tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43408056739625895452012-02-17T00:28:06.179+01:00Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.comBlogger6441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-1642269137026510612012-02-10T10:01:00.004+01:002012-02-14T22:16:05.558+01:00

Spain Judge Baltasar Garzon vows to fight conviction Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon has vowed to fight his conviction for authorising illegal phonetapping despite the court barring him from appealing. In a statement, he said his rights had been "systematically violated" with the ruling, which saw him suspended from the judiciary for 11 years. Hundreds of people protested in Madrid in support of

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-33955771166591168782012-02-07T19:43:00.007+01:002012-02-07T23:12:07.236+01:00

Today the 200th anniversary of Charles Dicken's birth is being celebrated. What do you know about him and his works? Read this summary of his life and watch the video that follows: Video Vocabulary: siblings - adulthood - an ambitious drive - widespread (adj) - to set sail - to be mobbed by crowds - upon his return - a refuge - spellbound (adj) - fateful (adj) - the injured - to

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-40948574533826927142012-02-07T14:28:00.001+01:002012-02-07T15:55:55.717+01:00

Archbishop of Granada attacks youngsters who want to be civil servants He criticised those who expected their problems to be solved for them by others The Archbishop of Granada, Javier Martínez, has attacked youngsters who want to become civil servants, considering the Spanish mentality of a ‘subsidised society’ as a ‘social illness’, especially in a time of crisis such as now. Source:

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-11415760021516290722012-02-06T21:57:00.003+01:002012-02-07T15:42:08.702+01:00

The moment a princess became a queen It is exactly 60 years since Princess Elizabeth, on a trip to Kenya, became Queen. What were the events that followed, and how prepared was the 25-year-old? It was February 1952 and Princess Elizabeth was enjoying a short break in Kenya with Prince Philip, her husband of five years. It was a brief respite from their royal duties. They were standing in for

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-1702433802992011562012-02-03T21:50:00.010+01:002012-02-07T14:59:36.795+01:00

Here is a handy list for when it's cold outside - I hope I haven't left anything out! :-) an avalanche - a large amount of snow that falls down the side of a mountain below freezing - under zero ºC bitterly cold - extremely and unpleasantly cold biting (adj) - extremely cold weather that can cause pain a blizzard - a severe snow storm with strong winds a chill (n) - a feeling of cold chilly (

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-88925746235773024402012-02-03T07:33:00.007+01:002012-02-03T09:55:47.302+01:00

Which of the following sentences is/are correct? I phoned my wife for to tell her the news. x I phoned my wife to tell her the news.  ✔ The minister resigned for spend more time with his family. x The minister resigned to spend more time with his family. ✔ We're going to the theatre on Friday to see a musical. ✔ I get up earlier on Thursdays for going to English class. x I get up

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-33608967814758240932012-02-02T09:54:00.007+01:002012-02-07T15:46:14.203+01:00

Mona Lisa copy reveals new detail A painting thought to be the earliest replica of Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa has been discovered at Madrid's Prado Museum. The Prado said it did not realise its significance until a recent restoration revealed hidden layers. The artwork features the same female figure, but had been covered over with black paint and varnish. The painting is thought to have

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-55133567999589274692012-01-30T21:58:00.004+01:002012-01-31T11:05:47.092+01:00

Body image concerns more men than women, research finds Anxiety about body image has led to some men conceding they would exchange a year of their life for the perfect physique More men worry about their body shape and appearance – beer bellies, "man boobs" or going bald – than women do about how they look, according to research. More than four in five men (80.7%) talk in ways that promote

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-48410599109846809242012-01-30T00:41:00.012+01:002012-01-31T18:31:46.973+01:00

Women are better at parking than men, study suggests It is a cliché almost as old as the motor car itself, and the subject of many a sexist joke. But the idea that women cannot park is simply untrue, according to research indicating that female drivers are more adept than men at manoeuvring into a space. Covert surveillance of car parks across Britain has shown that while women may take longer

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-18382689242027677552012-01-24T11:57:00.001+01:002012-01-24T23:53:50.104+01:00

Spain's Franco-era probe judge Baltasar Garzon on trial A high-profile Spanish judge has gone on trial accused of violating a 1977 amnesty law by investigating civil war and Franco-era crimes. The prosecution of Baltasar Garzon, who famously indicted late Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet, has been brought by two right-wing groups. They say he overstepped his powers by investigating the

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-71243098401072463842012-01-23T20:55:00.003+01:002012-01-24T16:08:46.539+01:00

Why not join me, if you haven't already, on Facebook and/or Twitter? There you will find things that I don't post here on the blog. Some of you may worry about the privacy issue. Remember that Facebook gives you the option of who is able to see your wall - the general public, friends of friends or only the people on your friend list. You can hide all your details, even from specific people.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-17755818304433494192012-01-22T13:25:00.002+01:002012-01-24T22:56:42.704+01:00

Spain could wield veto over Scotland's EU membership Independence for Scots could embolden separatists in Catalonia and Basque region, Madrid fears Spain is standing in the way of Scotland's ambitions to become an independent nation within the European Union because of fears that it could spark the break-up of the Spanish state. Spanish officials have registered concerns with counterparts in

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-44708447287175082492012-01-19T21:51:00.011+01:002012-01-31T13:26:45.983+01:00

