Secret Window Trivia

After having done a whole unit dealing with films and novels, now we will be dealing with the film SECRET WINDOW. Originally a novel by Stephen King, "Secret Window" is a psychological thriller that will make you think a lot both during and after having watched it.

Can you try to answer the following questions about the film now that you have already watched it?

1. What is the name of the motel where Mort finds Amy and Ted?

a. Motel 6 b. Motel 8 c. The Hilton d. The Holiday Inn

2. What is featured on the front inside flap of the book jacket of "Everybody Drops the Dime"?

a. It has a picture of a screwdriver b. It has Stephen King's picture and biography
c. It has Mort's picture and biography d. It is blank

3. The name of the town that Mort visits periodically to buy groceries, get mail, and see the sheriff is called Tashmore Lake.

a. True b. False

4. In what order does Mort kill his victims?

a. Chico (the dog), Ken, Tom, Ted, and Amy b. Chico (the dog), Ken, Ted, Tom, Amy, and Shooter

c. Tom, Ken, Ted, and Amy d. Amy, Ted, Tom, Ken, and Shooter

5. Finish this quote, said by Mort: "I don't respond well to intimidation. It makes me feel ______."

a. sick b. pretty c. icky d. angry

6. Although Mort denies his bad habit, what brand of cigarettes does he smoke?

a. Virginia Slims b. Marlboro Light c. Camel d. Pall Mall

7. The note that Shooter leaves on Mort's door says "Two days. No police. I am not joking."

a. True b. False

8. What is the name of the main character in the manuscript by John Shooter?

a. Todd Downey b. Michael Hastings c. Tommy Haverlock d. Bubba Mustafa Armadillo

9. What is the name of the manuscript by John Shooter, which is almost identical to the story "Secret Window" by Mort Rainey?

a. Harvest Time b. Secret Window, Secret Garden c. Sowing Season d. The Lovely Bones

10. Mort's housekeeper, Mrs. Garvey, is wearing a necklace. What charm is on her necklace?

a. a smiley face b. the letter A c. a cross d. pearls

You will find the answers in the www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET website. Correct your answers and send your result to your teacher using the "comentarios" at the end of this blog entry. Hope you enjoy this task... Thanks!

P.S. And if you want to do another quiz about the film Secret Window, follow this link http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz18206014d91a8.html and answer the questions. At the end of the quiz, click for the answers and you will discover your score.

The Secret of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks. It is at the centre of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.

Archaeologists believe the iconic stone monument was constructed anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. But now there are new theories about it. Watch the documentary your teacher will show you and explain what you have understood in, approximately, one hundred words.

You will watch a documentary from National Geographic about the Stonehenge. Watch it carefully and write a summary of what you have watched in this blog, together with your opinion about the documentary.

Writing a story for PET

Your task this March is to write a good short story using just 100 words.

Your story must begin with this sentence:

"One day last week I was sitting in a café in the market square"

This composition will be part of your final mark for the WRITING SECTION so make an effor to check very carefully your task before you published it in this blog, please.

Good luck to all of you!

The best Halloween competition (2011)

Dear students,

I remind you that the stories you wrote in November to continue the first Chapter of "Owl Hall" are already available in the English4PET website: http://www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET/ (in the Competition Corner).

I also would like to congratulate all the people who have participated in this competition as they have created really nice Chapters 2 for this beautiful and mysterious story.

Well, now it's time to vote. Remember the rules:

1) You can only give 5 points to ONE story. The best story for you!

2) You can only give 4 points to ONE story. The second best story for you!

3) The other stories can be given 3, 2 or 1 points each.

4) Obviously, YOU CANNOT VOTE FOR YOUR OWN STORY!

5) You can't tell anyone what your story or nickname is!!!

Well, good luck to all of you!

A terrible holiday

Dear students,

This month you will have to write a short story (no more than 100 words) in which you have to explain the worst holiday you have ever had in your whole life. If you are a lucky person and something like this has never happened to you, use your imagination, please!

For help you can consult page 8 in your workbook (exercise 1 in the Writing Section is a fantastic piece of information).

