Entradas
31/12/10
29/12/10
Top 10 New Year's Resolutions
New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.
2. Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of people who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good.
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of people, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of people who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.
By Albrecht Powell, About.com Guide
This is a video about New Year's Resolutions:
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.
2. Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of people who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good.
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of people, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of people who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.
By Albrecht Powell, About.com Guide
This is a video about New Year's Resolutions:
All I want for Christmas is You by MILEY CYRUS
This a version of Mariah Carey's greatest hit, All I want for Christmas is you by Miley Cyrus; if you want to listen to the original Click before.
Christmas Alphabet Song
This original song, introduces us to all the Christmas elements as Christmas tree, reindeer, Santa, Mistletoe, etc... It is really funny!
From: A little brit of us!
From: A little brit of us!
Jingle Bells, christmas carols 1 ( LOL)
This is probably the most typical Christmas Carol and the most know everywhere, you can follow the lyrics and learn it at least! ( Este es probablemente el villancico más famoso de la lengua inglesa, sigue la letra de la canción y memorízala, al menos no inventes su letra y apréndela de una vez por todas!!)
Once you've learnt the first version by heart, try the second and fastest one!! you dare?
Once you've learnt the first version by heart, try the second and fastest one!! you dare?
27/12/10
To BE/GET used to
Sometimes we get confused with these two similar expressions.Both expressions refer to the Present, and they're followed by Gerund (-ing).
Ambos refieren al presente y van seguidos de un gerundio.
To be used to: Estar acostumbrado hacer algo . (When we always do something in the same way)
To get used to: Acostumbrarse a hacer algo.(When we do something too many times in a especial way, that becomes normal for us)
To be used to - estar acostumbrado a
Ambos refieren al presente y van seguidos de un gerundio.
To be used to: Estar acostumbrado hacer algo . (When we always do something in the same way)
To get used to: Acostumbrarse a hacer algo.(When we do something too many times in a especial way, that becomes normal for us)
To be used to - estar acostumbrado a
We were used to the sunny weather of the coast.
Estábamos acostumbrados al clima soleado de la costa.
Estábamos acostumbrados al clima soleado de la costa.
Mr. Jones wasn't used to all that luxury.
El señor Jones no estaba acostumbrado a todo ese lujo.
I am not used to travelling by plane.
No estoy acostumbrado a viajar en avión.
El señor Jones no estaba acostumbrado a todo ese lujo.
I am not used to travelling by plane.
No estoy acostumbrado a viajar en avión.
To get used to - acostumbrarse a (si sigue verbo, es un gerundio)
People get used to new technologies.
La gente se acostumbra a las nuevas tecnologías.
La gente se acostumbra a las nuevas tecnologías.
Paul never got used to living in the country.
Paul nunca se acostumbró a vivir en el campo.
Paul nunca se acostumbró a vivir en el campo.
I was getting used to working with Michael.
Me estaba acostumbrando a trabajar con Michael.
Me estaba acostumbrando a trabajar con Michael.
19/12/10
STUDENTS' DOUBTS: NEWS ARE OR IS ?
Many students of mine ask me about this question again and again, I'm going to clarify it.
The news today are always full of stories about people who are unhappy.
OR
The news today is always full of stories about people who are unhappy.
The correct entry: is
The error was: are
The noun news is always regarded as singular, it has singular agreement although it's plural. Don't forget.
18/12/10
Matisse - Better than her (song)
The video of this easy to follow and fantastic song, contains the lyrics this allows us to check the pronunciation at the same time you follow the music, a good activity, try!!
15/12/10
Get Married/ Be married / Marry
A lot of people get confused about how to use these words. Maybe this will help.
to marry (someone)- this is the general verb. It is the time when people come together as husband and wife. Do not say I married with someone. It is not correct. And do not say I married to someone. It is also incorrect.
Correct example: I married Sam 3 years ago.
to get married- this talks about the time two people got married. It makes us think of the wedding.
Correct example: I got married.
to get married to (someone)- We think of who was married in the wedding. Do not say I got married with someone. It is incorrect.
Correct example: I got married to Sam.
to get married in (someplace)- We think of where the wedding took place.
Correct Example: I got married in Hawaii.
to be married- This means a state of being. Are you married or are you single?
Correct Example: I am married.
to be married (to someone)- Also state of being. But who is married to you?
