside looked like inside. Walking home, lost in his thoughts and the snow, Guy hardly noticed that all the streetlights had gone out. The darkness around him was the same as the darkness he felt inside him.
Sometimes he could see into the windows of the houses that he passed. Most of the houses were dark, but some people had lit candles. The candles looked beautiful, he thought. The made the people’s houses look warm and friendly and cosy.
Guy felt sad that he was now going back to a house where no one had lit any candles. He didn’t want to go home. His flat was empty. It would be the first Christmas without his daughter and his ex-wife. He thought about how hot it would be where they were, and wondered what Christmas would be like for them. He hadn’t spoken to his daughter in over three months.
Guy didn’t want to go home. He thought about how his wife always said he worked too much, that he never took time to do the simple things in life. Now here he was, walking along the streets where he usually went to work, doing nothing. He decided that he would leave his job with Global Power in January. He wanted to walk these strange empty streets forever. Or at least until he could see his daughter again.
Leila looked up at the night sky so full of stars. She thought she had never seen so many stars in the sky when she lived in London. The city was so dark, it made it easier to see the sky. She walked with her mother along the narrow streets of the Christian quarter of old Damascus, all decorated for Christmas, and lit now with candles. She was happy here with her mother and grandmother, but she still missed her father, even though he hadn’t called.
Rudolf Lenk realised what he had done with a shock. He put the plug back in its socket. He
hoped nobody would have noticed what he had done.
And
Very
Very
Slowly
One. By. One.
The lights
across the world.
Came back on again.
Like a breath at first, like a tiny whisper which nobody could hear which grew and grew and grew, like the first ripple out in the sea which will become a gigantic wave, like the spark which lights a candle which can start a fire, like the first falling snowflake of a giant storm, like the first star which appears in the night sky and makes enough light for you to be able to see another, and then another, and another and more and more until the whole sky which covers the whole world is hung with starry, illuminated fruit, light connected to light until at midnight, the darkest point of the night the whole world was full of bright bright light.
Tom Jankowitz watched the lights going back on again in the airport and heard the sound of people cheering. He cheered as well, and smiled at the man who was sitting next to him. He felt like someone had turned a light on in him too. He was looking forward to being home. “I’m going somewhere” he thought. “I’ve got somewhere to go.”
Anja got up, and turned the lights that had come on off again. “I like the dark” she thought to herself. “I like the dark and the fire, just like this. That’s how I like it”. She curled up next to the fire, and fell asleep.
Guy was looking for a tiny piece of paper he remembered having put in his pocket months ago. It was so dark out here that he couldn’t see anything. His hands were so cold that it was difficult to find anything in his pockets.
Then, suddenly, everything became light. He realised that he was standing under a streetlight that had just come on again. He found the tiny piece of paper in his wallet with a long number written on it. The number had faded, but he could still read it. He found some one pound coins in his other pocket. He found a phone box, but the phone didn’t work. He walked some more until he found another phone box. He picked up the telephone receiver and heard the bleeping sound. It worked. He put the money in and began to dial the number.
Back at home in their flat with her mother and her grandmother, and all the other Syrian branch of her Anglo-Arabic family, Leila heard the old phone ringing. Who would be calling at this time of night? She ran across the room to answer it.
Rudolf Lenk was writing a note on a piece of paper. He addressed the note to his boss at GlobalPower International and left it on his desk. “Yes, it was me” he wrote. “And no, I don’t want my job anymore. Oh, and by the way, happy Christmas!”
The end
Comprehension Task
Matching activity
Match the descriptions below to the names of the people in the story.
• Decides she’s happy on her own
• Doesn’t like Christmas
• Gives his coat away
• Is cooking
• Leaves his job
• Lives in Syria
• Lives in the United States
• Thinks about leaving his job
• Used to live in Britain
• Works with computers
Tom Jankowitz
Anja Kohonen
Guy Domville
Leila
Rudolf Lenk
Vocabulary – Uses of the verb ‘look’ from the story
Fill in the gaps
Here are some uses of the verb look taken from the story.
Look at Look like Look out of Look up
Put one in each gap in the right form to complete the sentences.
1. There are a lot of clouds – it __________ it’s going to start snowing!
2. If you __________ the window of an aeroplane on Christmas Eve, you might see Santa Claus!
3. __________ the number of presents under the Christmas tree! Someone’s very lucky this year!
4. If you walk down the main street in December, make sure you _________ at the Christmas lights.
5. He _________ the address on the envelope to see who the Christmas card had come from.
6. When I was little, I remember thinking that Father Christmas __________ my dad
British Council
by Chris Rose
Tom Jankowitz took his coat off and threw it onto the seat in the airport lounge. He sat down and opened up his laptop computer, keeping one eye on the small television which showed the departure times of all the flights from the airport.