Read the stories of your partners and vote for the best ones, too! Justify why they are the best ones, ok?

Take care and write soon.

Your English teacher

Welcome back to the new school year 2011-12!!!

Teacher teacharachera

Hello everybody!

A new school year has started and it's time to brush up your English, especially after the holidays.

This year you will find new resources available online both in this blog and in the old web "www.palimpalem.com/7/English4adultsA2". Remember to check both sources from time to time as Audrie will recommend if you listen to her by clicking on the icon at the bottom of the pink frame.

Have fun and learn a lot!!!

Fantasy & Horror stories

The activity for this month consists of reading the second story in the book "A Pair of Ghostly Hands". It's title is "Lost Hearts" and it was written by M. R. James.

After reading it, write a brief summary (about 60 words) and say whether you liked this short story and whether you would recommend it to a friend.

Who is (or was) E.M.James? Extra points for those who discover who is the person... Is this writer a man or a woman? What do the initials E and M stand for?

Well, hurry up and solve the mystery! And, of course, enjoy the reading...

"Food & Table Manners Around the World"

Hello everyone!

We start the new year - even though we're en February by now - with a new topic for you to write about. Well, if you happen to be Chinese, you have just started the year 2011... Be as it may, here is the new activity for you. It deals with the topic of food around the world and also with the really useful topic of "table manners". After all, we don't want to offend our hosts in the future or to act inappropriately in a business meeting, right?

So for those of you who want to discover Table Manners Around the World... what about doing this nice Online Quiz? http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf

And now comes the WRITING TASK!

This month we are going to create a "Food and Drink Guide for Visitors". So what about choosing an interesting recipe to talk about and, apart from that, telling foreigners about some of your traditions? Read other students' comments before writing so that you do not describe the same recipe or explain the same traditions, ok? Obviously, the first person to write has more options than the last!!! ;)

For help, you can have a look at page 94, exercise 1 and 8. Both will be useful for this task. As always, if you have any problems do not hesitate to contact me, ok?

Good luck and enjoy your meal!

Writing an email to apologise

Hello to all of you.

Your writing task for the holidays is here. You have to write an email using this blog.

This is what you have to do:

"Think of a situation where you did something bad to someone by mistake. Write an email to apologise and include an answer to the following questions: What did you do? Why did you do it? What did the other person do or say?".





Remember to include the different parts a good message should have, that is:

1) Greeting
2) Why I am sorry
3) What happened
4) What to do (or not to do) next
5) Final apology
6) Goodbye

Once you have finished writing your message, read the message of another partner and edit it if you think it is necessary. For example, are the sentences your partner has used too long? Do they give details to explain what happened or have they forgotten? When you edit a partner's email remember to put the following title at the top of your answer "Edit + Name of Partner".

Remember to be nice when you edit, ok? The idea is to learn from each other's mistakes and help the others to solve their problems...

Thanks and... good editing!!!!

The Meatrix

Here is the first November listening activity of this month. After having watched "The Meatrix" in class you are now ready to do the following activities. By the way, if you want to watch again the short clip, you just have to go to the English4PET website (Video corner).

YOUR QUIZ

A- What do I know about my health and the way I eat?


1. Student’s fitness and healthy habits questionnaire.

Answer the questionnaire below. Calculate your score and compare your answers with a partner (when you are in class, of course).

