CONDITIONALS

EXERCISES

Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentences below. Once you have decided on your answer, click on the arrow to check your answer.

1. If I -- had stayed (stay) in Barlinek, I would have found a new girlfriend.

2. He would do more to help the poor if he -- were (be) the Pope.

3. If he goes to London on a business trip, he often -- visits (visit) Soho.

4. We won't go to the film unless they -- arrive (arrive) in the next 5 minutes.

5. She -- would have bought (buy) a new car if she had had the money.

6. If Yoko were me, she -- would go (go) to Manchester immediately.

7. They will talk to Jacek if he -- comes (come).

8. Bożena comes to work 30 minutes late if her child -- misses (miss) the bus to school.

9. If Peter -- had thought (think) twice, he wouldn't have made such a stupid mistake.

10. Kasia -- will become (become) a university lecturer if she studies hard.

11. If they -- had known (know) all the facts, they would have found the defendant guilty.

12. Unless you -- hurry up (hurry up), we will never arrive on time.

13. If I were in charge, I -- would change (change) the standard business routines.

14. He takes his daughter out to dinner, if she -- comes (come) to town.

15. If I hadn't known better, I -- would have trusted (trust) him.

FOR or SINCE

Exercise # 1

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

I have studied Russian......

1. Answer for seven months.

2. Answer since June.

3. Answer since the beginning of last year.

4. Answer for about 20 minutes!

5. Answer since I was a child in play school.

6. Answer for ten months.

7. Answer for a long time.

8. Answer for five days.

9. Answer since I was 17 years old.

10. Answer since two years ago.

11. Answer for a year.

12. Answer for eleven days.

13. Answer since 1999.

14. Answer since I came to Ireland.

15. Answer for 2 hours a day for three years.

Exercise # 2

Make sentences using "for" or "since".

Example: How long have you been studying English?

I have been studying English since 1999.

1. How long have you lived in Poland? (three years)

   Answer I have lived in Poland for three years.

2. How long has Joanna been a nurse? (June)

   Answer She has been a nurse since June.

3. How long has Simon known Hania? (1999)

   Answer He has known him since 1999.

4. How long have they studied Norwegian? (a few months)

   Answer They have studied Norwegian for a few months.

5. How long has Piotr played golf? (a long time)

   Answer He has played golf for a long time.

6. How long has he worn glasses? (1985)

   Answer He has worn glasses since 1985.

7. How long has Marcin played the clarinet? (high school)

   Answer He has played the clarinet since high school.

8. How long will you be on holiday? (three weeks)

   Answer I will be on holiday for three weeks.

9. How long have you driven a car? (Christmas)

   Answer I have driven a car since Christmas.

10. How long has Simon had his new computer? (last month)

    Answer He has had his new computer since last month.

11. How long has he owned the book shop? (ten years)

    Answer He has owned the book shop for ten years.

12. How long has Radek played badminton? (several years)

    Answer He has played badminton for several years.

13. How long have your parents been in town? (Friday)

    Answer They have been in town since Friday.

14. How long has Mr. Jones lived on South Street? (many years)

    Answer He has lived on South Street for many years.

15. How long has the bank been closed. (four o’clock)

    Answer It has been closed since four o’clock.

PREPOSITIONS (on, it, by etc.)

Preposition Exercises 1

Test your knowledge of the prepositions in / at / to / nothing - showing place and movement. Choose either in, at, to, or nothing and click on the arrow to see you have answered correctly.

1. He lives -- in . . . . . . . Skwierzyna.

2. She went -- NOTHING home.

3. Marcin works -- in . . . . . . Gorzów Wlkp.

4. He went -- to . . . . . . . his friend's house.

5. She arrived -- in . . . . . . . Manchester for the celebrations.

6. I'm going to stay -- at . . . . . . . . home this weekend.

7. Joanna works -- at . . . . . . . . the hospital.

8. Why don't we go -- to . . . . . . . . the movies tonight?

9. I'm going to see Hania -- in . . . . . . . . France this summer.

10. I arrived -- at . . . . . . . . work early this morning.

11. She came home -- NOTHING early.

12. We stayed -- at . . . . . . . . the Mieszko Hotel.

13. They visited -- NOTHING England last summer.

14. She's going to travel -- in . . . . . . . . . Finland this summer.

15. I'll be -- at . . . . . . . . . school later today.

Preposition Exercises 2

Test you knowledge of the prepositions for / while / during. Choose either for, while or during and click on the arrow to see you have answered correctly.

