Tag: ESL
English4Gamers – Episode 11 – Donkey Kong Country
The 11th episode of English4Gamers is out! In this episode, we keep playing Donkey Kong Country (1994), a platforming video game. As always, I suggest that you read the vocabulary list before watching the episode. There is also a fill in the gaps exercise (with downloadable version and answers) to test your listening comprehension.
- NEMESIS: an opponent or enemy that is very difficult to defeat.
Ex. The superhero fought her nemesis for years. - SCATTERED: placed or found far apart.
Ex. The toys were scattered all over the room. - PRECISE: exact and accurate.
Ex. Thanks to Marilyn’s precise directions, Louis and Natalie found the house without any problems.
- HUGE: very large; very great in size, amount, or degree.
Ex. They live in a huge house. - TRICKY: difficult to deal with.
Ex. It’s tricky to learn to ride a skateboard, but you never forget how. - SEVERAL: more than two but not very many.
Ex. He arrived several hours ago. - TO RETRIEVE: to find and bring back something.
Ex. Linda hoped she would be able to retrieve her files after her computer crashed.
Downloadable PDF version: English4Gamers – Episode 11 – Donkey Kong Country – Vocabulary
Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with the correct words from the box
- R: You will find ___________________, octopuses, and normal fish.
- A: I’ve___________________a secret passage.
- R: There is the ___________________ under that rock.
- R: You can still ___________________ him… follow him.
- R: With the ___________________ button you attack with your ___________________ .
- R: So, this is the last level before the ___________________.
- A: I really don’t like these jumping ___________________.
- A: They’re ___________________ everywhere.
- R: You can die many times if you want to, but it’s good because this is a very hard game so … It’s ___________________.
- A: Do I have to ___________________ the boss?!?
- R: Often the boss is a bigger version of a normal enemy … So … Like a ___________________ crocodile, a huge shark.
- R: You see … Every time you ___________________ on him, he gets faster and faster.
Downloadable PDF version: English4Gamers -Episode 11 – Donkey Kong Country – Fill in the gaps
Downloadable PDF version (answers): English4Gamers – Episode 11 – Donkey Kong Country – Answers
Listening Activity – Jane Austen
This is a listening activity based on The School of Life’s short video (about 7 minutes long) “LITERATURE – Jane Austen”. This activity is aimed at students who have an English level between B2 and C1 (Upper Intermediate and Advanced).
I suggest that you read the following vocabulary list before watching the video. Under the video, there are two exercises (with answers) and a writing practice suggestion.
VOCABULARY
- AMBITIOUS: having a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous; having ambition.
Ex. She was ambitious enough to aim for the company’s presidency.
- STERN: very serious; severe.
Ex. Journalists received a stern warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.
- CONSCIOUS: awake, thinking, and knowing what is happening around you.
Ex. When I took the exam, I was conscious that my parents were expecting a lot of me.
- DIGNIFIED: serious and somewhat formal; having or showing dignity.
Ex. Even when very old, he was very dignified in appearance. - WELL OFF: moderately rich.
Ex. They must be well off if they can afford to buy a house there!
- TEMPTED: to want something or to want to do something.
Ex. “Would you like some more pie?” “I’m tempted, but no thank you.” - STRUGGLE: a long effort to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that causes problems.
Ex. The people of this country will continue in their struggle for independence.
- TO CONDEMN: to say in a strong and definite way that someone or something is bad or wrong.
Ex. We strongly condemn this attack against our allies.
- TO OVERCOME: to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount.
Ex. To overcome one’s weaknesses. - INCOME: money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.
Ex. He has a very high annual income.
- TO FELL APART: to break into pieces (often used figuratively).
Ex. I feel as if my family is falling apart.
- TO SUPPLY: to furnish or provide (something wanting or requisite).
Ex. To supply a community with electricity. - WEALTH: a large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has.
Ex. The wealth of a city. - ELUSIVE: hard to find or capture.
Ex. Police are trying to track down the elusive criminal, who has so far avoided all their attempts to capture him. - SNOBBISH: like a snob (a person who respects and likes only people who are of a high social class).
Ex. He’s a snobbish rich kid. - GREED: a selfish desire to have more of something (especially money).
Ex. He was a ruthless businessman, motivated by naked ambition and greed.
Downloadable PDF version: JANE AUSTEN – Vocabulary
Watch the video and answer the following questions
- Austen wanted to change people with her novels. How did she want them to become?
- When is Jane Austen born and where?
- How was the writer’s family social status?
- Did she get married?
- What’s Jane’s sister name?
- How many novels did Jane complete?
- What are the titles of the novels she completed?