Correct Example: I am married to Sam.
Conclusion- When you use to marry or to get married, think about the wedding. When you use to be married, think about the person's life now.
to marry (someone)- this is the general verb. It is the time when people come together as husband and wife. Do not say I married with someone. It is not correct. And do not say I married to someone. It is also incorrect.
Correct example: I married Sam 3 years ago.
to get married- this talks about the time two people got married. It makes us think of the wedding.
Correct example: I got married.
to get married to (someone)- We think of who was married in the wedding. Do not say I got married with someone. It is incorrect.
Correct example: I got married to Sam.
to get married in (someplace)- We think of where the wedding took place.
Correct Example: I got married in Hawaii.
to be married- This means a state of being. Are you married or are you single?
Correct Example: I am married.
to be married (to someone)- Also state of being. But who is married to you?
Correct Example: I am married to Sam.
Conclusion- When you use to marry or to get married, think about the wedding. When you use to be married, think about the person's life now.
Note:When I see "marry with" I automatically assume that person is a non-native speaker of English, because no one else ever uses that phrasing in the sense of being married to someone.
I have seen it where the 'with' is introducing a prepositional phrase (We will marry with parental consent) but NEVER followed by the person (I am married with Tom). That is considered an incorrect usage (regardless of whether or not it is actually grammatically correct).
Check Your Understanding
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of marry. Check your answers in the comments of the post.
1. Is Jim single or married? He___________ .
2. Who did he marry? He____________ Susan.
3. Where did he get married? He_________________ London.
4. Is Anna single? No, she____________ .
5. Who is Anna married to? She_______________ Juan.
6. What is Jolene going to do this Saturday? She is going to_________ Mike.
14/12/10
Some of The commonest phrasal verbs in English
These are some of the commonest phrasal verbs in English add them to your spoken English to sound more natural in English!!
Bring up – means to mention something. You can tell your colleague, for example: “They didn’t bring up any of our suggestions in the meeting”.
Carry on – this phrasal verb is very similar to “go on”. Just like “go on” it means “to continue” but it’s usually used in phrases like “Let’s carry on” or “You can carry on without me”.
Chase up – a very handy way of saying “to find, to seek out”. For instance, you’ve been assigned a particular task, but some necessary files are missing. You can say “I’ll chase up those files” meaning you’ll go and see where those files are. You can also chase up a person – “I’ll chase up Frank because I need his help with homework and no-one else has an idea how to do it!”
Come across – to find something by chance or to encounter something unexpectedly. If you found an interesting article online and you’re telling your friend about it, you can say: “You know, I came across this article online where they’ve done research on…”
Come up with – this is a very useful phrasal verb if you usually find it hard to describe the fact when someone has told you about a new plan or a good idea. You might be struggling with phrases like – “He created a good plan” or “She produced a brand new solution” or even – “I devised a new idea on how to…” Native English speakers would simply say “She came up with a brand new solution” so you can start using this phrasal verb!
Fall apart – describes when something falls into pieces. Let’s say you’re wrapping an awkward package and you’re struggling with it. You can say “The whole thing just keeps falling apart, I can’t wrap it; can you help me?” This is another phrasal verb foreigners don’t normally use and if you start using it on similar occasions you’ll find it much easier to describe the situation!
Get along – means to have a good relationship with someone. You can say “Do you get along with Mary from the accounting?” if you want to ask that person if he/she is in good terms with Mary. Another sample sentence - “I don’t get along with Mark, I didn’t like him from the very first day I met him!”
Get away with – means to avoid being punished for not having done something or for breaching rules. A typical phrase you can start using right away is “Did you think you can get away with this?” if you’ve caught someone having done something you’re very unhappy about.
Get over – if you can’t accept something that’s happened in your life and you can’t stop thinking about it, you can say - “It’s very hard for me to get over it.” And if you want to lift someone’s spirits and say that it’s not such a big deal after all, you can say: “Common, get over it, it’s not as bad as it looks!”
Give up – use this phrasal verb when speaking about resolution you’ve stopped pursuing or expectations that are most likely to remain unfulfilled. “I gave up my New Year’s diet; I just couldn’t stick to it.” “I’ve given up hope of getting a better job.”
