Este mes os voy a dejar con otra entrega de mi libro 'Aethelflaed and the Rock Star' (Rojo = B2/C1). Aparte de la historia y las actividades, hay ejercicios y lecciones al final, y voy a incluir algunos de ellos para vosotros. Recuerda que el libro esta disponible en Amazon.es en formato digital (2,99€) o de bolsillo (3,43€). El primer libro ('Aethelflaed and the Rock Star') se puede comprar ya por sólo 0,99€ ¡Perfecto para practicar en verano!
Last - The Last - The Latest
In many languages these two words have the same translation, so it's quite common to make a mistake here. Fortunately, it's not difficult to understand.
'Last' week is the week that has just passed. The same applies to 'Last month' (July, if you are in August) 'Last year' (2025, if you read this in 2026) etc...
The plural of last is 'The last few' weeks. Instead of just one week before, maybe two or three weeks.
'The last' week is the last week of a period. It is the opposite to 'First'. For example, December is the last month of the year. Look at the difference:
- 'Have you been on holiday?'
- 'Yes, we went to Cornwall last week,' (= the week before) 'And you?'
- 'No, not yet. We have to wait until the last week of August.' (24th -30th August) 'I desperately need a holiday. The last few weeks (= 2 or 3 weeks before speaking) have been so stressful!'
There is also another confusion: 'The latest', which has the same translation as 'Last' in many languages, yet means something quite different. It is basically the same as 'the most recent', and is often used to talk about the latest news, the latest fashion..
Remember that if you are going to use a possessive (your, his, Aethelflaed's...), this will replace 'the' in 'the last....' or 'the latest....'
So let's look at some other examples. Choose the most appropriate option from (a) 'last', (b 'the last few', (c) 'the last' and (d) 'the latest':
At the beginning of the story, __________ days had been very changeable.
Ayaan was Natalia's ________ boyfriend.
'When was ________ time you saw your mum?' Moonzip asked.
'_______ summer' Aethelflaed replied.
Samantha listened to ________ number 1 hit non-stop for two weeks.
Aethelflaed went to see Moonzip for ________ time.
________ weeks, Aethelflaed had been cycling around the fruit farms.
Aethelflaed was nervous as she opened _______ letter.
'Settle'
Here's another word with a lot of meanings. Basically, 'to settle' means 'to establish oneself', but behind this vague definition there are many uses. We've already seen in the first book ('Aethelflaed and the Missing Trophy') about the Vikings that settled in the British Isles. That's probably the most classical use of the word, but let's look at some more examples from the story:
(18-19) People thought Joe Cur was going to settle down with Moonzip's mum.
(47-48) Norman told Aethelflaed that it was all settled on his side.
(64-65) Athelstan had settled on an idea about Moonzip and then had to change it.
(72-73) Alfred (their father) was settled in the armchair.
(77-78) In the end Aethelflaed settled on 'Take Me to the River' for the first audition.
(105-106) Moonzip really settled into life in Davingstock. He didn't miss Beverly Hills.
Which one means:
To make a decision (2 examples)
To adapt to a new environment (a new job, for example)
To be comfortable
To have a quieter, more sedate life with a family, regular job....
To have a set opinion about something.
Make or Do?
These phrases with 'Make' and 'Do' all appear in the story. Let's see if you remember.
There are no clear rules, but some general ideas:
-When you aren't referring to anything in particular, use 'Do': Do a good job, do something well, What are you doing? He doesn't do anything....
-All the housework is 'Do' - except one!
-'Make' has a general idea of creating something, or a process of transformation: Make a cake, a coffee...
-You also 'make' if it affects another person. This can mean telling them or ordering them to do something.
Complete using Make or Do:
_______ an exception
_______ a (phone) call
_______ a donation
_______the dishes
_______ excuses
_______ the chores
_______damage
_______ a decision
_______ promises
_______ a deal
_______ a gesture
_______ your life difficult
_______ the laundry
_______ sure
_______ your sums
_______ another job
It'll _______ the boy good
_______ Moonzip write a letter
_______ Moonzip feel better
_______ Moonzip think
_______ what/as I say
_______ the beds
_______ a note of something
_______ Aethelflaed throw up
_______ plans
_______ yourself clear
_______a point of (ignoring her)
_______ your best
_______ things easy
_______ the shopping
Prepositions
It doesn't matter what level a student has, this is always something that causes problems, even among the most advanced students. This is because there is no easy way to know which preposition to use because there is rarely any logic or a rule you can apply. In these cases there is only one solution: Practice!
These all appear in the story. If you've been paying attention, it should be easy, but careful – in some cases no preposition is needed!
To focus (or concentrate)______ something.
To be interested______something.
To accuse somebody______ doing something.
To glare (or stare) _____ somebody .
To call or phone or ring _____ somebody.
Something is related _______something else.
To depend ______ something or somebody.
To throw something ______ someone or something (2 options).
Something leads ________ something else.
To disapprove ______ someone or something.
Be grateful _________ someone ________ something.
Waste (or spend) your time ________.
Aethelflaed thought ________ going with Samantha.
To be keen _______ something.
To pay _______ something.
To pay _______ someone.
To trust ______ someone (2 options).
To be ________ your/one side.
Feel sorry _______ somebody.Have your leg cut _______ by a train.
|Jonathan Olliffe
(profesornativogratis.com)
