The national test date is almost here (Wednesday), and you'll start off with writing. You are very well prepared for this part, but I want to direct your attention towards linking words - that is words that you use to link statements and phrases into sentences. One example is: "I wanted to chatch him" and "he fell". Add a "but" as a linking word to make a sentence. But it can also be words that you use to link sentences to each other. For instance "My first argument is that...". My second argument is that..." Look at the examples below that illustrates how linking words work. Best of luck on the test on the 28 of April 8:05-9:45 in "aulan". See you there,
Carolina
måndag 26 april 2010
When writing essays - focus on linking words
Giving examples
For example
For instance
The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
"We discussed training, education and the budget."
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing."
You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
"We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition."
We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this…
As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
"As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition."
"We are interested in costs as well as the competition."
Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
"They were concerned too."
"I, too, was concerned."
Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
"Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
"Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition."
Summarising
In short
In brief
In summary
To summarise
To conclude
In conclusion
We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas
The former, … the latter
Firstly, secondly, finally
The first point is
Lastly
The following
The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points.
"Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the final term."
Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
It's rare to use "fourthly", or "fifthly". Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on.
The following is a good way of starting a list.
"The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen."
Giving a reason
Due to / due to the fact that
Owing to / owing to the fact that
Because
Because of
Since
As
Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.
"Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%."
"Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks."
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.
"Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25."
"Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders."
Because / because of
Because of is followed by a noun.
"Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed."
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Because it was raining, the match was postponed."
"We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive."
Since / as
Since and as mean because.
"Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
"As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
Giving a result
Therefore
So
Consequently
This means that
As a result
Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
"The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff."
So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
"He works hard, but he doesn't earn much."
"He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much."
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
"Although it was cold, she went out in shorts."
"In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts."
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
"Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees."
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
"The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was cold.)
"The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
"While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown."
"Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down."
"Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol."
In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.
"In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don't have enough time."
For example
For instance
The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
"We discussed training, education and the budget."
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing."
You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
"We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition."
We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In addition, or In addition to this…
As well as can be used at the beginning or the middle of a sentence.
"As well as the costs, we are concerned by the competition."
"We are interested in costs as well as the competition."
Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
"They were concerned too."
"I, too, was concerned."
Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
"Apart from Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
"Besides Rover, we are the largest sports car manufacturer."
Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
"Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition."
Summarising
In short
In brief
In summary
To summarise
To conclude
In conclusion
We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas
The former, … the latter
Firstly, secondly, finally
The first point is
Lastly
The following
The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points.
"Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the final term."
Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
It's rare to use "fourthly", or "fifthly". Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on.
The following is a good way of starting a list.
"The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen."
Giving a reason
Due to / due to the fact that
Owing to / owing to the fact that
Because
Because of
Since
As
Due to and owing to must be followed by a noun.
"Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%."
"Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks."
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.
"Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25."
"Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders."
Because / because of
Because of is followed by a noun.
"Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed."
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Because it was raining, the match was postponed."
"We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive."
Since / as
Since and as mean because.
"Since the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
"As the company is expanding, we need to hire more staff."
Giving a result
Therefore
So
Consequently
This means that
As a result
Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
"The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff."
So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
"He works hard, but he doesn't earn much."
"He works hard. However, he doesn't earn much."
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
"Although it was cold, she went out in shorts."
"In spite of the cold, she went out in shorts."
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
"Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees."
Nevertheless and nonetheless mean in spite of that or anyway.
"The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was cold.)
"The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
"While my sister has blue eyes, mine are brown."
"Taxes have gone up, whereas social security contributions have gone down."
"Unlike in the UK, the USA has cheap petrol."
In theory… in practice… show an unexpected result.
"In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don't have enough time."
onsdag 14 april 2010
Skrivtips för att förbättra sitt språk
Den tråkiga rubriken till trots är detta viktig information, för hur gör man egentligen för att få ett högt betyg på sitt språk och sin hantering av det i sina uppsatser? Svaret är enkelt: ta till dig dessa tips!