Go on! – This is a typical way of telling someone to begin a particular action or resume doing something. If you can’t wait on someone to start telling an interesting story, you’d exclaim in excitement – “Go on, go on!” You can also use “go on” if you, for instance, are writing down figures your co-worker is calling out for you. Every time you’re ready to put the next figure down you can use the phrasal verb “go on” to let your partner know that he can call out the next figure.
Hold on! – Literally “hold on” means to hold on to something. Most common use of this phrasal verb, however, is when you want to tell someone to stop doing something or to wait until you’re ready to proceed with the initial action. Foreigners usually use “Stop!” and “Wait!” instead; “hold on” is more natural in spoken English.
Look after – means “to take care of” and is used a lot in communications between supervisors and employees at work. Typically your boss would ask you “Can you look after this order for me?” So if you want to sound more natural and friendly, don’t say things like “I’m responsible for this customer”. “I’m looking after this customer” is the best way of putting it.
Look up – to find something in a phone book, on the Internet or any other reference media. This is a very handy phrasal verb to use in sentences like “Can you look up their address on the Net?”
Make out – to recognize, to distinguish details of something. “I just couldn’t make out what she was saying!” – you can say a phrase like this if the person in question spoke too fast, or with a distinct accent, or too quiet. Another sample sentence – “I can’t make out these details; can you help me with this, please?”
Pull over – if you drive a car, you can use this phrasal verb to describe an action of driving to the side of the road in order to stop. Typical application of this phrasal verb – “Can you pull over at the next petrol station?” Foreigners would most likely say “to stop at…” so if you start using “pull over” you’ll sound more natural when speaking English!
Put down – simply means “to write down.” “Hold on, I’ll put it down, let me just find a piece of paper!”
Put off – this is an informal way of saying “to postpone”, “to do later”. “I don’t want to clean my house today, I’ll put it off till tomorrow” would be a perfect example of this phrasal verb in use.
Turn up – means to arrive. You can inquire about your friend by asking “Has Michael turned up today?” if you haven’t seen him and you’re wondering if he’s come to work or school today at all.
Watch out! – you can use this phrasal verb if something endangers someone else’s safety and you want to bring that person’s attention to that object or activity. Foreigners usually use unarticulated sounds instead – like “Ahh!” or “Ohh!” simply because on occasions when a super-fast reaction is needed they can’t think of a fitting word or phrase to say.
This is the spanish translation for the verbs / A continuación se muestra la traducción al español de estos 20 verbos compuestos:
Bring up - plantear / sacar un tema
Carry on - continuar
Chase up - hacer un seguimiento
Come across - dar con / encontrase con
Come up with - proponer una idea o solución
Fall apart - desbaratar / venir abajo
Get along - llevarse bien con
Get away with - salir impune
Get over - recuperarse de / superar
Give up - darse por vencido
Go on - continuar
Hold on - decir a alguien que espere o pare
Look after - cuidar a / ocuparse de
Look up - buscar
Make out - entender / distinguir
Pull over - hacerse a un lado / detenerse
Put down - anotar / apuntar
Put off - aplazar
Turn up - acudir / presentarse / asistir
Watch out! - ¡Cuidado!
Carry on – this phrasal verb is very similar to “go on”. Just like “go on” it means “to continue” but it’s usually used in phrases like “Let’s carry on” or “You can carry on without me”.
Chase up – a very handy way of saying “to find, to seek out”. For instance, you’ve been assigned a particular task, but some necessary files are missing. You can say “I’ll chase up those files” meaning you’ll go and see where those files are. You can also chase up a person – “I’ll chase up Frank because I need his help with homework and no-one else has an idea how to do it!”
Come across – to find something by chance or to encounter something unexpectedly. If you found an interesting article online and you’re telling your friend about it, you can say: “You know, I came across this article online where they’ve done research on…”
Come up with – this is a very useful phrasal verb if you usually find it hard to describe the fact when someone has told you about a new plan or a good idea. You might be struggling with phrases like – “He created a good plan” or “She produced a brand new solution” or even – “I devised a new idea on how to…” Native English speakers would simply say “She came up with a brand new solution” so you can start using this phrasal verb!
Fall apart – describes when something falls into pieces. Let’s say you’re wrapping an awkward package and you’re struggling with it. You can say “The whole thing just keeps falling apart, I can’t wrap it; can you help me?” This is another phrasal verb foreigners don’t normally use and if you start using it on similar occasions you’ll find it much easier to describe the situation!
