The Chinese New Year.

www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/190109/1901091.html

from:

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Free English Lessons Online

Urban Dictionary is the dictionary you wrote. Define your world. 6,361,330 DEFINITIONS SINCE 1999.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/

provides:

•  word of the day
• dictionary: both definition and examples.
• thesaurus

+ 

other stuff.

Here is an interesting example which illustrates everyday events:

Blackberry roulette

JANUARY 8

2902 up, 5420 down

Driving a motor vehicle while talking or texting on a cell phone.

Each time I see someone driving and talking on the phone I say to myself something's got to be done about these dangerous people; but nothing ever is. They just keep motoring along playing Blackberry roulette until one day their carelessness alters the life of an innocent.

ABBA singing HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A VIDEO PRESENTED IN 1980 AT SHOW EXPRESS, GERMANY.

Interesting New Year quotations.

http://www.quotegarden.com/new-year.html
some of them:

New Year's is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.  ~Mark Twain


Many years ago I resolved never to bother with New Year's resolutions, and I've stuck with it ever since.  ~Dave Beard


Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.  ~Oscar Wilde
...................................................................................................................
humbug : behaviour or talk that is not sincere

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Topic: ADVERTISING AND MARKETING

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Topic: BIOLOGY

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Topic: CLOTHES

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Topic: ANIMALS

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Topic: FOOD

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Topic: SPORT

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Topic: COMPUTERS

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The complete list of topics

Explore our topic dictionary

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING	ANIMALS	BANKING
BIOLOGY	BUSINESS BASICS	COMPUTERS
CLOTHES	DAILY LIFE	EDUCATION
FINANCE	FOOD	GRAMMAR
HAIR AND BEAUTY	HUMAN	LAW
MUSIC	NATURE	SPORT
STOCKS AND SHARES	TECHNOLOGY	TRADE

Check out this website to learn English.

http://www.subingles.com/


learning English through music.

Christmas in the United Kingdom

In the UK (or Great Britain), families often celebrate Christmas together, so they can watch each other open their presents!

Most families have a Christmas Tree (or maybe even two!) in their house for Christmas. The decorating of the tree is usually a family occasion, with everyone helping. Christmas Trees were first popularised the UK by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Prince Albert was German, and thought that it would be good to use one of his ways of celebrating Christmas in to England.

Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe are also sometimes used to decorate homes or other buildings.

Like a lot of countries, Nativity Plays and Carol Services are also very popular at Christmas time. The Church that I go to always has a Carols by Candlelight Service where the church is only lit up by candles. It is a very special service and always makes me feel very Christmassy! Lots of other British churches also have Carols by Candlelight and Christingleservices.

Children believe that Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, leaves presents in stockings or pillow-cases. These are normally hung up by the fire or by the children's beds on Christmas Eve. Children sometimes leave out mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them. Now, some people say that a non-alcoholic drink should be left for Santa as he has to drive!

Children write letters to Father Christmas listing their requests, but sometimes instead of putting them in the post, the letters are tossed into the fireplace. The draught carries the letters up the chimney and Father Christmas reads the smoke.

There are some customs that only take place, or were started, in the UK. Wassailing is an old anglo-saxon custom that doesn't take place much today. Boxing Day is a very old custom that started in the UK and is now taken as a holiday in many countries around the world.

In Scotland, some people celebrate New Year's Eve (which is called Hogmanay) more than Christmas! The word Hogmanay comes from a kind of oat cake that was traditionally given to children on New Year's Eve.

Also in Scotland, the first person to set foot in a house in a New Year is thought to have a big effect on the fortunes of the people that live there! Generally strangers are thought to bring good luck. Depending on the area, it may be better to have a dark-haired or fair-haired stranger set foot in the house. This tradition is widely known as 'first footing'. In England it is sometimes said that a stranger coming through the door carrying a lump of coal will bring good luck.