- What are the four main things Jane Austen wanted to teach us?
- In Jane Austen’s opinion marriage depends on two factors, do you remember them?
- Name the two mistakes people make around money according to Jane Austen.
Writing practice suggestion
- Write Jane Austen’s main opinions concerning love, marriage, judging people, money, and being snobbish. Do you agree or disagree with the writer?
Justify your answer.
Downloadable PDF version: Jane Austen – Listening comprehension
Downloadable PDF version: Jane Austen – Listening comprehension with answers
Watch the video then fill in the gaps in the following sentences
- Jane Austen is loved mainly as a guide to fashionable life in the _____________ period, but her own vision of her task was radically different.
- She was an ambitious and ______________ moralist.
- Born in _____________, Austen grew up in a small village in Hampshire, where her father was the Anglican _________________.
- She did much of her writing at a ______________ octagonal table.
- The _______________ was her chosen weapon in the struggle to reform humanity.
- ________________ starts of feeling superior because he has more money and higher status.
- The story ______________ them because they have developed well.
- ______________________________ starts when quiet, shy Fanny Price goes to live with her much richer cousins, the Bertrams.
- In Pride and Prejudice, she explains that Mr. _________________ has an income of _________________ pounds a year –that’s rather a lot- while Darcy has more than twice that.
- At one point in _______________________________, it looks like Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars who are otherwise well suited won’t be able to get married.
- In Emma, the heroine –Emma herself- takes ______________________ -a pretty girl from the village- under her wing.
Downloadable PDF version: Jane Austen – Fill in the gaps exercise
Downloadable PDF version: Jane Austen – Fill in the gaps exercise answers
Straightforward – What does it mean?
Visual thesaurus:
Example sentences from the web:
- David is a straightforward guy; he always says what he thinks.
- Our divorce settlement was very straightforward.
- You know, I just want some normal, straightforward family life.
English Quiz: Test your knowledge of quantifiers. – Intermediate Level
English4Gamers – Episode 9 – Donkey Kong Country
Last Tuesday Richard published the 9th episode of English4Gamers. Unfortunately, I was a bit busy last week 😦 and I didn’t manage to share it with you. As always, I wrote a vocabulary list and I suggest that you read it before watching the video. This time, we decided to play Donkey Kong Country, a 1994 platforming videogame published by Nintendo. The game is set on an island and the protagonists are Donkey Kong and his nephew Diddy Kong. They must recover their stolen hoard of bananas stolen by the Kremlings (anthropomorphic crocodilians). You can test your listening skills with a fill in the gaps exercise.
VOCABULARY
CROCODILE: 
TO PICK: to take something with your fingers; to gather together; to collect.
They were picking strawberries last week.
TO DEFEAT: to win against someone in a fight, war, or competition.
We must be ready to defeat our enemies in battle.
TO ROLL: to move forward while turning over and over.
BARREL: 
STORYLINE: the plot of a book, film, play, etc.
SUPPLY: the amount of something that is available to be used.
Ex. We have three months’ supply of tuna to eat.
RHINO: rhinoceros.
TO SWITCH: to make a change from one thing to another.
Ex. After the bank robbery, the gang switched cars.
ROPE: a strong, thick string that is made by twisting many thin strings or fibres together.
Ex. She made a knot in the rope.
TO SWING: to move backwards and forward or from side to side while hanging from something.
WASP: a flying insect, often black and yellow, that can sting.
BEE: a yellow and black flying insect that makes honey and can sting you.
TIP: a useful suggestion.
Bob gave us some tips about travelling in Italy.
CAVE: a hollow or natural passage under or into the earth, especially one with an opening to the surface.
SWORDFISH: 
Downloadable PDF version: English4Gamers Episode 9 Donkey Kong County
Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with the correct words:
- R: I finished it _______________times.
- R: What kind of _______________ do we have here?
- R: Basically, you are versus _______________.
- A: How many_______________do we have?
- A: How can you _______________ enemies?
- R: Or you jump over them or you _______________.
- A: Is there a _________________?
- R: You are Donkey Kong. You live in this_______________. One day, this crocodile, the Crocodile King came to your island and stole all your bananas.
- A: Yeah … My secret supply of _______________ hidden somewhere … He’s found it and …
- R: It’s a _______________ hard game, I must say.
- R: When you _______________ three of them … oh … I’ve just failed … When you pick three of them you gain a bonus _______________ where you can get more lives.
- A: But it’s difficult. I cannot see _______________.
- R: This is the first _______________, you have to collect four of them.
- A: I don’t like _______________ … This is _______________ rain. I want a sunny day.
- A: No, the big one is a _______________.