Get along – means to have a good relationship with someone. You can say “Do you get along with Mary from the accounting?” if you want to ask that person if he/she is in good terms with Mary. Another sample sentence - “I don’t get along with Mark, I didn’t like him from the very first day I met him!”
Get away with – means to avoid being punished for not having done something or for breaching rules. A typical phrase you can start using right away is “Did you think you can get away with this?” if you’ve caught someone having done something you’re very unhappy about.
Get over – if you can’t accept something that’s happened in your life and you can’t stop thinking about it, you can say - “It’s very hard for me to get over it.” And if you want to lift someone’s spirits and say that it’s not such a big deal after all, you can say: “Common, get over it, it’s not as bad as it looks!”
Give up – use this phrasal verb when speaking about resolution you’ve stopped pursuing or expectations that are most likely to remain unfulfilled. “I gave up my New Year’s diet; I just couldn’t stick to it.” “I’ve given up hope of getting a better job.”
Go on! – This is a typical way of telling someone to begin a particular action or resume doing something. If you can’t wait on someone to start telling an interesting story, you’d exclaim in excitement – “Go on, go on!” You can also use “go on” if you, for instance, are writing down figures your co-worker is calling out for you. Every time you’re ready to put the next figure down you can use the phrasal verb “go on” to let your partner know that he can call out the next figure.
Hold on! – Literally “hold on” means to hold on to something. Most common use of this phrasal verb, however, is when you want to tell someone to stop doing something or to wait until you’re ready to proceed with the initial action. Foreigners usually use “Stop!” and “Wait!” instead; “hold on” is more natural in spoken English.
Look after – means “to take care of” and is used a lot in communications between supervisors and employees at work. Typically your boss would ask you “Can you look after this order for me?” So if you want to sound more natural and friendly, don’t say things like “I’m responsible for this customer”. “I’m looking after this customer” is the best way of putting it.
Look up – to find something in a phone book, on the Internet or any other reference media. This is a very handy phrasal verb to use in sentences like “Can you look up their address on the Net?”
Make out – to recognize, to distinguish details of something. “I just couldn’t make out what she was saying!” – you can say a phrase like this if the person in question spoke too fast, or with a distinct accent, or too quiet. Another sample sentence – “I can’t make out these details; can you help me with this, please?”
Pull over – if you drive a car, you can use this phrasal verb to describe an action of driving to the side of the road in order to stop. Typical application of this phrasal verb – “Can you pull over at the next petrol station?” Foreigners would most likely say “to stop at…” so if you start using “pull over” you’ll sound more natural when speaking English!
Put down – simply means “to write down.” “Hold on, I’ll put it down, let me just find a piece of paper!”
Put off – this is an informal way of saying “to postpone”, “to do later”. “I don’t want to clean my house today, I’ll put it off till tomorrow” would be a perfect example of this phrasal verb in use.
Turn up – means to arrive. You can inquire about your friend by asking “Has Michael turned up today?” if you haven’t seen him and you’re wondering if he’s come to work or school today at all.
Watch out! – you can use this phrasal verb if something endangers someone else’s safety and you want to bring that person’s attention to that object or activity. Foreigners usually use unarticulated sounds instead – like “Ahh!” or “Ohh!” simply because on occasions when a super-fast reaction is needed they can’t think of a fitting word or phrase to say.
This is the spanish translation for the verbs / A continuación se muestra la traducción al español de estos 20 verbos compuestos:
Bring up - plantear / sacar un tema
Carry on - continuar
Chase up - hacer un seguimiento
Come across - dar con / encontrase con
Come up with - proponer una idea o solución
Fall apart - desbaratar / venir abajo
Get along - llevarse bien con
Get away with - salir impune
Get over - recuperarse de / superar
Give up - darse por vencido
Go on - continuar
Hold on - decir a alguien que espere o pare
Look after - cuidar a / ocuparse de
Look up - buscar
Make out - entender / distinguir
Pull over - hacerse a un lado / detenerse
Put down - anotar / apuntar
Put off - aplazar
Turn up - acudir / presentarse / asistir
Watch out! - ¡Cuidado!
Source: aprenderinglésonline.
