Preparing for Proficency

A bit of music to relax after the exam...

Purpose Purpose clause usually comes after the main clause. I have a safe for valuables at home for the fear that a thief break in. Purpose clauses are introduced by these conjunctions: for fear that (formal), lest (formal), in order to, in order not to, in order that, so as to, so as not to, so that. Reason Reason clauses can be before or after the main clause. As it's a cloudy day, I'll take an umbrella. I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exams. Reason clauses are introduced by these conjunctions: As, because, in case, since.

Plurals, abstract and uncountable nouns → No article needed if talking about things in general. Imagination is characteristic from the humankind. The imagination allowed us to dream about our futures. Singulars and concrete nouns → Require an article (except some idioms). The definite article is precise and refers to something; and the indefinite articles is vague and more general, or to refer things that are mentioned for the first time. The telephone is ringing in the kitchen. (definite) When they opened the box they found a telephone. (indefinite) We don't use articles with certain countries, names of mountains, meals, unless formal ones, and words like: "bed", "school", "hospital" and "prison" when used for their intended purpose. I'm planning to visit Uganda. He had an accident, and now he's in hospital. I'll be there for the dinner .    The definite article is used with natural elements like: rivers, seas, o...

Used to explain what happened. That involves changes in verb tenses, pronouns. I went to the cinema. → He said he had gone to the cinema. "Must" → "had to"; and "mustn't" → "was not to" (when referring to obligations) I must buy my lunch. → He said he had to buy his lunch. You mustn't do that. → She said I was not to do that. You must buy a ticket. → He said we must buy a ticket. (no changes in laws or truths) First conditional: "If" → reported as usual; but "will" → "would" If you don't study you will fail. → She said if I didn't study I would fail. In general second conditional doesn't change. He would have won the competition. → She said he would have won the competition. Often a verb or a verb and an adverb are used to contain element of the report "What about going out tonight?", she asked. → She suggested going out tonight. "Oh my God! What a mess!...

Formation Be + Past Participle My hair has been cut by my hairdresser. Modal + Be + Past Participle That could be easily done by an skilled person. Tenses Simple present It is done. Present continuous It is being done. Present perfect It has been done. Present perfect continuous It has been being done. Simple past It was done. Past continuous It was being done. Past perfect It had been done. Past perfect continuous It had been being done. Future It will be done. Future continuous It will be being done. Future perfect It will have been done. Future perfect continuous It will have been being done. Uses of passive The action is more important than the person doing it. The solar panels are being replaced by the technicians. The subject doing the action is not known. The car has been stolen tonight. We want to produce an impersonal or official tone. Visitors must be guided by an official guide.

Comprehension Questions and Summary Writing This exercise consists on reading two texts and extracting the main ideas of both to make a summary and answer some questions related to it. You should be able to simplify the two texts to four basic ideas that paraphrase the whole meaning.