Costa Concordia: Italians buy t-shirts with 'Get back on board, for ----’s sake!' logo Italians show anger at the Costa Concordia cruise ship captain, Francesco Schettino, with t-shirts screaming "Get back on board, for ----’s sake!" and the creation of Facebook pages and Twitter hashtags. It has come to symbolise the entire disaster – the furious command barked down a phone line by a Coast

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-32910963490138915402012-01-13T12:30:00.003+01:002012-01-23T23:48:04.970+01:00

MessengerVodpodYahoo BookmarksBeboMister-WongWordPressGoogle ReaderOrkutXINGEvernoteNetvibes ShareStrandsPosterousBusiness ExchangeArtoTipdSmakNewsPlurkAIMYahoo MessengerIdenti.caMozillacaBlogger PostTypePad PostBox.netNetlogTechnorati

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-10448555231182362282012-01-08T15:07:00.001+01:002012-01-08T15:12:43.118+01:00

What news stories will you remember 2011 for and why? Here are some posts from the past year to jog your memory: Introduction of smoking ban  The Arab Spring: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya. Japanese tsunami The angry ones The royal wedding Bin Laden killed ETA "armed campaign is over" Problems for Spanish monarchy Use the archives to remind yourselves of other stories. Go through 2011 month by month.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-37768757646122696052011-12-17T15:31:00.001+01:002011-12-17T16:33:40.224+01:00

Video: videojug.com In the above video you have some dos and donts for the office Christmas party. Check out www.videojug.com to listen to advice for all sorts of things. Have you had your Christmas party yet? Is it something you look forward to or something you dread? What advice would you give on how to behave at the party?

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-9348919183120654212011-12-15T10:48:00.002+01:002012-01-31T13:16:10.248+01:00

KLM To Offer Mile-High Dating Via Facebook KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has taken blind-dating to new heights by launching an initiative that will allow customers to pick their seat-mates on Facebook. The pilot programme is being praised for those people who are sick of being stuck next to crying babies or the passenger from hell - or for those simply looking for mile-high love. The airline

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-52727599540382667852011-12-14T22:31:00.001+01:002011-12-14T22:33:47.298+01:00

Complete the following sentences with a suitable word.  I think bullfighting should be b_____. It’s cruel and barbaric. I am really stressed out. I need a holiday to u_____. The Rubik’s Cube was a c____ in the early 80s. I can give you a l___ to work until you get your car back from the mechanic’s. You don’t need to leave a t__ if you are unhappy with the service. A lot of men worry about going

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-58604455396231924562011-12-10T18:08:00.004+01:002012-01-31T13:18:06.609+01:00

Italian cat inherits €10m fortune Tommaso, a four-year-old, one-time stray from Rome, is thought to have become the world's richest cat. Since the death of his 94-year-old mistress last month, he has become a property magnate — or perhaps mognate — with flats and houses worth an estimated €10m scattered from Milan in the north to Calabria in the south. In a handwritten will, signed on 26

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-89019965653397586232011-12-08T21:05:00.003+01:002012-01-31T13:29:09.762+01:00

Spanish royal family hit by fraud scandal The once squeaky-clean Spanish royal family has become immersed in a growing fraud scandal that reveals how members of King Juan Carlos's family may have cashed in on the monarchy's good name. At the centre of the scandal is the king's son-in-law Iñaki Urdangarin, a former Olympic-medal-winning handball player who became the Duke of Palma after marrying

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-39573173038474155042011-12-05T12:15:00.003+01:002012-01-31T13:30:29.368+01:00

Liking a lie-in in people's genes, researchers say People who like a lie-in may now have an excuse - it is at least partly down to their genes, according to experts. Experts, who studied more than 10,000 people across Europe, found those with the gene ABCC9 need around 30 minutes more sleep per night than those without the gene. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: sleep patterns - to work shifts

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-44715137228575929542011-12-04T21:22:00.002+01:002011-12-05T16:22:25.240+01:00

Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct them if needed. Could you borrow me the car for the weekend? I'll drive carefully. Would you mind to close the window? It's a bit cold in here. I'm going to relax at home this weekend. I've had a tiring week. A: Do you mind if I sit here? B: No, not at all. Do you feel like going to the theatre on Saturday evening? A: Damn! I've broken my watch.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-18152752368232046122011-10-25T18:57:00.000+02:002011-10-25T18:57:31.378+02:00

Listen to the ten questions. Then listen again, pause between each one and write them down. Repeat as often as necessary. Finally answer the 10 questions.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-15097798657833946812011-10-25T14:03:00.001+02:002011-10-25T17:56:41.955+02:00

Correct the sentences if they are wrong. I am going on holiday on September this year. I'm sorry. I didn't understand. Can you say me again please? We were thinking of going to Thailand but at the end we decided to go to the USA. He wants that I start work at 9 tomorrow. A: How is Scotland like? B: It's an amazing country with some beautiful scenery. I had a great time but I didn't like the hot.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-40680255568425197712011-10-21T00:47:00.005+02:002012-01-31T17:03:46.995+01:00

Basque group Eta says armed campaign is over The Basque separatist group Eta says it has called a "definitive cessation" to its campaign of bombings and shootings. In a statement provided to the BBC, Eta called on the Spanish and French governments to respond with "a process of direct dialogue". The declaration, if followed through, would bring an end to Eta's campaign of violence, which has