12/12/10
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES ADVANCED (bachillerato)
Practice all the types of conditionals you can learn in English with this worksheet , the exercises provide the keys, but please, don't cheat!! ( Estos ejercicios de condicionales son algo difíciles, pero cuando terminéis con ellos, dominaréis las condicionales)
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
10/12/10
PASSIVES PRACTICE ADVANCED LEVEL / EJERCICIOS DE PASIVA AVANZADO
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE REALLY USEFUL FOR PRACTICING THE PASSIVES, I HOPE YOU LIKE THEM ALL!!
Passive Practice
.
Passive Practice
.
9/12/10
TRAFFIC JAM OR TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK: CARAVANA O EMBOTELLAMIENTO
Almost everyday in busy cities we can hear that there are traffic jams in the centre and drivers should choose an optimal way of getting to work or home in the evening. The word "traffic jam" is used very frequently to speak about road conjestion by vehicles.
Sometimes there are jams which stretch for several kilometres and may result in spending the whole day there because traffic does not move at all standing still, in this case we use the words traffic gridlock. A jam is where too much traffic is causing heavy congestion and movement is very slow. Gridlock is when traffic has reached such a state that no movement at all is possible.
To sum up, A jam is where too much traffic is causing heavy congestion and movement is very slow. Gridlock is when traffic has reached such a state that no movement at all is possible.
2/12/10
Desire Sentences (Oraciones desiderativas)
How to express desire with WISH ?
Wish + Past Simple = (se traduce como :Ojalá o desearía + subjuntivo)
SOME WISHES ...
I wish I didn't have to get up so early. (ojalá no me tuviera que levantar tan temprano)
I wish I knew how to be successful.
I wish I had an older brother or sister.
I wish I went to bed earlier last night
I wish I were someone else.
I wish I lived somewhere else.
I wish I understood people better.
I wish I were still a child.
I wish I had more time to study English.
I wish I lived in another era.
I wish my parents didn't annoy me so much.
I wish I could change my life.
I wish I were more confident.
I wish I was never impolite.
I wish I were a parent.
I wish I had more skills.
I wish I didn't have to get up so early. (ojalá no me tuviera que levantar tan temprano)
I wish I knew how to be successful.
I wish I had an older brother or sister.
I wish I went to bed earlier last night
I wish I were someone else.
I wish I lived somewhere else.
I wish I understood people better.
I wish I were still a child.
I wish I had more time to study English.
I wish I lived in another era.
I wish my parents didn't annoy me so much.
I wish I could change my life.
I wish I were more confident.
I wish I was never impolite.
I wish I were a parent.
I wish I had more skills.
TASK: Propose your wishes in the comments section of this post and translate some of them into your language !!
1/12/10
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING / MUCHO RUIDO Y POCAS NUECES
Plot Overview, (RESUMEN DE LA OBRA):
Leonato, a kindly, respectable nobleman, lives in the idyllic Italian town of Messina. Leonato shares his house with his lovely young daughter, Hero, his playful, clever niece, Beatrice, and his elderly brother, Antonio. As the play begins, Leonato prepares to welcome some friends home from a war. The friends include Don Pedro, a prince who is a close friend of Leonato, and two fellow soldiers: Claudio, a well-respected young nobleman, and Benedick, a clever man who constantly makes witty jokes, often at the expense of his friends. Don John, Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother, is part of the crowd as well. Don John is sullen and bitter, and makes trouble for the others.
When the soldiers arrive at Leonato’s home, Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero. Meanwhile, Benedick and Beatrice resume the war of witty insults that they have carried on with each other in the past. Claudio and Hero pledge their love to one another and decide to be married. To pass the time in the week before the wedding, the lovers and their friends decide to play a game. They want to get Beatrice and Benedick, who are clearly meant for each other, to stop arguing and fall in love. Their tricks prove successful, and Beatrice and Benedick soon fall secretly in love with each other.
But Don John has decided to disrupt everyone’s happiness. He has his companion Borachio make love to Margaret, Hero’s serving woman, at Hero’s window in the darkness of the night, and he brings Don Pedro and Claudio to watch. Believing that he has seen Hero being unfaithful to him, the enraged Claudio humiliates Hero by suddenly accusing her of lechery on the day of their wedding and abandoning her at the altar. Hero’s stricken family members decide to pretend that she died suddenly of shock and grief and to hide her away while they wait for the truth about her innocence to come to light. In the aftermath of the rejection, Benedick and Beatrice finally confess their love to one another. Fortunately, the night watchmen overhear Borachio bragging about his crime. Dogberry and Verges, the heads of the local police, ultimately arrest both Borachio and Conrad, another of Don John’s followers. Everyone learns that Hero is really innocent, and Claudio, who believes she is dead, grieves for her.