1. How often do you eat fruit?

a. Once or twice a day

b. Once every three days

c. Once a week

d. Never

2. How much sport do you do every week?

a. More than 5 hours

b. One or two hours a week

c. Less than one hour

3. How often do you have vegetables a week?

a. Once a day

b. Two or three times a week

c. Once a week

d. I never have vegetables

4. How often do you spend more than 30 minutes practising an activity that makes you sweaty?

a. Three or more times a week

b. Once or twice a week

c. Never

5. How long does it take you to walk a kilometre?

a. Les than 10 minutes

b. 10 – 20 minutes

c. I can’t walk that far

6. How many of the following activities do you do at least twice a week?

a. Play a ball game: football, basketball …etc

b. Go for a run

c. Do some aerobics

d. Go to the gym

7. Are cereals part of your diet?


a. Yes, always

b. Yes, sometimes

c. No never

8. How many km. do you think you walk everyday?

a. More than three

b. Not more than two

c. Not more than one

9. Say if these statements are true or false.

a. I drink soft drinks at least once a day

b. I only drink soft drinks once a week

c. I normally drink water at a meal

SCORING SCORE MEANING


1. a. 5 b. 3 c. 1 d. 0

2. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

3. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

4. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

5. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

6. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

7. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0

8. a. 5 b. 3 c. 0



20 or less: Your health and your life are in danger ! You must do more exercise and change your eating habits NOW.



20 – 24: Not bad, but could be better.



25 – 34: You are healthier than the average person and you probably find your life more enjoyable as a result.



35 or more: You are super-fit and you have very healthy eating habits? (Or are you a liar!)


B - After having watched the film, do you think these statements are true or false?


1. Animal products come from independent family farms

2. Factory Farms pollute as much as any other factory

3. Factory Farms are where most eggs, milk and meat come from.

4. Family Farming is not sustainable on its own.

5. Animals in Factory Farms never see the sunlight or get fresh air.

6. Animals in Factory Farms are healthy and have better quality meat.

7. Factory farms mutilate their animals to avoid fights among them.

8. There is an overuse of antibiotics in Family Farms

9. The main interest of Factory Farms is to maximize profits.

Remember that you have to send me your answers replying to all these questions in this blog, ok? In order to do so you will need to have a "gmail" account. Good luck and I am really looking forward to reading your answers. Have a nice weekend!!!! :)
 

WELCOME BACK to your PET lessons!!!

After the holidays you might be a bit rusty and it's time to start brushing up. So why not starting with "listening skills"?

This month your first "listening activity" includes not only listening but also the opportunity of reading a very interesting interview while revising vocabulary dealing with "environmental issues" in a fairly innovative way.

Remember that you will find the link to the listening "Tom Kay: ethical surf clothing company owner" at http://www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET/index.html

If you have already done so, you are ready to answer the following questions:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

The Day After Tomorrow

Time to say goodbye is coming. We are already in the last days of June and the course is going to finish very soon.

Well, this is the last film task you have to do this year. The film I have chosen to close the school year is "The Day After Tomorrow", a 2004 American science-fiction film that shows us the catastrophic effects of global warming.

If one thinks about it, it makes you feel really scared. Anyway, once you have watched the whole film I encourage you to do the "movie quiz" which is available in the following link:

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz18901715a4ec0.html

Once you have answered all the questions and get the results of the quiz, please use the "comentarios" section in this blog and tell me what your score has been and which type of mistakes you have made, ok? Apart from this, I want you to write your opinion of this film. Use the following questions for help:

* Did you like the film? Why or Why not?
* Would you recommend it to your best friend? Why or Why not?
* Do you think that some day - in the distance future - something similar to what happens in the film could happen to us? Explain why or why not and say what you would do now to avoid the radical weather changes that happened in the film.

Finally, your SUMMER HOMEWORK...

You have to read the article available in the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_After_Tomorrow

and write a summary of it in about 120 words more or less.

You can write the summary in a word document and send it to my email address or you can write the summary in the blog using the title "SUMMARY" and writing your name next to it, ok?

Well, and that's all for this year. Hope you have had fun. I certainly have enjoyed a lot with your class. What else can I say? It's been really nice to have you there every Monday and Wednesday and I really do hope that one day we can meet again in the same class.

Enjoy your summer holidays a lot!!! And see you in October...

STARS... Are they normal people?

After having watched Madonna's clip, what is your opinion of superstars? Do you think they are normal people? Or do they believe they are special? Do you admire someone famous in particular? If so, why do you admire that person? Have you heard of any scandal in which a famous star was involved?

Write you comments here and comment on the comments of other students if you want.

Poem Competition WINNERS!!!

Well, it's taken me more weeks than I expected to write the results of the Poem Competition but here they are.