1. He's been working -- for . . . three weeks.

2. I fell asleep -- during the film.

3. Did you see Donata -- during your holiday?

4. We talked -- for . . . . . an hour.

5. He watched TV -- while I cooked.

6. -- During our stay in London, we visited a lot of museums.

7. What did you do -- while you were in London?

8. I think I need to study Polish -- for . . . . . a few months before I go there.

9. I came up with a great idea -- while I was thinking about my class.

10. They drove through the countryside -- while they were staying in France.

11. He was out of work -- for . . . . . six months before he found a new job.

12. I broke my finger -- while I was playing squash.

13. Please, don't interrupt the teacher -- while he is speaking.

14. Magda broke into tears -- during the film.

15. Could you hold on -- for . . . . . a few moments?

Preposition Exercises 3

Test you knowledge of the prepositions in / at / on - showing time and date. Choose either in, at or on and click on the arrow to see you have answered correctly.

1. Let's meet -- at seven o'clock.

2. He was born -- in July.

3. I went there -- in 1998.

4. She'll be at work -- on Thursday.

5. We met -- on Christmas day.

6. They drove to Barlinek -- on September 15th.

7. We arrived in this country -- in September.

8. I love to go shopping -- at Christmas time.

9. We get up early -- in the morning.

10. Do you dream -- at night?

11. What do you like doing -- at weekends?

12. He's working on his homework -- at the moment.

13. I lived in Holland -- in the 1990s.

14. I'll see you -- in a few weeks.

15. We like going to the cinema -- on Fridays.

Preposition Exercises 4

1 - She wasn't short, she wasn't tall; she was ___________ of average height.

2 - What are you going to buy Hania ___________ for her birthday?

3 - The police are looking ____________ for a tall, black man who was seen standing outside the bank just before the robbery took place.

4 - The teacher asked the class to do the exercise ____________ at the bottom of page 12.

5 - As a child I was always ashamed _____________ of my parents because they were uneducated.

6 - I was always very good _____________ at Geography when I was at school.

7 - My uncle specializes in ___________ sociolinguistics . .

8 - We arrived ____________ in Gorzów at 3.30 in the morning.

9 - I didn't see you __________ at the party on Saturday.

10 - There was a lot of coughing ____________ during the performance of Moniusko's 'Fairy Tale' symphony.

11 - He saw her as the most attractive woman ______________ in the world.

12 - Simon is completely useless ___________ at sports.

Bottom of Form

ENGLISH ARTICLES (a, an, the)

EXERCISE 1

(Pre-Intermediate)

Fill in the gaps. Click on the arrow to see the answer. Don't look back at the original text!

I am from Winchester, Hampshire. Winchester is -- a city in -- the United Kingdom. I live in -- a town called -- 0 Taunton which is on -- the River Tone. I live in -- a house in -- a quiet street in the countryside. -- The street is called "Hudson Street" and -- the house is old - more than 100 years old! I am -- an English lecturer at -- a college near -- the centre of -- the town. I like -- 0 books, music and taking -- 0 photographs. I usually have -- 0 lunch at college. I usually go -- 0 home by -- 0 car. We have all kinds of food in -- 0 England. I like -- 0 Polish food very much. Sometimes, I go to -- a Polish restaurant in Bath. -- The restaurant is called "Magda's". -- 0 Polish food is delicious!

EXERCISE 2

(Elementary / Pre-Intermediate)

a, an, the, zero

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. Robert and Jessica went to ___ party last night.
   Answer a

2. Can you tell me how to get to ___ cinema from here?
   Answer a OR the

3. ___ college is closed today.
   Answer The

4. Gregory is one of ___ strangest people I know.
   Answer the

5. I recommend you try ___ tomato soup at this restaurant.
   Answer the

6. ___ beer is good for you.
   Answer (nothing)

7. Would you like to see ___ film?
   Answer a OR the

8. ___ apple a day keeps ___ doctor away.
   Answer An/the

9. I can't believe I failed ___ yesterday's test!
   Answer (nothing)

10. Do you have ___ dictionary that I can borrow?
    Answer a

EXERCISE 3

(Elementary / Pre-Intermediate)

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. There were many dogs in the park. One dog was ___ Dalmatian.
   Answer a

2. Pandas and ___ tigers are both endangered animals.
   Answer nothing

3. Magda is wearing ___ blue dress with red shoes
   Answer a

4. Bornholm is ___ island in the Baltic Sea.
   Answer an

5. Christmas comes once ___ year.
   Answer a

6. ___ owl is __ bird.
   Answer An, a

7. The Severn is ___ river.
   Answer a

8. Jane went to the shop to buy ___ bread.
   Answer nothing

9. Hania broke ___ glass when she was washing-up.
   Answer a

10. Tom took ___ umbrella as it was raining heavilly.
    Answer an

    
    

EXERCISE 4

(Elementary / Pre-Intermediate)

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.