Tom Jankowitz was tired. Tired and bored. It was Christmas, nearly. Tom hated Christmas. He only remembered that it would be Christmas tomorrow because there were Christmas decorations all over the airport, and he could see the date on the small television showing the departure times of all the flights. “December 24th” it said. “Happy Christmas” said all the notices in the windows of the shops. The shops were closed now. It was late. Tom was going home. He had been to a business meeting in New York and had to take a plane back home. The meeting had been difficult. He had decided to close a lot of his company’s offices. A lot of people were unhappy about his decision, but he didn’t care.
Tom thought that he would rather spend Christmas on his own in a hotel room with his computer. He didn’t really want to go home.
Anja Kohonen carefully checked the potatoes roasting in the oven, made sure the wine in the fridge was cold and that there was a bottle of champagne for later. She carefully checked the candles on the Christmas tree, as she didn’t want them to set fire to the tree. She looked out of the window. The snow was starting to fall again. She looked at her watch again.
Guy Domville finished his beer and walked out of the hot, smoky pub into the cold night air. He thought about getting a taxi home, but knew it would be difficult to find one at this time of the evening, especially on Christmas Eve. Anyway, because it was a clear, crisp night, he thought he would enjoy the walk home. It was late, and dark, and cold. There weren’t many people on the streets. A man came walking towards him. The man was only wearing a t-shirt. He looked like he was freezing cold.
“Are you all right?” Guy asked the man.
“I’m freezing” the man replied. Guy took off his coat, and gave it to the man.
“There you go!” said Guy. The man looked very surprised, but took the coat, put it on and went on his way.
“Thanks!” he shouted as he left. Now it was Guy who was freezing. He had no idea why he had just decided to give his coat to a complete stranger. Perhaps because it was nearly Christmas. Perhaps it was because Guy hadn’t given presents to anyone else this Christmas. Perhaps it was because this year he had no one to give any presents to.
Leila came out of church into the night. It was much colder than she expected. Every other time she had been to stay with her grandmother it had been very hot. She had no idea it could get so cold out here in Damascus, out here on the edge of the desert. That was OK though. She didn’t think that Christmas in a hot place would seem right somehow. Christmas had always been cold for her. She was happy to be here in such a beautiful place, with her mother and her grandmother. It was a shame her father wasn’t there, but she hadn’t heard from him in months now.
Rudolf Lenk was bored. Very bored. It was Christmas Eve, and he was stuck in an office, surrounded by computers, completely on his own. Rudolf could think of nothing more boring than this. It was only boredom, thought Rudolf later that made him do the stupid thing he decided to do.
Rudolf Lenk pulled a plug out. It was only a little plug. It wasn’t even hard to pull it out. That was all he did. He pulled a small plug out of a small socket.
And then.
And then.
And then.
Rudolf Lenk watched the lights go out. At first he watched the lights go out in the office where he was. Then he looked out of the window and watched all the lights go out in the town where
he was. And then he imagined what was happening.
All
across
the world,
one
by
one…
the lights were going out.
Tom Jankowitz hardly noticed as the television screen with the departure times on it flickered, then went off. He looked up just in time to see it before all the lights in the airport went off, too. For a few moments there was light coming in from the big window which looked out onto the runway of the airport, but then all the lights on the runway went out as well. Soon, everything was totally, completely and utterly black. The only light came from the tiny little lights on the wings of the aeroplanes, and the light from his own portable computer screen. Soon, there was an announcement:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that there seems to have been a power cut. All flights for the moment are cancelled. Thank you”.
A man sat down next to Tom.
“Looks like we’re not going anywhere tonight” he said. Tom didn’t reply, but nodded in agreement. Not going anywhere, he thought. Not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. Not tonight, not ever. The only places I ever go are offices of GlobalPower International. He looked at the light coming from his computer screen. Some numbers looked at him. Numbers were the only thing that he was going to see on Christmas Day. Some numbers, and his computer. Is that all there is to it? Nothing, thought Tom, is going anywhere.
In one second, everything went from light to dark for Anja. Her house, filled with light and warmth and the smells of cooking, went black. The only light and the only warmth came from the big fire that she had started. She looked at the fire which continued burning, filling the room with warm light. It looked good. It made her feel happy. It reminded her of when she was a child. She looked out of the window and saw that it was dark for as far as she could see. The flickering light from the fire illuminated the snowflakes that were now falling heavily outside. She wondered if anyone was coming to join her this evening.