- R: This is a _______________, right? Not a bee.
- A: Bees are really nice and _______________ actually.
- A: Did you just _______________ at the exit?
- A: I like that they’re _______________ together.
- R: This is our _______________ probably, who give you tips and …
- R: This is a _______________ – level.
- A: You have to take your _______________.
Downloadable PDF version (without answers):English4Gamers – Episode 9 – Donkey Kong Country – Fill in the gaps
Downloadable PDF version (answers):English4Gamers Donkey Kong Country Answers
“Landmark” – What does it mean?
More example sentences from the web:
- The building shall be declared a historic landmark.
- Everyone wants to visit The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and the Brooklyn Bridge as famous, and historic, New York City landmarks.
Over the years, however, newer NYC landmarks have become must-see tourist destinations, such as the National September 11 Memorial, Apollo Theater,and the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. (Source)
Image source
Example sentences from the web:
- We are proud of this landmark in the history of our democracy.
- The cold war is a landmark that signals the dawning of the information age.
- The moon landing is a landmark in space exploration.
“A good husband makes a good wife” – English proverb
Image source
Example sentence:
- Don’t blame your wife for being quick-tempered with you; you haven’t been kind to her lately. A good husband makes a good wife!
QUICK-TEMPERED => becoming angry quickly and easily.
English4Gamers -Episode 7 – Prince of Persia part 2
The 7th episode of English4Gamers is out. In this episode, Richard and I are struggling a bit. It’s the second level of Prince of Persia, a famous but difficult retro game. It’s not the first episode based on this game, but there are some new words you can learn. I suggest that you read the vocabulary list below before watching the video. There is a fill in the gaps activity that you can try to do afterwards. You can find the answers in the PDF file.
VOCABULARY
TO LEAD = to take someone somewhere, by going with them.
Ex. She led us to the door.
TO ADVANCE = the act or process of moving forward.
Ex. Our plans are to advance toward the city.
TO PARRY = to defend yourself by turning or pushing aside.
Ex. The big man turned, parried, easily deflecting the swords with his broadsword.
TO SLASH = Cut with a wide, sweeping movement, typically using a knife or a sword.
Ex. The first time I told Madi that I was dating, she slashed my tires.
TO BACK OFF = to move backwards in order to get further away from something.
Ex. Okay, you’re going to have to back off a half step.
SPIKES = 
TO DEFEAT = to do better than another in a competition or battle; to win; to beat.
Ex. Together we might be able to defeat the witch.
SWORDSMAN = 
ASHAMED = feeling shame or guilt; feeling embarrassed.
Ex. I’m not ashamed to be a servant.
TO PICK UP = to lift (someone or something) from the ground or a low surface.
Ex. You must have picked up his jacket by mistake.
Downloadable PDF version: ENGLISH FOR GAMERS – Episode 7 – Prince Of Persia – Vocabulary
Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with the correct words from the box:
- Richard: We killed the _______________________.
- Anna: We have to _______________ the prince out of these _________________________ into the tower where the princess in locked. Because Jaffar _________________________ her.
- Richard: With SHIFT you __________________.
- Richard: I have one life ___________________.
- Anna: There are the spikes and there is the jar with the ________________.
- Richard: Maybe there are these ______________ on the ________________ that you can break, I’m not sure.
- Richard: Such a small jump and you ______________ your legs.
- Richard: It was ___________________.
- Anna: ___________________ the opponent, the swordsman!
- Anna: Slash! Slash! And then back ____________.
- Richard: You have to ________________ when he attacks you, not like … You can’t keep pressing the button. When he attacks, you press it and you ________________________ yourself.
- Richard: You are really ________________ at this game, but you have like half ____________ so …
- Anna: We have _____________ minutes to save the princess. I don’t think we will do that.
- Anna: You can’t change the ______________________.
- Anna: Just keep _________________ what you are doing.
Downloadable PDF version (without answers): English4Gamers – Episode 7 – Prince of Persia part 2 – Fill in the gaps exercise
Downloadable PDF version (answers): English4Gamers – Episode 7 – Prince of Persia part 2 – Answers
“To hit the hay” – English idiom
Image source: 1; 2.
Another way to say it is TO HIT THE SACK ;-).
This is a nice comic on this idiom made by Ploopikoosy:
More example sentences from the web:
- I have a busy day tomorrow, so I think I’ll hit the hay.
- Time to go home and hit the hay!
- I’m tired, I’m gonna hit the hay.
- Well, I’m going to hit the hay, I’m feeling pretty tired. Good night!
Here, you can read about the origin of this idiom: The meaning and origin of the expression: Hit the hay
Free English Materials For You 