Issue #102

English Tips for:

Business English Language Learners (B.E.L.L.)

New York City

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.

One of the most popular places in the world for celebrating the New Year is New York City. Each year, about 1 million people pack into Times Square to listen to the music, drink in the lights, and watch the ball drop as over 3,000 pounds of confetti falls from above.

Listening Tip

Language Level – B2

Watch this short news clip about making the crystals for the Times Square ball. Turn on the CC to practice reading along, too.

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Grammar Tip

Language Level – B2

Indirect Questions

A direct question – a question that can be answered and always ends with a question mark.

Example: Do you like cheese?

An indirect question – a question embedded inside a statement, an order, or another question.

Example indirect question in a statement: She asked if I liked cheese.

Example indirect question in an order: Please ask me if I like cheese.

Example indirect question in a question: Did she ask if I liked cheese?

Indirect questions are often worded like statements, not questions.

A direct question will often start the sentence with a question word: who, what, where, when, why or how.

The indirect question will start with the question word, but the word order is often like a statement not a question.

Examples:

• I’m asking what the time is.
• I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.
• She was asking when you will return.

When the direct question has a yes-no answer, the indirect question will start with if or whether.

Examples:

• She’s asking if you’re cold.
• Tell the staff whether you need a seat.

We often use indirect questions when we are speaking with someone we don’t know well. It is considered more polite. Common phrases include:

• Could you tell me…
• Do you know…
• I was wondering…
• Do you have any idea…
• I’d like to know…
• Would it be possible…
• Is there any chance…

Examples:

• Could you tell me where the bathroom is?
• Do you know what time it is?
• Would it be possible to take the day off tomorrow?

Let’s Practice!

Turn each of these direct questions into indirect questions:

1. How much does this necklace cost?
2. Can we change the meeting to Friday?
3. Is it true?
4. What is he doing here?
5. How do I contact him?
6. Why did you move to New York?
7. Where did you find the recipe?
8. How much longer do we have to wait?
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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.

1. Fee (n)
2. Feed (n)
3. Feedback (n)
4. Feel (n)
5. Fellow (adj)
6. Figure (v)
7. File (v)
8. Finance (n, v)
9. Finding (n, v)
10. Firm (n)

​Use this quizlet to study this vocabulary (it’s free!)​

Each week new words are added to the same quizlet, so all of the B2 level words will be in one list for practice.

Writing Tip

Language Level – B1

(All language levels B1 and up and do this exercise. Make it as long or as short as you need. Higher levels should challenge themselves by adding descriptive adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language)

Practice writing using the past verb tense by writing a creative story using this prompt:

It all started when I picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport.

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Reading Tip

Language Level – B2

“The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designated as a National Monument in 1924.

Practice reading and learn more about the Statue of Liberty here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Statue-of-Liberty​

Weekly Challenge

Language Level – B2/C1

Watch this video that introduces types of figurative language and then complete the practice below:

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Identify the type of figurative language used in each of the sentences below:

1. The reflection of the moon danced across the ocean waves.
2. I’ve told you a million times to stop slamming the door!
3. Harry is as stubborn as a mule when it comes to doing his homework.
4. She is my compass that guides me through the correct path.
5. The last car I bought was a real lemon.
6. The tsunami swallowed the village in a matter of minutes.
7. The pretty purple peacock was on display in the park.
8. The buzzing of the bees broke the silence in the peaceful meadow.

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Questions?

Drop me a line

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