In Scots (a Scottish dialect) Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Blithe Yule'; in Gaelic it's 'Nollaig Chridheil'; and in Welsh (which is spoken in some parts of Wales it's 'Nadolig Llawen'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It was traditionally roast goose, although it's common to have turkey now, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which means stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. (In Scotland, some people might even have Haggis instead of turkey!) Dessert is often Christmas Pudding. Mince pies and lots of chocolates are often eaten as well! The dinner table is decorated with a cracker for each person and sometimes flowers and candles.

from:http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/uk.shtml

The Present Continuous Tense

http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentContinuous1A.html

When to use 

---

We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now. Examples    The kids are watching TV.    I am sitting down, because I am tired.    I am not learning German, because this is an English class.    Who are you writing to? We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening around now, and not necessarily this very moment. Examples    Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week.    I am reading a really interesting book now.    How are you brushing up on your English for the trip?    We aren't working hard these days. The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in the near future, especially for planned future events. Examples    I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday.    Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow.    Are you doing anything tonight?    We aren't going on holiday next week. Practice What uses of the Present Continuous Tense do these sentences have? I am playing football tonight.  --- Now Around now Future  I can't play with you now. I am finishing my homework.  --- Now Around now Future  Where are you studying?  --- Now Around Now Future  What are you doing these days? Working?  --- Now Around now Future  Sally is taking a bath.  --- Now Around now Future  What are you doing at the weekend?  --- Now Around now Future  Peter and Mary are going out. They met at Adam's party last week.  --- Now Around now Future

Second conditional

The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situation

If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.


Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)


If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.


Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.


  If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
  If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.


The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.


 If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
 If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
 If you were in my position, you'd understand.


Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.


 Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
 Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.


Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
 If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
 If she were coming, she would be here by now.
If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.


Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
 If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
 If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.
 If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.


Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")
He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")

I PASSED THE TEST!! TRY IT YOURSELF!!

CLICK ON THIS LINK AND TAKE THE TEST ONLINE AND CHECK YOUR LEVEL!! GOOD LUCK!!

http://www.british-study.com/quizzes/grammar-test.php

Grammar Test Results

You correctly answered 40 of 40 questions. Your level is approximately Advanced.

(GOD, I HAVE BEEN STUDYING ENGLISH FOR AGES AND MY LEVEL IS APPROX. ADVANCED?????????)

Correct Answers

1. I come from England.
2. There aren't many people here.
3. Tim isn't going to work tomorrow.
4. I'd like some information, please.
5. Did you walk to school yesterday?
6. I went to the shop to buy some chocolate.
7. 'I don't like coffee.' ' Neither do I.'
8. 'Have you visited London?' ' Not yet .'
9. Is Jo as tall as Chris?
10. You should do your homework.
11. 'Where's the nearest post office, please?'
12. Would you mind closing the window?
13. He's interested in learning Spanish.
14. How long have you been learning English?
15. His office is on the second floor of the building.
16. The doctor gave me a prescription for some medicine yesterday.
17. Can you tell me when the train leaves ?
18. I expect a reply to my letter in the next few days.
19. When Simon comes back tonight, he'll cook dinner.
20. We arrived in England two days ago.
21. 'Why are you so hungry?' 'Oh, I didn't have breakfast this morning.'
22. You had better see a doctor.
23. You should take up swimming.
24. 'Did you speak to Juliet?' 'No, I've hardly seen her.
25. He told me that he had been working in Spain the previous year.
26. She looks as if she's going to be sick.
27. The best way to learn a language is by speaking a little every day.
28. She told me to go to school.
29. I want to be a teacher when I grow up .
30. I'm fed up with doing this exercise.
31. It is ages since I saw my brother.
32. She has been accused of murdering her husband.
33. You aren't allowed to use your mobile so there's no point in leaving it on .
34. You needn't have done the cleaning. I would have done it tonight.
35. They have put speed bumps on the road to prevent accidents.
36. We would never have had the accident if you hadn't been driving so fast.
37. The tree was struck by lightning.
38. If only I were richer.
39. Despite being the better team, we lost the match.
40. By this time next year, I will have taken all my exams.