It was completely quiet on the streets outside. Guy thought it was strange. Usually these streets were full of busy people. Now they were completely empty. The snow that had fallen looked like a carpet. Outside looked like inside. Walking home, lost in his thoughts and the snow, Guy hardly noticed that all the streetlights had gone out. The darkness around him was the same as the darkness he felt inside him.
Sometimes he could see into the windows of the houses that he passed. Most of the houses were dark, but some people had lit candles. The candles looked beautiful, he thought. The made the people’s houses look warm and friendly and cosy.
Guy felt sad that he was now going back to a house where no one had lit any candles. He didn’t want to go home. His flat was empty. It would be the first Christmas without his daughter and his ex-wife. He thought about how hot it would be where they were, and wondered what Christmas would be like for them. He hadn’t spoken to his daughter in over three months.
Guy didn’t want to go home. He thought about how his wife always said he worked too much, that he never took time to do the simple things in life. Now here he was, walking along the streets where he usually went to work, doing nothing. He decided that he would leave his job with Global Power in January. He wanted to walk these strange empty streets forever. Or at least until he could see his daughter again.
Leila looked up at the night sky so full of stars. She thought she had never seen so many stars in the sky when she lived in London. The city was so dark, it made it easier to see the sky. She walked with her mother along the narrow streets of the Christian quarter of old Damascus, all decorated for Christmas, and lit now with candles. She was happy here with her mother and grandmother, but she still missed her father, even though he hadn’t called.
Rudolf Lenk realised what he had done with a shock. He put the plug back in its socket. He
hoped nobody would have noticed what he had done.
And
Very
Very
Slowly
One. By. One.
The lights
across the world.
Came back on again.
Like a breath at first, like a tiny whisper which nobody could hear which grew and grew and grew, like the first ripple out in the sea which will become a gigantic wave, like the spark which lights a candle which can start a fire, like the first falling snowflake of a giant storm, like the first star which appears in the night sky and makes enough light for you to be able to see another, and then another, and another and more and more until the whole sky which covers the whole world is hung with starry, illuminated fruit, light connected to light until at midnight, the darkest point of the night the whole world was full of bright bright light.
Tom Jankowitz watched the lights going back on again in the airport and heard the sound of people cheering. He cheered as well, and smiled at the man who was sitting next to him. He felt like someone had turned a light on in him too. He was looking forward to being home. “I’m going somewhere” he thought. “I’ve got somewhere to go.”
Anja got up, and turned the lights that had come on off again. “I like the dark” she thought to herself. “I like the dark and the fire, just like this. That’s how I like it”. She curled up next to the fire, and fell asleep.
Guy was looking for a tiny piece of paper he remembered having put in his pocket months ago. It was so dark out here that he couldn’t see anything. His hands were so cold that it was difficult to find anything in his pockets.
Then, suddenly, everything became light. He realised that he was standing under a streetlight that had just come on again. He found the tiny piece of paper in his wallet with a long number written on it. The number had faded, but he could still read it. He found some one pound coins in his other pocket. He found a phone box, but the phone didn’t work. He walked some more until he found another phone box. He picked up the telephone receiver and heard the bleeping sound. It worked. He put the money in and began to dial the number.
Back at home in their flat with her mother and her grandmother, and all the other Syrian branch of her Anglo-Arabic family, Leila heard the old phone ringing. Who would be calling at this time of night? She ran across the room to answer it.
Rudolf Lenk was writing a note on a piece of paper. He addressed the note to his boss at GlobalPower International and left it on his desk. “Yes, it was me” he wrote. “And no, I don’t want my job anymore. Oh, and by the way, happy Christmas!”
The end
Comprehension Task
Matching activity
Match the descriptions below to the names of the people in the story.
• Decides she’s happy on her own
• Doesn’t like Christmas
• Gives his coat away
• Is cooking
• Leaves his job
• Lives in Syria
• Lives in the United States
• Thinks about leaving his job
• Used to live in Britain
• Works with computers
Tom Jankowitz
Anja Kohonen
Guy Domville
Leila
Rudolf Lenk
Vocabulary – Uses of the verb ‘look’ from the story
Fill in the gaps
Here are some uses of the verb look taken from the story.
Look at Look like Look out of Look up
Put one in each gap in the right form to complete the sentences.
1. There are a lot of clouds – it __________ it’s going to start snowing!
2. If you __________ the window of an aeroplane on Christmas Eve, you might see Santa Claus!
3. __________ the number of presents under the Christmas tree! Someone’s very lucky this year!
4. If you walk down the main street in December, make sure you _________ at the Christmas lights.
5. He _________ the address on the envelope to see who the Christmas card had come from.
6. When I was little, I remember thinking that Father Christmas __________ my dad
British Council
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