Undvik småord! Granska din text och stryk småord som inte behövs och ersätt också småord med längre ord när så är möjligt. Var speciellt varse om småordskonstruktioner där många småord förekommer.
Använd dig av exakta uttryck. Skriv inte ospecifika ord som grej, sak, och detta, denna, dessa eller de(t) här utan efterföljande led.
Skriv i presens.
Använd personers efternamn när du inte känner dem personligen.
Undvik upprepningar av ord i samma stycke.
Se över dina meningsinledare så att du varierar dem, och i största möjliga mån inte inleder med sammanfogande ord (till exempel men, så, att, och och)
Skriv ut alla förkortningar. Du har tillräckligt med plats för det i din uppsats. Placera dem inte heller sist i en mening.
Skilj mellan de och dem. De är i subjektsform och dem är ett objekt. Är du ändå osäker så kom ihåg att de är betydligt mycket vanligare än dem.
När du skriver så skriver du! Undvik alla former av talspråk och citat som personer kan tänkas säga (det kallas för pseudocitat).
Undvik småord! Granska din text och stryk småord som inte behövs och ersätt också småord med längre ord när så är möjligt. Var speciellt varse om småordskonstruktioner där många småord förekommer.
Använd dig av exakta uttryck. Skriv inte ospecifika ord som grej, sak, och detta, denna, dessa eller de(t) här utan efterföljande led.
Skriv i presens.
Använd personers efternamn när du inte känner dem personligen.
Undvik upprepningar av ord i samma stycke.
Se över dina meningsinledare så att du varierar dem, och i största möjliga mån inte inleder med sammanfogande ord (till exempel men, så, att, och och)
Skriv ut alla förkortningar. Du har tillräckligt med plats för det i din uppsats. Placera dem inte heller sist i en mening.
Skilj mellan de och dem. De är i subjektsform och dem är ett objekt. Är du ändå osäker så kom ihåg att de är betydligt mycket vanligare än dem.
När du skriver så skriver du! Undvik alla former av talspråk och citat som personer kan tänkas säga (det kallas för pseudocitat).
onsdag 7 april 2010
IRREGULAR VERBS
Perhaps it doesn't sound interesting, but to achieve a good result on the national test you need to know your irregular verbs in English. Practice on the following, and if you want extra material, I will provide it for you.
Total score: 28 points
Pass: 16 points
Translate the following sentences into English (10):
1. Jag valde fel väg när jag körde till höger och det känns jobbigt.
2. Hade jag vetat att pappret låg på marken skulle jag ha sjungit.
Write the three correct forms of the verbs in English (18)!
1. tala
2. simma
3. skriva
4. rida
5. gömma sig
6. frysa
Total score: 28 points
Pass: 16 points
Translate the following sentences into English (10):
1. Jag valde fel väg när jag körde till höger och det känns jobbigt.
2. Hade jag vetat att pappret låg på marken skulle jag ha sjungit.
Write the three correct forms of the verbs in English (18)!
1. tala
2. simma
3. skriva
4. rida
5. gömma sig
6. frysa
IDIOMS
Expressions don't always translate well word for word, and a funny example it the Swedish phrase: "If there´s room in your heart, there´s room for your ass" that seems vulgar, rude and is impossible to understand for an English speaking person. Look at the English expressions, and make a list in a Word document where you write the missing (only one!) word.
1. He said it was hard, but it was really a ………………..of cake.
2. Tell me what she said, I am all …………………
3. Stop it, I am ………………..up with you!
4. Please tell me what happened, don’t ………………..around the bush.
5. She is really behind with her project. She has bitten off more than she can ………………..
6. I hope you do well on the job interview. Break a ………………..!
7. I can’t do this by ………………..
8. He has to start earlier next time. This time he only finished by the skin of his ………………..
9. The discussion lasted many hours. The bottom ………………..
was that the company isn't for sale.
10. Joe broke his mother's ………………..when he dropped out of school
11. It's late and you've accomplished a lot. Why don't you call it a ………………..?
12. This brochure about Tahiti caught my ………………..when I was at the travel agency
13. A: Your new car is really nice.
B: "It should be. It cost (me) an arm and a . ……………….