Leonato tells Claudio that, as punishment, he wants Claudio to tell everybody in the city how innocent Hero was. He also wants Claudio to marry Leonato’s “niece”—a girl who, he says, looks much like the dead Hero. Claudio goes to church with the others, preparing to marry the mysterious, masked woman he thinks is Hero’s cousin. When Hero reveals herself as the masked woman, Claudio is overwhelmed with joy. Benedick then asks Beatrice if she will marry him, and after some arguing they agree. The joyful lovers all have a merry dance before they celebrate their double wedding.
QUIZ / CHECK YOUR COMPREHENSION OF THE STORY:
1. Who refuses to marry in the beginning of the play?
(A) Hero
(B) Don Pedro and Don John
(C) Benedick and Beatrice
(D) Hero and Claudio
2. Where and when does the play take place?
(A) England, fourteenth century
(B) Florence, fifteenth century
(C) Sicily, sixteenth century
(D) Paris, seventeenth century
3. How does Claudio woo Hero?
(A) He doesn’t; Don Pedro does
(B) He writes her a sonnet
(C) He serenades her window at night
(D) He asks her father to tell her that he loves her
4. At the beginning of the play, what is Beatrice’s relationship to Benedick?
(A) Lover
(B) Enemy
(C) Wife
(D) Sister-in-law
5. Who is Leonato?
(A) Beatrice’s father
(B) Don Pedro and Don John’s father
(C) Claudio’s father
(D) Hero’s father
6. What does Don John want?
(A) To marry Hero
(B) To make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love
(C) To ruin Claudio
(D) To kill Dogberry and Verges
7. Who carries out Don John’s plan?
(A) Balthasar and Antonio
(B) Dogberry and Verges
(C) Claudio and Don Pedro
(D) Borachio and Margaret
8. What reason does Don John give for his sullenness?
(A) Too many people have wronged him
(B) It’s in his nature
(C) It’s an act to gain sympathy
(D) He thinks that noblewomen are attracted to brooding types
9. Who is said to be “an ass”?
(A) Dogberry
(B) Borachio
(C) Verges
(D) Conrad
10. Why does Claudio reject Hero at the altar?
(A) She smells like a rotten orange
(B) He thinks she lied to him about her wealth
(C) He thinks she cheated on him and lost her virginity
(D) He decides he just isn’t ready to get married
11. Who discovers Don John’s evil plot?
(A) Benedick
(B) Margaret
(C) Leonato’s household
(D) The Watch
12. What does Leonato’s household do to punish Claudio for shaming Hero?
(A) He pretends Hero is dead and challenges Claudio to a duel
(B) He drives Claudio out of town
(C) He violently beats Claudio
(D) Absolutely nothing at all
13. Which two characters write love sonnets?
(A) Claudio and Don Pedro
(B) Claudio and Hero
(C) Beatrice and Benedick
(D) Don Pedro and Beatrice
14. To whom does Don Pedro propose marriage?
(A) Hero
(B) Ursula
(C) Beatrice
(D) Margaret
15. Why is Margaret mistaken for Hero?
(A) She is wearing a mask
(B) She is wearing Hero’s makeup
(C) She is wearing a red sash
(D) She is wearing Hero’s clothes
16. Which character is sad at the end of the play?
(A) Don Pedro
(B) Don John
(C) Benedick
(D) Hero
17. What makes Claudio realize that he wrongly accused Hero?
(A) A note that she left him
(B) His utter remorse at having publicly shamed her
(C) Leonato’s harsh reprimands
(D) Borachio’s confession of Don John’s plot
18. When was this play probably first performed?
(A) 1850s
(B) 1580s
(C) 1623
(D) 1599
19. How do Don Pedro and Claudio make Benedick fall in love with Beatrice?
(A) They convince him of her virtues
(B) They have him overhear their conversation in which they assert that she is in love with him
