Wednesday 24 June 2015

HOBBIES AND PASTIMES (B1 Course)

Recreation is important because it helps people relax. When people have fun they reduce their stress levels and improve their health. Healthy people are more productive. Types of recreation include: playing sports, visiting family members and friends, going to the zoo, enjoying the beach, and watching a movie. 

Having a hobby is a great way to relax and enjoy your free time, and spending time developing interests can also have many emotional, intellectual, and health benefits. Write a sample sentence for each word to learn how it is used in context. Use the Internet to find related information 



  1. bird watching
  2. coin collecting
  3. cooking
  4. dancing
  5. drawing
  6. gardening
  7. genealogy
  8. hiking
  9. knitting
  10. painting
  11. photography
  12. playing chess
  13. playing the piano
  14. pottery
  15. quilting
  16. reading
  17. scrapbooking
  18. stamp collecting
  19. surfing the Internet
  20. woodworking

Now, complete the sentences below with the best answer:
1. Laurie decided to take up _______________ as a hobby because she has always been fascinated with old money.A. knitting B. coin collecting C. dancing
2. I developed an interest in ____________ after my grandmother told me about our ancestors.
A. genealogy B. gardening C. cooking
3. Since she loves working with her hands and clay, __________ was the ideal hobby for her.
A. photography B. quilting C. pottery



IFollow-Up: Top
Search the Internet to find out more about two of the hobbies listed above. What supplies are needed for each hobby? Which hobbies are popular among teens, adults, and seniors?


Listening

Peter’s hobbies ; Melissa’ hobbies. Listen to these two audios and write your answers on this worksheet (year 5)
Free Time An interview with an 11-year-old. Vocabulary and Comprehension quizzes available
Things to do Choose an article to read and/or listen to
Listening Activity for Hobbies Vocabulary A challenging listening comprehension activity (year 6)

Watching

Alfy Goes Camping An interactive book to watch, read and play with online. Some may find childish. See below for more (year 5)
Top 5 Strangest Hobbies In The World (3:31) Just for the weird fun of it

Speaking

What do you do for fun? (3:22) Asking about hobbies, example dialogue phrases to practise
Hobby – Questions and Answers Learn different ways to ask and answer by listening to these sentences and make your own dialogues (year 6)
20 Conversation Questions to choose from for your class (year 6)

More Materials

11 Surprising Celebrity Hobbies Odd things famous people are into
Alfy’s Stories If your class enjoyed Alfy, here are some more stories
277 FREE ESL Hobbies printable worksheets, exercises to download and copy
ESL/EFL Teaching Resources Loads of pdf-worksheets
Which activities would you like to do? Explore new hobbies. A long list of ideas that pupils can find information about as a project

General Free Time Activities B1 Course

What do you do in your free time?


Go to the cinema - to see Hollywood blockbuster movies, Bollywood movies (from India), art films, animated films. You can also say go to the movies.
Some film categories are: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Action, Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Fantasy, Documentary, Musical.
Watch TV - Different types of television programs are: The News, Soap Operas, Criminal Investigation Dramas, Medical Dramas, Reality TV, Situation Comedies (Sit-Coms), Talk Shows, Documentaries, Cartoons, Game Shows, Sports programs, Movies, Political programs, Religious programs.
Spend time with family - You can do many things with your family. Usually, the fact that you are together is more important than the activity.
Go out with friends - You can also do many things with your friends, like go out to a bar, go dancing at a club, have dinner at a restaurant, play a sport, sit down and talk, go out for a coffee, have a barbecue, or any other activity that you all enjoy. Or sometimes when you don't do anything specific, you can say hang out with friends.
Surf the internet - On the internet, you can research a topic you are interested in using a search engine, visit your favourite websites, watch music videos, create your own video and upload it for other people to see, maintain contact with your friends using a social networking site, write your thoughts in a blog, learn what is happening in the world by reading news websites, etc.
Play video games - You can play games on your computer or on a game consoles, like PlayStation, X-Box, Wii, PSP, Gameboy, etc. You can play on your own or with your friends or family.
Play a musical instrument - Learn to play the piano, guitar, violin, cello, flute, piano accordion, mouth organ, panpipes, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, etc. You can play on your own or with a group, such as a band or an orchestra.
Listen to music - Turn up the volume and listen to your favourite type of music, such as pop, rock, hip hop, rhythm & blues, blues, jazz, classical, soul, heavy metal.
Read - Many people love to read both fiction and non-fiction books and magazines. If you like fiction, you can read novels, short stories, crime fiction, romance, etc. If you like non-fiction, you can read biographies, autobiographies, or books on history, science, philosophy, religion, or any other topic you are interested in.
Write - Many people like to write in their diary. Another name for a diary is a journal. You can also write many other things, such as poetry, novels, letters, short stories, etc. (See under Read for more options).
Go to the park - You can go to the park alone, with family or with friends. You can take a picnic rug and a picnic basket and have a picnic. You can read, sleep, kick a football around, climb trees or play on the children's playground.
Go to cultural locations and events - There are many types of cultural locations and events. You can go to the museum, to an art gallery or to the zoo to see animals from around the world. You can go to concerts, plays, musicals, dance recitals and opera performances.
Go shopping - Many people like to go to shopping malls and areas of the city that are known for shopping to buy clothes or items for their houses and gardens.
Cook - Many people like to cook different types of food. You can make meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can bake cakes, cookies, slices and pastries in the oven. Some people boast that they have a special recipe - ask them to cook it for you!
Study something - There are many things that you can study just because you find it interesting! You can study a language; you can learn a skill, such as cooking or making furniture; or you can even study the hieroglyphs of the ancient Egyptians, if you want to!
Art and crafts - There are many, many arts and crafts that you can learn and practice. You can paint, draw, sew, crochet, knit, sculpt, engrave, make furniture, make jewelry, or you can even create your own new art form!
Gardening - You can plant flowers, vegetables or herbs and maintain your garden by watering it, pulling the weeds and feeding it with fertilizer.
Exercise and play a sport - To stay fit and healthy, you can do exercise alone, such as swimming or working out at a gym, or you can play a team sport, such as football or basketball. For more information on sports and exercise, go to our Sports Page.