14. Joe should have finished his project a week ago. Why is he dragging .his ……………?
15. In your essays, please write on every ……………line. That will make the
essays much easier to read.
16. That story's pretty. …………… Nobody's going to believe it
17. Traffic was really slow on the freeway this morning because of a . …………… in one of the westbound lanes.
18. Where's Marie? I haven't seen her for . ……………
19. I really get a . ……………out of listening to children talk. They say some very funny things.
20. I know you like that song, but it's getting on my…………... Can you play something else?"
1. He said it was hard, but it was really a ………………..of cake.
2. Tell me what she said, I am all …………………
3. Stop it, I am ………………..up with you!
4. Please tell me what happened, don’t ………………..around the bush.
5. She is really behind with her project. She has bitten off more than she can ………………..
6. I hope you do well on the job interview. Break a ………………..!
7. I can’t do this by ………………..
8. He has to start earlier next time. This time he only finished by the skin of his ………………..
9. The discussion lasted many hours. The bottom ………………..
was that the company isn't for sale.
10. Joe broke his mother's ………………..when he dropped out of school
11. It's late and you've accomplished a lot. Why don't you call it a ………………..?
12. This brochure about Tahiti caught my ………………..when I was at the travel agency
13. A: Your new car is really nice.
B: "It should be. It cost (me) an arm and a . ……………….
14. Joe should have finished his project a week ago. Why is he dragging .his ……………?
15. In your essays, please write on every ……………line. That will make the
essays much easier to read.
16. That story's pretty. …………… Nobody's going to believe it
17. Traffic was really slow on the freeway this morning because of a . …………… in one of the westbound lanes.
18. Where's Marie? I haven't seen her for . ……………
19. I really get a . ……………out of listening to children talk. They say some very funny things.
20. I know you like that song, but it's getting on my…………... Can you play something else?"
tisdag 6 april 2010
Muntlig redovisning i svenska
När du har läst din valfria roman ska du prata om den inför klassen. Din uppgift är att hitta ett tema i boken (som exempelvis kärlek, hat, vänskap eller död) och illustrera det med hjälp av musik. Du kan välja all sort musik, men poängen är att texten och musiken ska ha samma tema. Däremot kan de skilja sig åt beträffande sitt budskap (så som ”Jump” skiljer sig från Holdens ängslan i Räddaren i nöden – han vill förhindra att någon faller, och Van Halen tycker att man borde ta steget och hoppa).
Presentera både romanen och låten (det vill säga vad de heter, och vem som har skrivit dem). Läs upp ett stycke ur romanen där temat tydliggörs, och spela ett utdrag från låten/stycket du har valt. Texten till den del av låten du har valt ska finnas tillgänglig för klassen (på overhead eller i PowerPoint) Jämför texterna med varandra och här visar du prov på din analysförmåga, så arbeta mycket med jämförelseledet. Redovisningen ska vara mellan 3 och 5 minuter.
Redovisningarna äger rum den 19 (Flickan från ovan och Hej Dolly) 11:00 till 12:40 (observera tiderna!) och den 20 april 14:05 – 14:55 (Möss och människor) enligt ett schema som du får senare.
Presentera både romanen och låten (det vill säga vad de heter, och vem som har skrivit dem). Läs upp ett stycke ur romanen där temat tydliggörs, och spela ett utdrag från låten/stycket du har valt. Texten till den del av låten du har valt ska finnas tillgänglig för klassen (på overhead eller i PowerPoint) Jämför texterna med varandra och här visar du prov på din analysförmåga, så arbeta mycket med jämförelseledet. Redovisningen ska vara mellan 3 och 5 minuter.
Redovisningarna äger rum den 19 (Flickan från ovan och Hej Dolly) 11:00 till 12:40 (observera tiderna!) och den 20 april 14:05 – 14:55 (Möss och människor) enligt ett schema som du får senare.
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