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-77186486501621335232011-10-18T13:32:00.002+02:002012-01-31T13:40:44.499+01:00

Scottish football 'more than 500 years old' "Organised" football was being played in castle courtyards in Scotland more than 500 years ago, experts have found. Documents show a set of accounts from the court of King James IV indicating he paid two shillings for a bag of "fut ballis" in April 1497. The world's oldest surviving football dates back to 1540 and was found behind panelling in

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-49439162576729818872011-10-18T13:19:00.009+02:002011-10-18T21:21:44.428+02:00

Which is the most difficult for you? A: Pronunciation (20%) B: Writing (20%) C: Grammar (0%) D: Listening (60%) I think it would be a good idea to keep a note of  all the words that are difficult to pronounce, just as you do with new vocabulary. Try to read aloud. This might seem silly but it can help with your pronunciation. Very few people like writing in English, but it can help you

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-5114768627476459092011-10-07T22:14:00.002+02:002011-10-16T19:09:08.413+02:00

Spanish Businessmen call for an end to the 'Puente' long weekend The CEOE employers organisations wants midweek fiestas to be moved to Monday or Friday Spanish businessmen from the employers’ organisation CEOE have come up with an idea to improve the country’s productivity. They want to eliminate any fiestas or bank holidays which fall during the week so that the famous custom of forming ‘

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-10219947132119574812011-10-06T13:21:00.006+02:002012-01-31T14:57:05.218+01:00

Spain's Duchess of Alba remarries at 85 in Seville The Duchess of Alba, one of Spain's richest and most flamboyant women, has got married again at the age of 85 to a civil servant 24 years her junior. The aristocrat married Alfonso Diez Carabantes at a palace in Seville, emerging to throw her wedding bouquet into the crowd and dance flamenco. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: superar: según: la

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-41483846561547267672011-09-30T22:25:00.004+02:002012-01-31T17:08:39.869+01:00

Carjacked couple spot criminals on holiday 1,200 miles away A Belgian couple on holiday in Spain spotted the armed criminals who had carjacked them at gunpoint a month previously in Liege, 1,200 miles away. The unnamed pair saw Luc Jadoul, 47, and his girlfriend Gaëlle Deloge, 20, on a beach in Alicante. Mr Jadoul and Miss Deloge had threatened the couple with a gun and hijacked their Nissan

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-56795645192456469302011-09-23T14:59:00.003+02:002011-09-23T16:00:42.709+02:00

All people go on holiday in August. WRONG Everyone/everybody goes on holiday in August. RIGHT I'm not IN THE MOOD FOR explainING this one now. It's not that I don't know :D , it's just that it'd take too long. everyone/everybody = singular (present: verb + "s") person (sing) , people (plural) so: People are, people go ... I watch too much films. WRONG I watch too many films. RIGHT (

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-86310858681729853812011-09-05T20:11:00.000+02:002011-09-05T20:11:03.938+02:00

London Riots Spreading: Cameron Calls Emergency Session Prime Minister David Cameron has called an emergency session of Parliament after violent riots continued into their third night. Since Saturday, police have arrested more than 500 people and one person has died. It is the worst rioting in Britain since the 1980s. Source: newsy.com Facebook Users Land in Jail for UK Riots “Two Facebook

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-65182827061087280562011-09-04T19:23:00.000+02:002011-09-04T19:23:50.957+02:00

Zapatero calls early Spain election amid economic woes Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has called a general election for November, four months earlier than expected. He said this would enable a new government to confront Spain's economic problems from January. Hours earlier, a credit rating agency warned it might downgrade Spain's rating due to weak growth prospects.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-88258383978253470532011-07-19T01:09:00.007+02:002011-07-24T00:10:58.955+02:00

David Beckham has posted a video on Facebook in which he describes his joy at the arrival of his first daughter with wife Victoria. The couple has called the baby Harper Seven. Click here to continue reading article and watch video of Beckham. Source: Sky News Vocabulary: (adj) be very much in love with stg or sb - s______ a expression often used by parents to refer to their baby - a b_____

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-61371667453772349572011-07-18T20:05:00.004+02:002011-07-23T22:10:48.163+02:00

A couple from Largs in Ayrshire have been named as the winners of the £161m Euromillions jackpot. Chris Weir said she and her husband Colin were "tickled pink" when they realised they had scooped Tuesday's jackpot. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: ganar / llevar - (inf) el sorteo - ostentoso - no acostarse - riqueza - con éxito - una ganancia inesperada - a los pies de - el gordo - un paso -

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-59825073761249134982011-06-29T00:52:00.003+02:002011-06-29T21:47:56.770+02:00

La Rioja's wine battle Thousands of litres of wine are needed every June for the San Pedro festival which is held the end of the month in the town of Haro, in the north west of the wine region of La Rioja. Some of it is drunk, but the vast majority is used as ammunition for Haro’s ‘Batalla del Vino’, the ‘Wine Battle’ which is held every June 29. Source: typicallyspanish .com Would you like

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-73906435594682030602011-06-29T00:40:00.005+02:002011-06-30T23:01:55.216+02:00

