Final Tips on Oral Test

 Oral Tests are about to come...

Please keep your practice alive and,  whenever possible, take advantage of any opportunity you might have  to speak outside the classroom.

Here you have a reminder to help you do better when sitting your exam next week.

Last but not least is my advice to try and relax. 

 

Interaction

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All, no, none, each, every, either, neither

She works all day everyday.

Notice the difference. Can you?

All  can be followed by of to show the amount of something
  Rob used all (of) the paper.

All can be used for emphasis. Note the position.
    They all wore blue shorts and shirts.
    Those stamps you gave me have all disappeared.

All means the only thing when it is used in the construction all + subject + verb.
    All I want is some peace and quiet.
It is unusual to use all as a single-word subject or object. Instead we use everything to mean 'all the things'.
    Everything has gone wrong! (NOT All has gone wrong!)

    Thanks for everything  (NOT Thanks for all)

We tend to use everybody and not all the people

No           When no is used to show the quantity of something, it can mean not any.
    There are no plates left. No new students have joined the class.

• No is not normally used alone before an adjective. Compare:
      This book doesn’t have any interesting parts. (usual)
      There are no interesting parts in this book. (unusual – very emphatic)
   

None       We do not use no of. Instead, we use none of or none on its own.
    None of the films that are showing in town look very interesting.
    I’ve checked all the films that are showing in town. None look very interesting.
-In everyday speech none is often followed by a plural verb form.

-In formal speech or writing it can be followed by a singular verb form.
    None of these telephones work.
    None of the members of the committee has arrived yet.

• To emphasize the idea of none we can use none at all or not one.
      A: How many people came to the party?
      B: None! / None at all! / Not one!

Each, every       The meaning of each and every is very similar and often either word is possible.
    Each / Every time I come here I walk round the park.
But sometimes there is a small difference. 

-We use each when we think of the single items in a group, one by one. 

-We use every when we think of the items in a group all together. Compare:
    They gave a medal to each member of the team. // I believed every word he said.

• Each can refer to only two items, while every cannot.
      She kissed him on each cheek.
      She kissed every member of the winning team.
• We can use each of, but we cannot use every of.
      When the team won the cup, each of them was given a medal.
• Each can be used after the subject, or at the end of a sentence.
      The team members each received a medal.
      The team members received a medal each.
• Repeated actions are generally described with every.
      I practise the violin every day.

Both, Either, neither

1) Both means two of two things.  >  I have two cats. I like both of them.

2) Neither means not one or the other of two things.  > Neither of my cats is grey.
* Remember to use a singular verb after neither.
Neither of the dogs are dangerous. => Neither of the dogs is dangerous.

3) Either means one or the other. There are two cakes. Please have one. You can have either one.

1) You can use both, neither and either directly before a noun.
Both supermarkets are good.
Neither supermarket sells electrical goods.
We can go to either supermarket, I don’t mind.

2) Both, neither and either are often used with ‘of’. But you must always use a determiner (the, my, these, those, his etc) before the noun.

Both of children like chocolate cake. => Both of the children like chocolate cake.

However, you don’t have to use of with both.
Both of the children like chocolate cake.
Both children like chocolate cake.

3) You can use both, neither and either+ of + object pronoun (you, them, us).

Both of them wore white dresses. 
Neither of us was late. 
Have either of you got a pen?

4) You can use both ... and ...; neither ... nor ..., and either ... or ....

Both James and Diana work here.
Neither James nor Diana works here.

Rules  SOURCE

PRACTICE: Fill in with:

Activity SOURCE

All / all of most / most of no / none of etc.

• All cars have wheels.

• Some cars can go faster than others.

• No cars. (= no cars allowed)

• I don't go out very often. I'm at home most days.

You cannot say 'all of cars', 'most of people' etc.

• Some people are very unfriendly, (not 'some of people')

 Note that we say most (not 'the most'):

• Most tourists don't visit this part of the town, (not 'the most tourists')

Some of... / most of... / none of... etc.