Tuesday 23 June 2015

FOOD AND DRINK B1 COURSE






Food quiz

1          Name one red meat and three kinds of poultry.

2          Stilton, Brie, Camembert and Edam are all kinds of what?

3          What is the difference between 'biscuits' and 'cookies'?

4          Name six kinds of seafood.

5          What is the difference between the following: bread, roll, croissant, bun?

6          Name two important ingredients for Thai food.

7          What's the difference between a pie and a tart?

8          Spaghetti, tagliatelle, macaroni, penne, and ravioli are all kinds of what?

9          What's the difference between French fries, chips and crisps?

10        Which countries do these famous dishes come from and what are their
            ingredients?
                        paella              felafel             tiramisu          haggis  
                        borscht           sauerkraut     moussaka       chicken biriyani


 Food

Think of:

            a food for a picnic ____________
            a food for health   _____________
            a food that’s ‘naughty but nice’ ________________
            a food for the rich and famous ______________
            a food for romance ________________
            a food that reminds you of your childhood ______________
            a food for a wedding ____________
            a dish for a first date ______________
            a food for a business meeting _______________
            a food that reminds you of travel ________________
            a food for the elderly __________________
            a food from a hot country _______________
            a food for Christmas __________________
            a drink for celebrating ___________________
            a drink for

Compare your list with your partner.

What's the difference between 'food' and 'dish'?


Which of the foods you have listed are…

sweet              savoury           bland               spicy
juicy                crispy              crunchy


What kinds of food or drink could you describe as…

tough – tender
sweet – dry
well done – rare
firm – runny

Group the following adjectives together according to basic meanings.
Which have positive or negative connotations?

bland                          spicy               rich                             sweet                         
chewy                         greasy             mild                            fragrant                      
an acquired taste        smelly             strong tasting              strange or unpleasant
a delicate taste                       tough              sickly                         


WELL, HERE YOU ARE SOME MORE INTERESTING ACTIVITIES TO LEARN AND REVISE VOCABULARY RELATED TO FOOD & DRINK
vocabulary/food-upper-intermediate-exercises

Monday 22 June 2015

SOME VOCABULARY AND ACTIVITIES ABOUT TRAVELLING (B1 LC)

TRAVELLING
accomodationalojamiento
admission feecoste de la entrada
brochurefolleto
camping site, campsitesitio para acampar
car rental (US)alquiler de coches
car hire (GB)alquiler de coches
car park (GB)estacionamiento
caravancasa rodante, rulot, caravana
city centre (GB)centro de la ciudad
cruisecrucero
double roomhabitación doble
double room with twin bedshabitación doble con dos camas
downtown (US)centro de la ciudad
flightvuelo
fortnightquincena
guesthousecasa de huéspedes, pensión
guideguía
high seasontemporada alta
hiking trailsendero de caminata
holidays (GB)vacaciones
holidaymakerveraneante, turista
hostelhostal
hotelhotel
hotel chaincadena de hoteles
innposada
low seasontemporada baja
motor-homecasa rodante
one-way ticket (US)viaje de ida
package dealpaquete
parking lot (US)estacionamiento
resortlugar de vacaciones
return ticket (GB)viaje de ida y vuelta
round ticket (US)viaje de ida y vuelta
seasontemporada
sightseeing tourvisita con guía
single ticket (GB)viaje de ida
single roomhabitación simple
sightseerturista, excursionista
ski resortestación de esquí
sun lotionbronceador
sunglassesgafas de sol
sunblockfiltro solar
sunburnquemadura de sol
theme parkparque de diversiones
time-sharingtiempo compartido
tour operatorempresa de viajes
tourist officeoficina de turismo
travel agencyagencia de viajes
travel agentagente de viajes
vacation (US)vacaciones
voyageviaje (en barco o nave espacial)
waiting listlista de espera
youth hostelalbergue juvenil
to bookreservar
to confirmconfirmar
to driveconducir
to flyvolar
to go on holiday (GB) / vacation (US)irse de vacaciones
to go abroadirse al extranjero
to go campingir de camping
to go climbingir a escalar
to go hikingir a dar una caminata
to go mountaineeringhacer alpinismo
to go sightseeingvisitar lugares de interés
to go skiingir a esquiar
to go swimmingir a nadar
to go to the beachir a la playa
to have a good timepasarlo bien
to have a bad timepasarlo mal
to make a reservationreservar
to hold a reservationmantener una reserva
to planorganizar
to rent a caralquilar un auto
to staypermanecer
to sunbathetomar sol
to take a holiday (GB) / vacation (US)tomarse vacaciones
to take a photographtomar una fotografía
to travelviajar