1. This is ___ easy question.
   Answer an

2. Stephen could you speak ___ little louder.
   Answer a

3. May I have your ___ phone number?
   Answer (nothing)

4. I have never seen ___ UFO.
   Answer a

5. May I ask you ___ question?
   Answer a / the

6. Astrid is ___ best teacher in our school.
   Answer the

7. What is ___ name of the next station?
   Answer the

8. My girlfriend has ___ my car today.
   Answer (nothing)

9. I went to ___ sea during my summer holiday.
   Answer the

10. Is there ___ cash machine near here?
    Answer a

EXERCISE 5

(Elementary)

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. This is Joanna. She's _____ doctor.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

2. Simon is ____ engineer.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer b

3. That's Sandra. She's ___ hairdresser.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

4. Sean Connery is ___ actor.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer b

5. John is ____ electrician.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer b

6. Mr. Sańko is ___ teacher.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

7. This is Shirley. She's ___ housewife.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

8. That's Mark. He's ___ police officer.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

9. I'm ____ student.
   a. a
   b. an
   Answer a

10. Kate Winslet is ____ actress.
    a. a
    b. an
    Answer b

George W. Bush - President of The United States of America

U Thant (the third Secretary-General of the United Nations)

Aung San Su Kyi

Wealthiest People In The World

Wealthiest Person (Warren Buffett)

Warren Buffett was born in Nebraska, Omaha USA on the 30th of August in 1930. He is one of the worlds richest men, with a fortune that is only surpassed by Bill Gates of Microsoft fame. He is considered one of the most successful investors of all time and has picked up the nickname of the "Oracle of Omaha".

Buffett was born to Leila and Howard Buffett and was the second of three children, he being the only boy. Buffett's father, Howard was a stockbroker and also became a member of congress. Warren Buffett showed early signs of being entrepreneurial through being involved in various business dealings as a child, including purchasing bottles of cola cheaply and selling them for a profit. He also made his first investment in the stock market when he was just 11 years old.

Buffett began studying at the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, but transferred to the University of Nebraska where he graduated. He then went on to the Columbia University to do a Masters in economics. This was where he met the influential value investor Benjamin Graham.

The young investor was very influenced by Benjamin Graham and went to work for him in his company "Graham-Newman". It was here that Warren Buffett developed many of his stock market investing skills that have now become legendary. Graham developed a method where investors could work out the intrinsic value of a company and make intelligent investing decisions by comparing the stock price to the intrinsic value.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Berkshire Hathaway
After Graham's retirement, Buffett returned to Omaha and began a limited investing fund partnership with a group of friends, family and associates. The "Buffett Partnerships Ltd" fund racked up amazing returns for its investors over a ten year period, with returns 10 times higher than the Dow Jones Industrial average for the same time. Buffett liquidated the fund and took control of the textile company Berkshire Hathaway.

It was a difficult time for the textile industry and Buffett eventually wound up Berkshire Hathaway's textile activities, but kept the name for Buffett's portfolio of companies and investments. The insurance industry was the first major area of success that Berkshire Hathaway had, with the funds used to acquire carefully selected investments each year. Major undervalued companies that Buffett took advantage of included "American Express", "Coca-Cola" "The Washington Post" and "Gillette". Berkshire Hathaway owns large holdings of each of the above major brand companies (more than 5% each).
Selected Berkshire subsidiary companies include:

• Borsheim's Fine Jewelry
• Acme Brick Company
• Buffalo NEWS, Buffalo NY
• Clayton Homes
• Fruit of the Loom
• GEICO Direct Auto Insurance
• General Re
• Helzberg Diamonds
  
• Nebraska Furniture Mart
• The Pampered Chef
• See's Candies
• United States Liability Insurance Group
  

Warren Buffett lives with his long time partner Astrid Menks in Omaha, USA. He was married to Susan Thompson up until her death from stroke in July 2004, but the couple were separated in 1977. They chose not to divorce and remained good friends and business associates. Buffett's late wife was set to inherit much of his fortune upon his death.