You can use the words in the box (also none and half) with of. You can say some of (the people),

most of (my friends), none of (this money) etc.

We use some of, most of (etc.) + the / this / that / these / those / my / his / Ann's... etc.

So we say:  Some of the people, some of those people (but not 'some of people')

Most of my friends, most of Ann's friends (but not 'most of friends')

None of this money, none of their money (but not 'none of money')

For example:

• Some of the people I work with are very friendly.

• None of this money is mine.

• Have you read any of these books?

• I wasn't well yesterday. I spent most of the day in bed.

You don't need of after all or half. So you can say:

• All my friends live in London, or All of my friends...

• Half this money is mine or  Half of this money....

Compare all... and all (of) the...:

• All flowers are beautiful. (= all flowers in general)

• All (of) the flowers in this garden are beautiful. (= a particular group of flowers)

You can use all of / some of / none of etc. + it/us/you/them:

 'How many of these people do you know? 'None of them.' / 'A few of them.'

• Do any of you want to come to a party tonight?

• 'Do you like this music? 'Some of it.  Not all of it.'

Before it/us/you/them you need of after all and half (all of, half of):
all of us (not 'all us')            half of them (not 'half them')

You can use the words in the box (and also none) alone, without a noun:

• Some cars have four doors and some have two.

• A few of the shops were open but most (of them) were closed.

• Half (of) this money is mine, and half (of it) is yours, (not 'the half)

Source Learn English

Writing: A Report

A report is a formal document prepared by one person or a group of people who have been studying a particular subject. There are two basic kinds of reports:

·                     The first simply provides information on a topic and gives a brief conclusion or summary at the end. Example: a report on the educational system in a particular country, written to help someone research the subject.

·                     The second sets out to identify strengths and weaknesses in a particular situation and make recommendations for improvement. Example: a report on the library facilities in a college written at the request of the principal.

Language and register

Reports are the most impersonal kind of writing and it is usually best to avoid expressing personal opinions or feelings, except, perhaps, in the conclusion. Instead of I think that … or I found that… for example, you can use the impersonal “It” construction and a passive, eg It seems that… It was found that …

It is also advisable to avoid making very definite statements unless you’re absolutely sure they’re true. Instead of saying It is for example, you can use a modal verb eg It could/may/might be or a more tentative expression such as It seems to be or It tends to be.

Useful language

You have to make sure that your language is formal.

 

Introduction

- The aim of this report is to…

- This report is intended to…

Reporting results

- Most people seem to feel that...

- Several people said/told me/suggested/thought that…

Presenting a list

- They gave/suggested the following reasons:

- They made the following points: 1… 2 …

Making recommendations

- I would therefore recommend (that we expand the library/installing a new coffee machine)

- It would seem that (banning mobile phones) is the best idea.

Here is a typical task:

Write a report suggesting improvements to classes at Today School.

Look at a student’s answer to the question.

Introduction The aim of this report is to compare different ideas to make classes in Today School more enjoyable for students while learning at the same time. A large number of students were interviewed to find out differing opinions.  Classroom Activities Some of the students suggested using more videos and songs during the classes and some even mentioned that parties with alcohol would be a good idea. A few of them gave reasons why they preferred these activities: §  Pop music and films are  interesting and topical §  Alcohol makes people relax and talk more. Outside  Class The majority of students mentioned that homework should be reduced drasticallywhereas others expressed a preference for doing excursions in English, giving the following reasons: §  Too much homework makes students stressed. §  Excursions are a fun way of putting into practice what is learnt. Recommendations Some of the ideas have benefits, however, suggestions to allow alcohol and reduce homework should beimmediately discarded. On the other hand, it is felt the majority of students would take advantage of more pop videos and excursions andso these suggestions are recommendable.

Other useful language for a report:

§  This report is intended to… §  Many of those interviewed stated that…. §  Others pointed out that…. §  Several people thought that.. §  Whilst, …

§  Another option that was mentioned was… §  Both/All the ideas seemed interesting but…. §  Taking all the points into consideration…. §  On balance then, I feel that…. §  Without a doubt the first option was…