Mijas teenager charged with misappropriation for eating chocolates sent to her house by error The 14 year old ate half the chocolates in the box after the courier de livered them to the wrong address. A fourteen year old girl from Mijas, Málaga, has been charged with misappropriation for eating a gift of chocolates which was delivered to her house in error. The teenager was unable to resist

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-80713481917149039482011-06-26T03:05:00.006+02:002011-06-26T18:39:39.352+02:00

The bird arrived on Peka Peka Beach, about 40 miles north-west of Wellington on Monday, the first time in 44 years that an emperor penguin has been spotted in the wild in New Zealand. Typically, emperors spend their entire lives in and around Antarctica. At first it seemed fine, but as the week progressed, it became more lethargic. It ate a lot of sand, apparently mistaking it for snow, which

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-62879320549738775702011-06-24T00:20:00.011+02:002011-07-02T22:05:46.125+02:00

A man who ignited a row about airline dress codes after he was allowed to wear skimpy women's panties and mid-thigh stockings on a U.S. Airways flight has said that he does it to make business travel more fun. The 65-year-old Phoenix man, who works as a business consultant and flies several times a month as a preferred customer on the airline, said that he has flown in scanty female clothing for

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-10135626194293933522011-06-21T23:54:00.009+02:002011-07-02T02:24:45.355+02:00

A social networking site for ''beautiful people'' has been hit by a ''Shrek'' virus which allowed tens of thousands of ''ugly'' applicants to sign up. Members of BeautifulPeople.com must traditionally pass a strict ''rating'' stage where existing users vote on whether someone is attractive enough to be accepted into the online community. But this screening process was brought down last month,

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-57785920142669181482011-06-21T23:25:00.002+02:002011-06-22T20:40:43.840+02:00

Correct the sentences that are wrong: She was born in the third of April. How much costs a ticket to Malaga? He likes go to the countryside at the weekends. Who did say "veni, vidi, vici"? We haven't to get up early tomorrow. I'd like seeing that film. I think they win the match. They are playing well at the moment. Where do you go for your holiday this summer? The weather is worse this week that

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-43431628296634954512011-06-21T15:31:00.007+02:002011-07-02T22:31:19.381+02:00

They tried to make her go to rehab -- and she did. But perhaps Amy Winehouse should’ve stay in rehab a little longer. Source: newsy.com How would you have reacted if you had seen her give such a performance? Why do you think so many stars have to go to rehab? Have you ever been to a concert that you didn't enjoy? Why? Vocabulary: w____ - the money that you receive from your work at the

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-55902865792820395442011-06-18T14:41:00.008+02:002011-07-06T00:59:23.379+02:00

Jerusalem rabbis 'condemn dog to death by stoning' A Jewish rabbinical court condemned to death by stoning a stray dog it feared was the reincarnation of a lawyer who insulted its judges, reports say. The dog entered the Jerusalem financial court several weeks ago and would not leave, reports Israeli website Ynet. Source: qatarliving.com How did you feel after you read this story? What does

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-4879108552375560242011-06-18T01:40:00.009+02:002011-07-01T22:54:55.166+02:00

A drunken brawl, a celebrity call girl and tattooed men (and women)... whatever happened to a genteel day out at Ascot? For 300 years, it has been the highlight of the summer calendar for the well-off and well-connected. But these days, it seems, the enclosures and stands of Royal Ascot are becoming increasingly popular with a much less distinguished breed of racegoer. Source: Daily Mail

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-73480160935249898182011-06-18T01:31:00.007+02:002011-07-02T02:33:21.161+02:00

Saudi Facebook campaign sees women drive cars The call to defy the ban that spread through the social networking sites is the largest en masse action since November 1990, when a group of 47 Saudi women were arrested and severely punished after demonstrating in cars. "We've just returned from the supermarket. My wife decided to start the day by driving to the store and back," said columnist

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-24044543702645684872011-06-15T23:47:00.010+02:002011-07-02T20:37:05.837+02:00

When the world caught wind last week of the disappearance of an out lesbian blogger in Syria -- journalists and activists went on the hunt. CNN, JUNE 6, 2011: “A well-known female blogger has allegedly been abducted in Syria. Relatives of Amina Abdullah say she hasn't been seen since she was bundled into a car yesterday. Her blog, ‘Gay Girl in Damascus’ has made her an icon of the Syrian

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-38474969199703613622011-06-15T23:01:00.007+02:002011-07-02T22:32:28.285+02:00

Tunisia defends 'provocative adverts' to woo tourists Tunisia has defended a controversial advertising campaign to attract tourists who deserted the country after its revolution in January. It includes billboards in London of a woman getting a massage, next to the words: "They say that in Tunisia some people receive heavy-handed treatment." Source: BBC News Do you think the ad campaign will

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-28758170484877567072011-06-14T18:22:00.007+02:002011-10-18T13:24:07.174+02:00

Who annoys you most? A. People with prams (11%) B. Couples holding hands (0%) C. Cyclists (22%) D. Dog owners (66%) All of the above annoy me. I can't stand people who push their prams as if they were armoured tanks and flatten all that is in their way. I have nothing against people holding hands with their partner but please leave it for a romantic walk in the countryside. Many

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-16469610866516133372011-06-14T17:18:00.008+02:002011-07-02T22:35:16.428+02:00