(C) They force him to spend one evening locked in a room alone with her
(D) They insult, humiliate, and belittle him until he agrees to love her
20. Have Beatrice and Benedick courted before?
(A) Yes, but Benedick left her
(B) No, because they’re enemies
(C) Yes, but Beatrice left him
(D) They had a blind date when they were younger, but neither of them was interested
21. Why is it necessary for Hero to seem to die?
(A) Because she is very tired and worn out
(B) Because she is pregnant
(C) Because her reputation has been publicly tarnished
(D) Because she cheated on Claudio
22. What term best describes Dogberry’s verbal comedy?
(A) Slapstick
(B) Malapropism
(C) Witty banter
(D) Hyperbole
23. What is Balthasar’s song in Act II, scene iii about?
(A) The infidelity of men
(B) The infidelity of women
(C) The beauty of love
(D) The wind and the rain
24. What does the “savage bull” symbolize (I.i.213; V.iv.43)?
(A) Happiness in marriage
(B) A world without law
(C) A soldier’s honor
(D) The man unwilling to marry
25. Who is the most socially powerful person in the play?
(A) Leonato
(B) Beatrice
(C) Don Pedro
(D) Dogberry
KEYS: 1C,2C,3A,4B,5D,6C,7D,8B,9A,10C,11D,12A,13C,14C,15D,16A,17D,18D,19B,20A,21C,22B,23A,24D,25C
Leonato, a kindly, respectable nobleman, lives in the idyllic Italian town of Messina. Leonato shares his house with his lovely young daughter, Hero, his playful, clever niece, Beatrice, and his elderly brother, Antonio. As the play begins, Leonato prepares to welcome some friends home from a war. The friends include Don Pedro, a prince who is a close friend of Leonato, and two fellow soldiers: Claudio, a well-respected young nobleman, and Benedick, a clever man who constantly makes witty jokes, often at the expense of his friends. Don John, Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother, is part of the crowd as well. Don John is sullen and bitter, and makes trouble for the others.
When the soldiers arrive at Leonato’s home, Claudio quickly falls in love with Hero. Meanwhile, Benedick and Beatrice resume the war of witty insults that they have carried on with each other in the past. Claudio and Hero pledge their love to one another and decide to be married. To pass the time in the week before the wedding, the lovers and their friends decide to play a game. They want to get Beatrice and Benedick, who are clearly meant for each other, to stop arguing and fall in love. Their tricks prove successful, and Beatrice and Benedick soon fall secretly in love with each other.
But Don John has decided to disrupt everyone’s happiness. He has his companion Borachio make love to Margaret, Hero’s serving woman, at Hero’s window in the darkness of the night, and he brings Don Pedro and Claudio to watch. Believing that he has seen Hero being unfaithful to him, the enraged Claudio humiliates Hero by suddenly accusing her of lechery on the day of their wedding and abandoning her at the altar. Hero’s stricken family members decide to pretend that she died suddenly of shock and grief and to hide her away while they wait for the truth about her innocence to come to light. In the aftermath of the rejection, Benedick and Beatrice finally confess their love to one another. Fortunately, the night watchmen overhear Borachio bragging about his crime. Dogberry and Verges, the heads of the local police, ultimately arrest both Borachio and Conrad, another of Don John’s followers. Everyone learns that Hero is really innocent, and Claudio, who believes she is dead, grieves for her.
Leonato tells Claudio that, as punishment, he wants Claudio to tell everybody in the city how innocent Hero was. He also wants Claudio to marry Leonato’s “niece”—a girl who, he says, looks much like the dead Hero. Claudio goes to church with the others, preparing to marry the mysterious, masked woman he thinks is Hero’s cousin. When Hero reveals herself as the masked woman, Claudio is overwhelmed with joy. Benedick then asks Beatrice if she will marry him, and after some arguing they agree. The joyful lovers all have a merry dance before they celebrate their double wedding.
