The hyperspace hypertest: vocabulary, grammar and creativity.

3rd March 2025

Students around the ages of 10 or 11 move up to a higher level, and a harder book. To ensure that the students are able to deal with these increased demands, I’ve prepared a short test.

Most of the questions are based on work covered in the previous blocks, along with some extra questions based on grammar and vocabulary that I have taught.

Students will sit apart. Anyone caught cheating will receive a ZERO score. I am serious.

1) Tell me three things you can see in the night sky [3 points]

2) Use present continuous (verb + ing)

EXAMPLE:

I read (verb 1) = I am reading (continuous)

You eat // He plays // She watches // [3 points]

3) Tell me something you:

always do // sometimes do // never do

[3 points]

4) Name the instrument AND write a sentence in the simple past (Verb 2)

EXAMPLE: g______ / (guitar)

I played guitar last week.

c_____ / d______ / f_____ / p_______ [8 points]

5) Use adverbs of manner. Turn the adjective into an adverb:

The children spoke (quiet) //

The drummers banged (loud) [2 points]

6) If you write a review of a book, show or film, what information do you use ? [5 points]

7) What is simple past (V 2) for these Verbs ?

eat / give / go / have / make / put / see [7 points]

8) Write three questions with ‘wh’ words [where / what / why etc] [6 points]

9) Tell me something a penguin can do and something a penguin can’t do. Be creative and funny [4 points]

10) Object pronouns

EXAMPLE: Can you help I = Can you help me

Nobody saw (he) // Did you see (we) //

He couldn’t talk to (she) [3 points]

11) Use these adjectives in amazing sentences:

interesting // gruesome // xenophobic // popular // important [10 points]

12) Tell me what you like to do, and what job you would like in the future [10 points]

David Lynch R.I.P.

19th February 2025

A scrapbook of some of David’s work

Eraserhead 1977

The Elephant Man 1980

Blue Velvet 1986

Twin Peaks TV show 1990 – 1991

Lost Highway 1997

Straight Story 1999

Mulholland Drive 2001

Polish Night Music CD 2007 with Marek Zebrowski

Twin Peaks TV show Season 3 2017

David Lynch 20 January 1946 – 16 January 2025

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Olivia Hussey R.I.P.

17th February 2025

One wet, London afternoon, several classes of young teenage boys were herded into the main assembly hall. As a treat, or punishment, we were about to see the 1968 version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

My peers did not share my enthusiasm; Shakespeare, and a love story to boot.

However, as soon as the 15-year-old Olivia Hussey, as Juliet, appeared on the balcony, the teenage boys responded as teenage boys respond.

I, naturally, fell totally in love with ‘Juliet’.

Olivia continued working in film and TV, as well as doing voice-over work on some ‘Star Wars’ video games, up to 2015.

Sadly, Olivia passed away on 27th December 2024.

17th April 1951 – 27 December 2024

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

The Rhine River – fairy tales and gruesome stories.

12th February 2025

Today’s lesson is about a cruise on the Rhine, a famous river flowing through west Germany.

On the way, we will see fantastic castles, breathtaking views, and learn some fascinating stories.

Where does the Rhine start ? Where does it finish ? Remember, rivers start in mountains and end in bigger rivers, seas or oceans.

How many countries does the Rhine flow through ?

The Rhine flows from its source to its mouth through SwitzerlandLiechtensteinAustriaGermanyFrance and Netherlands.

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XElvTqJVWA&ab_channel=DWTravel

What can you see, what can you do ?

What famous stories did you learn ?

What interesting cities did you see ?

nouns:

landscape / fortress / legend / monument / journey / location / ruin

verbs: Verb 1 & (Verb 2)

destroy(ed) / inspire(d) / discover(ed) / renovate(d) / consider(ed)

adjectives:

magnificent / unusual / cruel / constant / majestic / breathtaking / important

Today, I travel on the famous Rhine River in Germany. I will see the Maus (mouse) Tower, the Loreley Rock and many magnificent castles.

First I see the Maus Tower, and learn the gruesome story …

Next, I travel past the Loreley Rock. Lorelay was a …

I journey past many … My favourite is … because …

The following websites were very useful: https://worldinmaps.com/rivers/rhine/ and https://securing-europe.wp.hum.uu.nl/rhine-tourism-napoleonic-empire-travelogues/

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Young Learners, level 2: Senses working overtime (Revisited)

6th February 2025

Premium Photo | Happy asian woman excited with thumb up taking selfie in  city street
She is ……….