Holiday Vocabulary: Travel Prepositions

On this page you will learn how to use different prepositions in common expressions to do with travel.

Choose

Match the preposition to the correct word or expression:
A) You get  a bus but B)  a car.

C) You get  a train but D)  of a taxi.

E) You can go  foot or F)  bicycle.

G) You wait  the platform but the train stands H)  the platform.

I) You book  a hotel when you arrive and check J)  when you leave.
Check your answer

Remember

Complete the gaps in the following sentences with the missing words.
A) When we arrived I booked  the hotel and te porter took our luggage to the room.
B) I got  the car and drove off. 
C) I was waiting  the platform when someone said the train had been cancelled.
D) The Manager told us we needed to check  of the hotel by 10.00am.
E) Get  the bus at the next stop and you'll see the bank on the corner.
F) The train standing  Platform 3 stops at all stations to Euston.
G) I stopped and got  of the car when I heard a strange noise coming from the engine.
H) Sam is planning to travel all the way to Greece  bicycle.
I) The best way to see the local countryside is to go  foot through some of the lovely villages.
J) I got  the bus and paid my fare.
Check your answer

Holiday Vocabulary: Types of Holiday

On this page you will practise some of the vocabulary to describe different types of holiday.

Choose

Complete each definition with the correct word:
A) A holiday organised by a travel agent which includes the cost of your hotel and transport. A holiday.
B)
 A holiday spent in the mountains moving across the snow.  
C) You do this when you want to see interesting buildings and places.  
D) A holiday spent in a tent.  
E) A holiday 'on the move' visiting different places. A  holiday.
F) A holiday spent on a ship. A  
G) A way of travelling by getting free lifts from motorists.  
H) A holiday where you travel with your luggage on your back. 
Check your answer

Remember

Complete the gaps in the following sentences with the correct word.
A) I hate the snow and I'm completely unfit so a  holiday really doesn't interest me. 
B) We spent our holiday last year  around Italy by coach.
C) Elderly people often go on a  as they can take it easy on the ship. 
D) I think  is the best way to travel - like a tortoise with your home on your back!
E) We usually go on a  holiday as we like it when the travel agent arranges everything for us.
F) I'd love to go  but my wife doesn't like the idea of sleeping in a tent.
G) My sister wants to go  but my dad doesn't think it's safe for a girl to get in a stranger's car.
H) We did lots of  while we were on holiday in London and took photographs of all the famous buildings.
Check your answer

Holiday Vocabulary: Accommodation

On this page you will practise some of the vocabulary to describe holiday accommodation.

Choose

Complete each definition with the correct word:
A) A small property, often managed by a family.  
B)
 The place to go with your tent.  
C) If you stay here you might have to share a room.  
D) If you want entertainment for the children go here.  
E) If you want a room and all your meals cooked for you book this.  
F) If you want a room but will be using local restaurants for lunch and dinner book this. 
G) If you want a room plus breakfast and dinner in the hotel book this.  
H) If you only want accommodation and no meals book this. 
Check your answer

Remember

Complete the gaps in the following sentences with the correct word.
A) I've booked my holiday. I'm staying in a family-run  . 
B) I don't like self-  holidays. I don't want to cook all my own meals when I'm trying to relax.
C) If we pay for full  we'll have to return to the hotel to eat at lunch and dinner time. Let's pay for  board instead and just have breakfast and evening dinner at the hotel.
E) The  was so noisy I took down the tent and found somewhere else.
F) I shared a room with some Italian students in the youth  I stayed in last year.
G) The children need activities to keep them entertained so we're going to a holiday again this year.
H) The room costs £25 for bed and  so you will have to add the cost of your lunch and dinner as well.
Check your answer