Protestor pockets $1.8m lotto win  A demonstrator camped in a central Madrid square to protest the economic crisis has won 1.3 million euros in the national lottery. Source: Herald Sun Do you feel any different about this lottery winner? If so, why? What do you think he will do with his winnings? Vocabulary: to d________ an organisation - the opposite of "to build" n_________ (adj) - all

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-32550250830207293252011-06-12T14:22:00.007+02:002011-07-02T22:48:06.250+02:00

Video: itnnews Philippines man crowned world's shortest A teenager from a poor family in the rural Philippines has been declared the world's shortest man as he turned 18. Guinness World Records presented Junrey Balawing, who is 59.93cm (23.6 inches) tall, with a certificate at his birthday party. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: a s______ (formal) - a brother or a sister to c____ - to give a

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-25908567536897785462011-06-07T23:40:00.006+02:002011-07-03T01:04:21.815+02:00

Clubber wins compensation for dance floor fall A clubber who broke her wrist in a fall on a dance floor has won £28,000 compensation. Source: STV Do you think this woman deserves the compensation? Do such cases happen in Spain? Vocabulary: l_________ (n) - the way sb earns money to pay for food, a place to live etc to l____ - to make an official complaint, claim, protest etc about sth w_

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-48960733437522262192011-06-02T23:59:00.011+02:002011-07-04T22:28:17.990+02:00

Boy wears skirt to school in protest against 'discrimination' Chris Whitehead wore a girls' knee-length skirt to classes at Impington Village College, near Cambridge, Cambs. He is protesting against a school uniform policy which bans boys from wearing shorts during the summer months. Source: Telegraph Did you have to wear a school uniform? Could boys wear shorts in the summer? Do you think

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-10581936289941351482011-06-02T23:53:00.009+02:002011-07-24T16:44:58.613+02:00

Man with 'face that makes children cry' splits from woman he met on website for the aesthetically challenged The self-confessed 'ugly' couple who got engaged through Britain's first dating agency for the 'aesthetically challenged' have split up. Source: Daily Mail Do you know any couples who met over the internet? Do ugly people only marry other uglies? If you had to choose, would you

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-24329495375341408182011-06-01T01:10:00.003+02:002011-07-05T23:47:31.767+02:00

A deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe is causing some shoppers to cross off fresh vegetables from their grocery lists. According to CBS News, Germany’s national disease control center reported a total of more than 1,000 people have been infected. Source: newsy.com  Vocabulary: un granjero - un brote - un coágulo sanguíneo - rechazar - negar - los científicos - una corbata - acusar -

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-62010913615162279562011-05-30T21:56:00.004+02:002011-06-25T19:01:53.167+02:00

Here are six sentences that use either the first or second conditional. Write the sentences that you hear. Use the pause button and listen as many times as you like.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-3264495003408451672011-05-29T16:26:00.002+02:002011-05-29T16:26:39.156+02:00

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-79624486477288848772011-05-29T15:49:00.003+02:002012-01-31T17:22:01.576+01:00

You can't force a nurse to wear a skirt in Spain The Spanish Constitutional Court has ruled that the obligation on nurses to wear skirts at the Pascual Clínicas in Spain is unconstitutional. Consulting nurses and those on the wards have been ordered by the clinic to wear skirts, stockings and nurses cap, while their colleagues in theatre and male staff were allowed to use health pyjamas.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-37708285398315117582011-05-28T11:27:00.004+02:002011-07-06T19:22:59.214+02:00

Spanish protesters clash with police over clean-up Violence breaks out around Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya, the first trouble after 12 days of protests Source: Guardian Vocabulary: chocar - una bala de goma - imágenes - desalojar - multitudes - una manifestación - estallar - un camion - un colchón - pegar - ensangrentado - una lona - quitar -            / en todas partes -

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-89696995222462406522011-05-28T02:26:00.003+02:002012-01-31T17:25:45.360+01:00

Jailed burglar Wayne Bishop freed to care for children A burglar from Nottingham has been freed from jail on appeal so he can care for his five children. Wayne Bishop, 33, was jailed for eight months for breaking into a rugby club and crashing into a police car. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: a burglar - on appeal - to jail - a judgement - to breach - to let off - dead-end (adj) - to clip -

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-15891048157837967632011-05-27T20:10:00.001+02:002011-05-27T20:11:38.318+02:00

Correct the following sentences that have mistakes: He has just gone out for to buy some bread. I would like going to Cuba this summer. It's lovely to see you again. I hope to find a better job soon. I don't mind to get up early. I am thinking to join a gym after the summer holidays. Swimming is the best sport to keep fit. He hasn't to wear a suit on Fridays; he can go casual. You must to take

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-78704220992439162322011-05-27T19:18:00.004+02:002011-05-28T20:45:51.455+02:00

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. If you say to someone "it's up to you"; you are telling them that they are the one to make the choice, that it is their decision or it depends on them A: Do you think I should take the job? B: That's up to you. You'd earn more but remember that you'd have a longer journey to work. A: I can't make up my mind. Should I buy the red or black

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-51206050710884894692011-05-23T22:40:00.003+02:002012-01-31T17:29:35.075+01:00

Zapatero's Socialists defeated by People's party in regional elections Results seen as protest vote against Spain's José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's handling of economy since 2008 The PSOE socialist party of Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is licking its wounds after defeat by the conservative opposition People's party (PP) in municipal and regional elections. Source:

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-49244807283515281902011-05-21T12:58:00.006+02:002012-01-31T17:41:18.468+01:00

Spanish protesters head for standoff with police in Madrid square Thousands of anti-government protesters in Madrid and other cities refuse to leave as interior minister warns of intervention Thousands of protesters who are camped out in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol square and in dozens more Spanish cities have pledged to defy an order to pack up their tent cities and leave. Source:

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-29591941890895218002011-05-21T00:22:00.004+02:002012-01-31T17:44:06.533+01:00

They’ve been dubbed the “Indignados” -- or “The Angry Ones.” Youth-led protests in Spain continue to gain momentum just days before local elections-- as protesters take to the streets, angry about the nation’s 21% unemployment rate under the ruling Socialist Party. Source: Newsy Vocabulary: to dub sb/stg: youth led: the unemployment rate: an outpouring of stg: to spread: to make up for stg: a

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-3533067134870698662011-05-20T00:25:00.004+02:002012-01-31T17:50:39.112+01:00

Spain website encouraging wives to have affairs angers husbands Madrid advertisements prompt city's males to post angry comments on site's Facebook wall An advertising campaign inviting married women to sign on to a website that will allow them to find men they can have affairs with has provoked an angry reaction in the Spanish capital Madrid. Source: Guardian Vocabulary: to encourage: to

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-16936326137253729482011-05-18T22:00:00.004+02:002012-01-31T17:52:46.063+01:00

Spanish youth rally in Madrid echoes Egypt protests About 2,000 young people angry over high unemployment have spent the night camping in a famous square in Madrid as a political protest there grows. A big canvas roof was stretched across Puerta del Sol square, protesters brought mattresses and sleeping bags and volunteers distributed food. Source: BBC News Vocabulary: a rally: to disperse: a

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-41837942327260612672011-05-15T14:02:00.004+02:002012-01-31T17:57:08.501+01:00

One of the most celebrated holidays of Madrid is held on May 15, the Feast Day of San Isidro who is the city's patron saint as well as the patron saint of farmers. The traditional festival and feast are held in an open-air area known as the Pradera del Santo. San Isidro was born in Madrid in 1082 and died in 1172. Legend has it that while the saint was praying, two angels ploughed the land for

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-35752464714715958602011-05-14T21:50:00.001+02:002011-05-14T21:51:21.324+02:00

It's that time of year again. But it's not what it was. Here are a couple of songs from my childhood that came out tops in the contest. A winner from 1982, I remember singing this on stage at school: A Little Peace - Nicole Just like a flower when winter begins Just like a candle blown out in the wind Just like a bird that can no longer fly I'm feeling that way some times But then as

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-50181836434474648212011-05-14T11:09:00.002+02:002011-05-14T11:09:59.486+02:00

Aaaaaaarrrrghhhh!!!! For some unknown reason there was an interruption to the blog on Wednesday and the problem has only just been solved. The messages (yours and mine) that have been written in the last 48 hours seem to have got lost. Hopefully, you have saved them somewhere. Could you send them again, please? I'll take this opportunity to remind everyone about the new gadget from Answer.com

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-56787245359897255432011-05-14T10:46:00.008+02:002012-01-31T18:05:50.352+01:00

Duncan Bannatyne bids on eBay for Princess Beatrice's royal wedding hat Duncan Bannatyne has kicked off the bidding on eBay for the bizarre hat worn by Princess Beatrice at last month's royal wedding. The entrepreneur and Dragons' Den star offered the £5,000 starting price for the flamboyant Philip Treacy creation, which is being auctioned for charity. Bannatyne, a Unicef UK ambassador, said

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-45465944177498306552011-05-13T23:31:00.002+02:002012-01-31T18:08:48.264+01:00

Spain earthquake: Thousands in Lorca sleep out in fear Thousands of people have spent the night outdoors in the southern Spanish town of Lorca after an earthquake which killed at least eight people. The magnitude-5.2 tremor toppled several buildings after striking at a depth of just 10km (six miles), 120km south-west of Alicante. Lines of cars lay crushed under tonnes of rubble after Spain's

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-35444282709897028142011-05-11T01:47:00.004+02:002011-05-17T23:32:22.930+02:00

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-18689309602543124242011-05-11T01:43:00.011+02:002011-05-17T22:57:04.987+02:00

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required.

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-31289113124816203632011-05-11T01:35:00.003+02:002011-05-17T23:49:07.337+02:00

Unable to display content. Adobe Flash is required. 'Urban myth' The rumours have been circulating on the streets and online for months that the Eternal City is facing imminent destruction. They were based on work by Bendandi, who was knighted by Mussolini in 1927 for his prophetic meteorological skill. He was said to have used his theory that the movement of the planets caused seismic

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-68347142154596002622011-05-10T18:43:00.002+02:002011-05-11T00:36:24.653+02:00

Write the questions for the following answers: ....? Yes, I have. Two brothers and a sister. ....? A suit and tie. ....? I either go to see a film or I invite some friends for dinner. ....? No, the Scottish are much friendlier than the English. ....? No, never but I'd like to go. ....? Zaragoza, but I grew up in Madrid. ....? Two years ago. I need a holiday this year. ....? since we were at