She is young and happy.

Close Up Of Cute Tired Child Boy Sleeping On Sofa. Stock Photo, Picture And  Royalty Free Image. Image 16960148.
He is ……

He is tired.

Bored indian kid pic Stock Photos - Page 1 : Masterfile
He is very …..

He is very bored and unhappy.

Premium Photo | Korean red chili powder
She is very ….

She is very ill and unhappy.

I can run however I can’t fly

What can you do ? What can’t you do ?

Ask your partner what he or she can do

Here, my wonderful TA will ask me, then tell the class, in order to model how to answer

Thay Paul, what can you do ?

“I can play guitar however I can’t play piano.”

Tell the class:

He can play guitar however he can’t play piano.

s — // h – – – // s – – – – // t a – – – // t o – – –

Example:

Korean+butterfly Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Teen girl with pizza stock photo. Image of eating, dinner - 156547378

She can __________ a pizza however she can’t __________ a pizza.

Metallica Nothing Else Matter (cover by azry) - YouTube

He can ________ a guitar _______________________ .

5027-a-beautiful-african-american-teen-girl-smelling-a-flower-pv.jpg -  Member Albums - RISING PHOENIX GAMING an rpg play by post community

She can ______________________________ .

I Wish Someone Would Look At Me The Way Dogs Look At Food | Funny animal  photos, Funny dog pictures, Funny animal pictures

The dog can __________________________________ .

Tell me more

He is a dog.

He is a big, hungry dog.

He is a very hungry dog.

He is not (isn’t) a cat.

She is a …

She is a doctor. She isn’t a teacher.

Flying high as first Saudi pilot of world's largest aircraft | Arab News

He is a …

He is a pilot. He isn’t a doctor.

Undergraduate Torah Studies: James Striar School | Yeshiva University

She is a …

She is a student. She isn’t a pilot.

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Murakami on the Shore; talking animals and a whole lot more.

11th December 2024

Let’s kick off with a speaking exercise:

What is your English name ?

How old are you ?

What is your favourite food and why ? What food do you hate ?

What is your favourite game or toy, and why ?

First, some wonderful words. Translate them into your language:

excited

extraordinary (very, very special)

surprised

unbelievable

unique

One [adjective] day I was walking down the street. Suddenly, I heard a [adjective] voice. I turned around but there was nobody there … only a/an {adjective + animal}

“Hello,” said the …

aye-aye
cassowary
Oriental dwarf kingfisher

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Some or Any ? Young Learners, Level 2

2nd December 2024

There are some great websites for learning English.

There is some ice-cream at VinMart.

There aren’t any parks near my home.

There isn’t any French cheese.

Twinings tea shop, London

2 Let me give you _______ advice.

3 You don’t need to bring ____ paper. There will be ______ print-outs available.

4 There will be _____ visitors from Germany coming. Do you know ____ German?

Speaking practice:

Jim I can’t wait for Tet. Do you have any plans?

Ann Of course! I’m going to watch some films and get some rest.

Jim Have you bought any special food?

Ann I don’t have any time for shopping. I’ve still got some juice. How about you?

Jim I need to buy some fruit, some biscuits, and do I need any special food for Tet?

Ann Absolutely ! You must buy some cakes and some sweets. 

Jim Anything else? I need some advise.

Ann Just make sure you have some beer. A LOT of beer. Cheers!

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Teacher’s Day 2024: flowers, travel cup and a dinosaur.

22nd November 2024

Art work by Ms Hường

A heartfelt thank you to all the students who gave me Teacher’s Day messages, flowers and gifts.

Roses from Peter & Captain Lauren.

Single flower from Princess Leah.

Travel cup from Benjamin ‘Benny the Ball’. Pretty cool, hey ?

Cows from Rosemary, then clockwise, Lily, Sunny, and the dog from Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds).

Dinosaur from Elsa (“Who’s into Alka Seltzer”).

NOT life size.

I believe it’s a parasaurolophus but if I’m mistaken, please enlighten me.

Art work by Captain Brenda
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