QUIZ / CHECK YOUR COMPREHENSION OF THE STORY:
1. Who refuses to marry in the beginning of the play?
(A) Hero
(B) Don Pedro and Don John
(C) Benedick and Beatrice
(D) Hero and Claudio
2. Where and when does the play take place?
(A) England, fourteenth century
(B) Florence, fifteenth century
(C) Sicily, sixteenth century
(D) Paris, seventeenth century
3. How does Claudio woo Hero?
(A) He doesn’t; Don Pedro does
(B) He writes her a sonnet
(C) He serenades her window at night
(D) He asks her father to tell her that he loves her
4. At the beginning of the play, what is Beatrice’s relationship to Benedick?
(A) Lover
(B) Enemy
(C) Wife
(D) Sister-in-law
5. Who is Leonato?
(A) Beatrice’s father
(B) Don Pedro and Don John’s father
(C) Claudio’s father
(D) Hero’s father
6. What does Don John want?
(A) To marry Hero
(B) To make Beatrice and Benedick fall in love
(C) To ruin Claudio
(D) To kill Dogberry and Verges
7. Who carries out Don John’s plan?
(A) Balthasar and Antonio
(B) Dogberry and Verges
(C) Claudio and Don Pedro
(D) Borachio and Margaret
8. What reason does Don John give for his sullenness?
(A) Too many people have wronged him
(B) It’s in his nature
(C) It’s an act to gain sympathy
(D) He thinks that noblewomen are attracted to brooding types
9. Who is said to be “an ass”?
(A) Dogberry
(B) Borachio
(C) Verges
(D) Conrad
10. Why does Claudio reject Hero at the altar?
(A) She smells like a rotten orange
(B) He thinks she lied to him about her wealth
(C) He thinks she cheated on him and lost her virginity
(D) He decides he just isn’t ready to get married
11. Who discovers Don John’s evil plot?
(A) Benedick
(B) Margaret
(C) Leonato’s household
(D) The Watch
12. What does Leonato’s household do to punish Claudio for shaming Hero?
(A) He pretends Hero is dead and challenges Claudio to a duel
(B) He drives Claudio out of town
(C) He violently beats Claudio
(D) Absolutely nothing at all
13. Which two characters write love sonnets?
(A) Claudio and Don Pedro
(B) Claudio and Hero
(C) Beatrice and Benedick
(D) Don Pedro and Beatrice
14. To whom does Don Pedro propose marriage?
(A) Hero
(B) Ursula
(C) Beatrice
(D) Margaret
15. Why is Margaret mistaken for Hero?
(A) She is wearing a mask
(B) She is wearing Hero’s makeup
(C) She is wearing a red sash
(D) She is wearing Hero’s clothes
16. Which character is sad at the end of the play?
(A) Don Pedro
(B) Don John
(C) Benedick
(D) Hero
17. What makes Claudio realize that he wrongly accused Hero?
(A) A note that she left him
(B) His utter remorse at having publicly shamed her
(C) Leonato’s harsh reprimands
(D) Borachio’s confession of Don John’s plot
18. When was this play probably first performed?
(A) 1850s
(B) 1580s
(C) 1623
(D) 1599
19. How do Don Pedro and Claudio make Benedick fall in love with Beatrice?
(A) They convince him of her virtues
(B) They have him overhear their conversation in which they assert that she is in love with him
(C) They force him to spend one evening locked in a room alone with her
(D) They insult, humiliate, and belittle him until he agrees to love her
20. Have Beatrice and Benedick courted before?
(A) Yes, but Benedick left her
(B) No, because they’re enemies
(C) Yes, but Beatrice left him
(D) They had a blind date when they were younger, but neither of them was interested
21. Why is it necessary for Hero to seem to die?
(A) Because she is very tired and worn out
(B) Because she is pregnant
(C) Because her reputation has been publicly tarnished
(D) Because she cheated on Claudio
22. What term best describes Dogberry’s verbal comedy?
(A) Slapstick
(B) Malapropism
(C) Witty banter
(D) Hyperbole
23. What is Balthasar’s song in Act II, scene iii about?
(A) The infidelity of men
(B) The infidelity of women
(C) The beauty of love
(D) The wind and the rain
24. What does the “savage bull” symbolize (I.i.213; V.iv.43)?
(A) Happiness in marriage
(B) A world without law
(C) A soldier’s honor
(D) The man unwilling to marry
25. Who is the most socially powerful person in the play?
(A) Leonato
(B) Beatrice
(C) Don Pedro
(D) Dogberry
KEYS: 1C,2C,3A,4B,5D,6C,7D,8B,9A,10C,11D,12A,13C,14C,15D,16A,17D,18D,19B,20A,21C,22B,23A,24D,25C
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)