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-81063294198183886832011-05-09T00:56:00.007+02:002011-05-10T12:46:57.721+02:00

A. What does she look like? How old is she? Where's she from? B. What does he look like? Does he look friendly? What does he do?C. What does she do? Does she look like her famous mother? How old is she? Where's she from? D. Where's he from? What does he do? Does he look like a politician? E. How old is he? What does he look like? Does he look like his famous sister?F. Where's he from? Does he

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-43492272362450675072011-05-08T20:00:00.001+02:002011-05-08T21:12:41.306+02:00

We use the Present Perfect form (have + past participle) to talk about our experiences. We do not specify the time of the action(s).I have been to Florida. RIGHT I have been to Florida last year. WRONG I went to Florida last year. RIGHT He's worked for some of the top companies. RIGHT We've seen this film three or four times. RIGHT We saw this film three or four times. WRONG They've met the

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-6907765057135472552011-05-07T22:53:00.005+02:002012-01-31T18:13:07.234+01:00

Would you ever believe that an American woman from Portland, Oregon who talks like this: “Hi this is Karen, sorry I can’t come to the phone at the moment.” (Video: KATU) Could leave a dentist appointment sounding like this? “Oh where are you from, where did you get that accent? Well I got it from my dentist in Toledo!” (Video: WEWS) Karen Butler suffers from an extremely rare disorder,

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-42921480252147461972011-05-07T22:42:00.003+02:002011-05-08T14:22:13.220+02:00

Are the following sentence right or wrong? Correct those that are wrong. 1.  My car has broken down again. It's high time to buy a new one. 2.  I wish I would never started watching this film. 3.  I regret not to go to university. It's much more difficult to find a job without a degree. 4.  I would have forgotten if you wouldn't have reminded me. 5.  We have met before, don't we? 6. He

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-3464953872832086382011-05-07T17:12:00.003+02:002012-01-31T20:23:32.709+01:00

Barcelona is famous around the world for its louche, anything goes atmosphere. But it seems Catalans have had enough of cleavage, and now the Mediterranean resort city is getting tough on those who dare to bare. Tourists who wander the streets of Barcelona in just their swimming costumes - or less - will now face stiff fines. Source: Daily Mail Vocabulary: louche - anything goes - to get

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-23664305820756199292011-05-03T21:22:00.003+02:002011-05-14T22:06:48.194+02:00

CNN ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News. DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: We're being told by a White House official that the president will make a statement at 10:30. WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR, THE SITUATION ROOM WITH WOLF BLITZER: I'm told by sources it is a national security issue. JOHN KING, CNN HOST, JOHN KING, USA: CNN is told by several sources now that the president of the

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-86991477373606228002011-05-02T23:31:00.003+02:002011-05-07T16:28:32.971+02:00

Last cigarette... airport charges smokers for that last minute drag A final cigarette before that flight? It comes with a price tag at Belfast International Airport. Smoking is a real drag at the airport where smokers must pay £1 to smoke a cigarette in a designated area. It is thought to be the first airport in the UK to introduce such a charge. Smokers are asked to put a coin into a machine

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-53431050393934603382011-05-02T23:20:00.001+02:002011-05-03T22:13:19.354+02:00

A gym in Spain's Basque region has come up with an eye-catching way of battling the recession. It has begun offering naked workouts, for nudists. Easy Gym in Arrigorriaga is the first of its kind in Spain, pioneering the peculiar practice of stripping while keeping fit. "With the crisis we noticed there were fewer people using the gym," owner Merche Laseca explained to the BBC. "I'm not a

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-84697997726624826422011-05-02T20:35:00.002+02:002011-05-14T22:10:05.367+02:00

"Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. "It was nearly 10 years ago that a bright September day was darkened by the worst attack on the American people in

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-20433039138529598502011-05-01T18:50:00.006+02:002011-05-14T22:07:48.255+02:00

John Paul II beatified in Vatican ceremony The late Pope, John Paul II, has been officially beatified at a ceremony at the Vatican in front of hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful. Among those at St Peter's Square is French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, who says she was cured of Parkinson's Disease. Her apparently miraculous cure is part of the case for the beatification, the last stage

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-73385714020100066402011-05-01T18:34:00.006+02:002011-05-14T22:15:03.871+02:00

Just as the royal newlyweds finished their vows, Internet records burst. Now, tech experts say the event was the perfect example of the future of online viewing. According to CNN, the abundance in Internet traffic makes the wedding the sixth biggest event in Internet history. Even bigger than President Obama’s election night. (Video from ITN) “Global Internet traffic on news-focused websites

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-42778396782546750422011-05-01T18:27:00.001+02:002011-05-02T21:24:38.453+02:00

Spanish judge orders 25-yr old man to 'leave home and get a job' The man from Andalusia in the south of Spain had taken his parents to court demanding a monthly allowance of 400 euros (£355) after they refused to give him anymore money unless he tried to find a job. Instead the judge at family court number five in Malaga, ruled against the man, who has a degree in law, and told him he must leave

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-10251391399316483042011-04-25T16:22:00.001+02:002011-04-26T13:55:23.363+02:00

Have you ever wondered why Easter Sunday can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25? And why do Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Easter on a different day than Western churches? These are all good questions with answers that require a bit of explanation. In fact, there are as many misunderstandings about the calculation of Easter dates, as there are reasons for the confusion. What follows