So these are the results of the PET 1A jury:

* The third most voted poem has been... "The Fears"

* The second most voted poem has been... "Love Story"

* The first most voted poem has been... "Broken Love"

Congratulations to the winners!

And, needless to say, congratulations to everybody who has participated in this competition. All your poems were fantastic!!! Writing a poem is not an easy task - not even in your mother tongue... imagine in English!! - so I feel really proud of all your poems and the messages you tried to transmit.

Secret Window

This month the film we will be dealing with is SECRET WINDOW. Originally a novel by Stephen King, "Secret Window" is a psychological thriller that will make you think a lot both during and after having watched it.

Can you try to answer the following questions about the film now that you have already watched it?

1. What is the name of the motel where Mort finds Amy and Ted?

a. Motel 6   b. Motel 8   c. The Hilton   d. The Holiday Inn

2. What is featured on the front inside flap of the book jacket of "Everybody Drops the Dime"?

a. It has a picture of a screwdriver           b. It has Stephen King's picture and biography  
c. It has Mort's picture and biography      d. It is blank

3. The name of the town that Mort visits periodically to buy groceries, get mail, and see the sheriff is called Tashmore Lake.

a. True          b. False

4. In what order does Mort kill his victims?

a. Chico (the dog), Ken, Tom, Ted, and Amy   b. Chico (the dog), Ken, Ted, Tom, Amy, and Shooter

c. Tom, Ken, Ted, and Amy                             d. Amy, Ted, Tom, Ken, and Shooter

5. Finish this quote, said by Mort: "I don't respond well to intimidation. It makes me feel ______."

a. sick   b. pretty   c. icky   d. angry

6. Although Mort denies his bad habit, what brand of cigarettes does he smoke?

a. Virginia Slims   b. Marlboro Light   c. Camel   d. Pall Mall

7. The note that Shooter leaves on Mort's door says "Two days. No police. I am not joking."

a. True                 b. False

8. What is the name of the main character in the manuscript by John Shooter?

a. Todd Downey   b. Michael Hastings   c. Tommy Haverlock   d. Bubba Mustafa Armadillo

9. What is the name of the manuscript by John Shooter, which is almost identical to the story "Secret Window" by Mort Rainey?

a. Harvest Time   b. Secret Window, Secret Garden   c. Sowing Season   d. The Lovely Bones

10. Mort's housekeeper, Mrs. Garvey, is wearing a necklace. What charm is on her necklace?

a. a smiley face   b. the letter A   c. a cross   d. pearls

You will find the answers in the www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET website. Correct your answers and send your result to your teacher using the "comentarios" at the end of this blog entry. Hope you enjoy this task... Thanks!

P.S. And if you want to do another quiz about the film Secret Window, follow this link http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz18206014d91a8.html  and answer the questions. At the end of the quiz, click for the answers and you will discover your score.

February Poem Competition

Sure you all have a favourite poem. The poem above these lines is one of my favourites. I find its message a very positive one and it makes me happy. There are as many definitions of poetry as there are poets. But what is POETRY?

Wordsworth defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings."

Emily Dickinson said, "If I read a book and it makes my body so cold no fire ever can warm me, I know that is poetry."

And Dylan Thomas defined poetry this way: "Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing."


Poetry is a lot of things to a lot of people.

Well, now it's your opportunity to react to poetry and say something about it. To vote the best poems at www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET you can write the TITLE of the 3 poems that you have liked best and give them a score (3 points for the best poem, 2 points for the second best, and 1 poem for the third best). Write down why you give that score to each poem, why you liked it, what it transmits to you, etc.

Read you soon!

How the Grinch stole Christmas!

Welcome back! Now the Christmas holidays are over I invite you to write your opinion about the short "How the Grinch stole Christmas".

