New Orleans
I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language each week. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
New Orleans is a wonderfully unique city with culture, music, art and beneighs. It survived a horrific hurricane in 2005 that took the lives of 1, 392 people and it is the host of this year’s Superbowl. So this weeks newsletter will help you get to know this American city, while giving you some valuable tips and tricks to improve your English.
Listening Tip
Language Level – B1
A great way to practice your listening skills is to watch a local new program. Here is a video about a recent snowfall in New Orleans:
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Compound-Complex Sentences
First, a review:
- A simple sentence has a subject and verb with an object – Jack walked to the store.
- A compound sentence joins two simple sentences with a conjunction – Jack walked to the store and he bought eggs.
- A complex sentence joins an independent clause (also known as a simple sentence) and a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction – When Jack ran out of eggs, he walked to the store.
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Example: When Jack ran out of eggs, he walked to the store and he bought more.
Let’s Practice!
Identifying the types of sentences.
For each sentence, write Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex to show what type it is.
1. These jogging shoes are canvas and suede. ____________
2. Can you fix the bell, or should I call the electrician? ___________
3. We picked the apples ourselves and baked a pie. ____________
4. The reporter asked if she could arrange an interview. _________
5. People spend one-third of their lives asleep. ____________
6. The mysterious burglary, that baffled the police for years, has finally been solved, and justice will now be served. ________________
7. The union met with its members, and they accepted the contract.______
8. The rescue worker explained what the situation was. __________
9. After the audience gave him an ovation, Lionel Ritchie sang two encores, and then he left the stage. ____________________
10. As she presented the awards, the principal congratulated us. ________
Vocabulary Tip
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Gradually (adv)
- Grand (adj)
- Grant (v, n)
- Guarantee (v, n)
- Handle (v, n)
- Harm (n, v)
- Harmful (adj)
- Hearing (n)
- Heaven (n)
- Heel (n)
Practice this vocabulary with Quizlet.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B1
Kids encyclopedias are a great way to learn about new things on a reading level that is more comfortable for newer language learners. Read about the history of the Jazz Festival in New Orleans here:
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. The term “Jazz Fest” also refers to the days surrounding the festival and the many shows at unaffiliated New Orleans nightclubs scheduled during the festival weekends.
Finish reading about it here: https://kids.kiddle.co/New_Orleans_Jazz_%26_Heritage_Festival
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – C1
Collocations are a part of everyday life in America, but they can be really confusing when you are learning the language. Increase your English fluency by selecting the correct word from the list below, that collocates with the word in red.
- I’m feeling ___ optimistic about our firm’s future.
- I’m not sure if he really regrets his actions. I didn’t exactly get a(n) ___ apology from him.
- John ___ admits that it was his fault.
- Scott talked to me last night. He gave me a lot of ___ advice about how to run the department.
- Their lawyers ___ deny these allegations.
- What technological ___ do you expect to see in the next decade?
- Finding a suitable replacement could be a ___ process.
Word List:
- Lengthy
- Considerable
- Cautiously
- Carefully
- Categorically
- Advances
- Enhancements
- Unsolicited
- Heavy
- Heartfelt
- Freely
- Mildly
Questions?