Warren Buffet Gives Away his Billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Buffett is a generous philanthropist and was giving more than $USD12 million each year to the Buffett Foundation (no called the "Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation"). His largest charitable donation was to be upon his death when he had planned to give 99% of his massive fortune to the foundation.

In June 2006 Buffett announced plans to give much of his wealth away while he is still living. The majority of the Buffett billions will go to the foundation of his Bridge partner and friend of fifteen years, Bill Gates.

Warren Buffett becomes the Richest Man in the World in 2008
Warren Buffett finally knocked Bill Gates out of first position to become the richest man in the world in 2008 on the world rich list according to the Forbes business magazine.

Love in a whole new way

Love is something that you don't find alot. Love is a beautiful feeling. Love is a new you. Love is like the stars in the clear dark sky, so perfect. When you find love don't let go, Love may be scary but don't let go. Love, Love, Love

LIFE

Staying in the prison
Looking at the wall
Crying in my heart
There is nothing in my life
I wait to pass away

Don't want it

The birds are flying away
Looking at them
They have wings to fly away
But there is none on my body
Sad and tired,
I am alone in my world

THE BOSSY WOMAN WHO LOVES LAMPS

So what do you want me to buy

The man asks the woman
Tearing a piece of paper from his notebook

Spring onions, garlic, red chili, and some
Interesting vegetables
The woman says
Interesting vegetables?
The man asks, what is that?
Well, don’t buy cabbages
That’s boring
Buy some carrots, the woman says
And some
Leeks
What? Bleaks? The man looks at her, puzzled
No, leeks, she repeats

Oh stop writing notes, just buy some beef
Or some lamps
The woman shouts

Xiaolu October 2005 London

SATURDAY MORNING I DECIDE TO FLY BACK TO CHINA TO MAKE SOME ART

By Xiaolu Guo

It was ten thirty
We decided not to argue anymore
So we left the bedroom
A place difficult for Zen
We rode bikes to see Gregory Crewdson
An American Photographer
In the White Cube

I see a mother with an obscure face
Blood on her daughter’s bed
You see a naked woman
In a well lit middle class living room
Her crotch bleeding
We see mirrors everywhere
Dislocation, disorder, disturbing, disguise
Beneath the roses
I picture Freud, Jung and Alfred Hitchcock
Lurking

We left to see another exhibition
Trees In Snow
By Abbas Kiarostami
It was just a few streets away
In Rivington Road
Twelve o’clock on Saturday
I was hungry
We never ate proper breakfast
When our love had problems
And Abbas was a very simple man
Trees in snow was in black and white
Pure and clean
Like a vegetarian meal

We rode back to Brick Lane
Shalimar - you can try the rest but we are the best
That was your favourite place
Steamed spinach for two pounds seventy five
You said western culture is dead
I said eastern culture is old
And that’s why I left Asia

Western artists are ill I said
Because there is too much psychology here
You frowned
OK, that's too much art in the morning
Let's have another Fish Masala

14th May, 2005, London

SUNDAY PRAYER OF AN INDIVIDUALIST

We had Chinese style fried shrimp that is the highlight of the day you know I am so worried we are going to run out of ideas how to spend a Sunday every weekend we fail this morning we already went to the market and we already went shopping and I already bought useless things toilet paper and sanitary towels and black pepper and we already got bored and we lie on the bed half dead half nervous you know I am bored of this life it's been so long we still love each other and actually we've only been together for two months people say three months is the real test that's how long the stupid passion lasts we reached the second month we still have another one to go I hope we still love each other oh I don’t know what love is so let’s cook something again cook something for dinner although we just had lunch people don’t do dinner right after lunch on Sundays especially after the fried shrimps at eleven thirty but I need to do something in the kitchen rather than lie on the bed so I cook some chicken and I put more ginger and garlic I think spices are good for England and good for our mood meanwhile I pray for the night to come soon and for tomorrow to come soon and as long as we can manage to survive until monday everything will be fine and on monday morning we will have no time to think about the purity of love and the blindness of love and the sorrow of love and the boredom of love and the fear of love we will survive and god save us god save the cowards god save the ones who are in doubt

Xiaolu Guo - London - June 13 2005