Some of the questions you can use to help you do your writing activity are the following:

1) Who is the Grinch?
2) Does he like Christmas? If yes, why? If not, why not?
3) What happened to him as a little boy?
4) Do the people in his town like him? Why/Why not?
5) The sound of the Grinch were recorded by a man called Boris Karloff. Do you know who he is? If you do, explain. If you don't know, investigate and explain.
6) Did you like this short? Why/Why not?
7) When was the last time you watched an animated film (that is, "cartoons")? Did you use to like watching cartoons when you were a child? If so, which ones? Did you hava a favourite one?
8) Do you think cartoons are for children only? Or are there cartoons who both children and adults can enjoy at the same time? Can you provide some examples?

VIDEO OPINION: "Europe & Italy"

If you have watched the video "Europe & Italy", go to this link http://www.palimpalem.com/4/English4PET/  (Opinion Corner) and write your answers to the questions there in this "Pre-Intermediate English Blog".

Remember to write your name and group level next to it so that I can answer back. Thanks!

Pre-Intermediate English Calendar

http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=en.spain%23holiday%40group.v.calendar.google.com

Welcome to this Pre-Intermediate English Course

Who is this blog for?
This blog is intended for those of you who have finished the elementary level, i.e. you have been in contact with the English language for about 120-150 hours and, accordingly, you already have an idea of the basic rules and vocabulary needed to maintain a very basic conversation with other speakers of the language (both native and non-native).

What can you find in this blog?
In this blog you will find some guidelines to help you with your English and extra materials to practise the new items you have seen in class. Moreover, you will be able to choose "revision exercises" of the previous level that you consider of particular value for you, either because you consider you need to revise them to clarify doubts or because you think you still don't control them well enough to go to the next level. After all, it seems quite obvious to say that "sometimes to go one step further it is necessary to go two steps back". So don't be put off and use all your energy to learn more and revise even more!

In order to make things a bit easier for you, the blog will be divided into different sections, each one dealing with an important aspect of the level you are about to start. We will call these sections CORNERS. The CORNERS included are:

1. The reading Corner: You will find different sections inside this corner. For example: "The short story of the month", "The poem of the week", "The joke of the day", "The recipe of the fortnight", "the comic strip of the term", etc. Each section will contain a short text for you to read and some reading comprehension exercises with an answer key so that you can check your answers once you have finished your task.



2. The Writing Corner: The main section in this corner will be the HOW TO WRITE A/AN... section. Every month you will find a different example of a type of writing - including the steps to follow in order to write a similar text, the language and expressions needed, etc - and an exercise to write something similar. Some of the taks that will appear throughout the school year will be: HOW TO WRITE... a short story, a poem, a fairy tale, an informal letter, a biography, a magazine article, a report, an email, a text message, a note/notice, a leaflet, a postcard, a description of a place or a person, a film/book review, a formal letter (enquiry, application, apology, complaint, opinion, etc.), HOW TO FILL in a form and other sorts of legal documents in English.

3. The Listening Corner: The main section in this corner will be the LET'S LISTEN TO... section. The purpose of this section is to encourage students to listen to a wide range of listening materials which are easily available to them in real life. For instance: songs, short stories, audiobooks, news bulletins, films, etc. Each suggested listening task will be accompanied by the tapescripts and some exercises to check listening comprehension (multiple choice, fill in the gaps, etc.) plus the answer key.

4. The Speaking Corner: Some of the sections inside this corner will include: "the Word of the Day, the Proverb of the week, the Expression of the fortnight, etc. You will also find some examples of possible speaking tasks in mp3 which you could either download or ask me to send them to you via email. Possible speaking tasks to be included: dialogues, role-plays, debates, interviews, discussions, telling stories, reading a poem aloud, TALKING ABOUT... books, films, TV programmes and soap operas, group work, pair work, monologues, class work...

5. Everyday English: In here you will find real tasks based on real situations. Throughout the school year you will find a list of possible tasks which might include: making conversation, giving directions, telephoning, social expressions, at the doctor's, etc.

6. Progress Tests and Revisions: They will include exercises to verify whether (or not) you have assimilated the things we have done in class and there will be an answer key for you to correct.

7. Reader of the Week/Month: This section will give you a nice list of possible readings for you to choose among many different genres. Moreover, you could read the first chapter to check whether it seems interesting for you or not.