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-48849088595964987932011-04-13T17:24:00.001+02:002011-05-14T22:16:16.631+02:00

Turn that frown upside down Great Britain! “Is this a serious question, are you happy? And can you do something about it? Well this is the launch of Action for Happiness, a new charity, and this is well, effectively, a festival of happiness.” (BBC) The charity encourages Brits to engage in a pay it forward lifestyle and its founders say the proof is in the numbers--something Great Britain’s

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-83312661798037586642011-04-13T17:11:00.001+02:002011-05-14T22:19:44.013+02:00

It’s a decision every new mother must make- breast or bottle? Now six-year-olds are faced with the same choice. Thanks to the world’s first breastfeeding babydoll! The doll teaches little girls how to breastfeed--and even requires periodic burps. First released in Spain a couple years ago, VH1’s Best Week Ever has a go... (Video Source: Breast Milk Baby) Opens with doll sucking: “That is

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-1824706406800662122011-04-12T18:17:00.001+02:002011-06-27T01:14:50.070+02:00

Clubber sues for £100,000 over slippery dance floor A CLUBBER is seeking £100,000 in compensation from the former owners of a popular Inverness nightspot after slipping and falling. Angela Spalding has brought the civil action against the CFG Leisure Group, which used to own the Love2Love nightclub on Castle Street, claiming she fell and injured herself because the dance floor was slippery from

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-3127881193339835062011-04-12T17:49:00.001+02:002011-04-12T18:18:37.535+02:00

Madrid school to pay 40,000 € compensation for case of bullying It's the highest amount a school has ever had to pay in Spain A school run by a religious order in Alcorcón has been ordered to pay 40,000 € compensation to the parents of an ex pupil who suffered constant bullying by a group of schoolmates during his primary school studies. The amount set by First Instance Court No. 44 in the

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-42976081603337875732011-04-05T13:03:00.002+02:002011-05-08T14:24:21.234+02:00

Part 1 Vocabulary Choose A, B, C or D to complete the sentence. 1. Would you mind looking _______ the dog while I’m away? A. for                         B. at C. after                      D. over 2. I look __________ my father because he is a hard-working, honest man. A. down to                B. up to C. up for                   D: down over 3. Could you _____________ this form and hand

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-12138911764151468132011-04-04T22:05:00.000+02:002011-04-04T22:05:53.108+02:00

Video: Associated Press A dog rescued from a roof drifting off Japan's north-east coast more than three weeks after a quake and tsunami has been reunited with her owner. The owner recognised the dog from a TV news report on the rescue on Friday. The female owner and the two-year-old dog called Ban had an emotional reunion at an animal care centre where she was being looked after. "We'll

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-80995674545214057922011-04-03T22:21:00.002+02:002011-04-03T23:59:22.995+02:00

Here is a clip from a series from the 1970s called "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em". Perhaps the most popular British sitcom "Only Fools and Horses": One of comedian Harry Enfield's many characters Kevin the Teenager: A classic comedy from the 1970s "Fawlty Towers": The world famous Mr Bean: Two of many characters from the show Little Britain: Benny Hill best represents British

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-52181530189959781832011-04-02T16:04:00.001+02:002011-04-02T20:31:48.632+02:00

Spain PM will not stand at election Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has announced that he will not seek a third term in office at general elections in 2012. His decision opens a process to elect his successor at the helm of the Socialist Party. Mr Zapatero said he had decided to limit his time in office to two terms because it was the right thing for the country, his party

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-41631638747737311302011-04-02T11:42:00.004+02:002011-05-14T22:29:31.840+02:00

Tsunami-surviving dog rescued after three weeks at sea A dog believed to have survived the tsunami and then three weeks at sea was rescued by the Japanese Coast Guard in northern Japan. Coastguards spotted the dog on the floating roof of a house that had been washed out to sea, about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) from the coast of Kesennuma in northern Japan. The dog had evaded capture for

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-90193231445815404412011-04-02T11:27:00.003+02:002011-04-02T20:33:51.172+02:00

José Zapatero's feminista agenda Spain's prime minister José Zapatero has nine women in his cabinet. But has it really made a difference? On 16 April 2008, Spain scored a European first, (opinion is divided about whether or not it was a world first – it depends on whether or not you count the Amazons) when José Zapatero, the socialist prime minister, entered his second term and announced a

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-32944500644397758482011-04-02T11:00:00.000+02:002011-04-02T11:00:28.930+02:00

Fake police have been stealing from foreign drivers in Spain Nine arrests have been made in Madrid as a gang of fake police have been broken up. The gang is thought to have taken more than 18,000 € from foreign drivers in 76 crimes around the capital, pretending to be the police, and despite using very poor costumes for their scam. One even had a T-shirt which read – FBI – Female Body

Grahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04975986173849446569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340805673962589545.post-33132178530849227532011-04-02T00:00:00.034+02:002011-04-04T22:59:32.086+02:00

Consider the following: I usually go to work by car. I used to go to work by car. (Now I go by bus) I am used to going to work by car. I am getting used to going to work by car. "Usually" is an adverb like "always", "sometimes", "never" and so on, which we use to describe the frequency of an action. "Used to" describes a past habit and implies a comparison / contrast with the present. "be used

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