Skills Archives - PolygloTopia https://polyglotopia.com/category/skills/ English Learning EFL ESL Sat, 07 Sep 2024 22:17:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Barbie | Movie Songs Worksheet https://polyglotopia.com/barbie-movie-songs-worksheet/ https://polyglotopia.com/barbie-movie-songs-worksheet/#respond Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:01:40 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=989844 Practise listening with the songs "I'm Just Ken" and "What was I made for" from the Barbie movie!

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In the vibrant world of Barbie, where fashion, friendship, and fantasy converge, the iconic doll has become more than just a toy; she represents a cultural phenomenon that shapes the perceptions of generations. Two particular songs stand out because of their Oscar nomination and their potential to spark meaningful conversations about feminism and gender roles: “I’m Just Ken” interpreted by Ryan Gosling and Billie Eilish’s “What was I made for?”. That’s why we have chosen them for this article, which includes a gap fill activity, an ordering the stanzas task, as well as conversation questions on the themes of the songs. The worksheet is free and available in PDF version. You can download our free printable song worksheet or do the activities online. Happy listening!

"I'm Just Ken" - Listening Task

“I’m Just Ken” is a cry for attention, as he feels that he is always number two in Barbieland, and his effort to find an identity as he realizes that just being Ken might not be enough. It could be seen as a reflection of what a part of men might feel in a rapidly changing world where they now have to prove themselves and just being a man is not enough. Thus, the song, using humour and empathy manages to give an insight into the pressure to abide by gender roles that might result in being limiting or toxic.

Listen to the song and complete the gaps:

Doesn't seem to ______________what I do

I'm always number two

No one ______________how hard I tried

Oh, oh, I

I have feelings that I can't explain

______________' me insane

All my life, been so polite

But I'll sleep alone tonight

'Cause I'm just Ken

Anywhere else I'd be a ten

Is it my ______________to live and die a life of blonde fragility?

I'm just Ken

______________I see love, she sees a friend

What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and ______________for me?

I wanna know what it's like to love

To be the ____________ _____________

Is it a crime?

 

Am I not hot when I'm in my feelings?

And is my moment finally here or am I dreamin'?

I'm no dreamer

Can you feel the Kenergy?

Feels so ______________, my Kenergy

Can you feel the Kenergy?

Feels so ______________, my Kenergy

I'm just Ken

Anywhere else I'd be a ten

Is it my ______________to live and die a life of blonde fragility?

I'm just Ken

Where I see love, she sees a friend

What will it ______________for her to see the man behind the tan and ______________ for me?

I'm just Ken (and I'm ______________)

And I'm great at doin' stuff

So, hey, ______________ ___ ______, yeah, I'm just Ken

My name's Ken (and so am I)

Put that manly hand in mine

So, hey, world, ______________ ___ ______, yeah, I'm just Ken

Baby, I'm just Ken (nobody else, nobody else)

"What was I made for" - Listening Task

Billie Eilish’s song “What Was I Made For?" invites listeners to explore the complex dynamics of identity and purpose, raising existential questions. Moreover, taking into account the movie scene of the song, it makes us reflect on what it means to be human and a reminder that sadness is part of the human experience. Of course, it could also be connected to how women experience the world and on the journey to explore their identity outside the predetermined roles.

Listen and order the stanzas:

Takin' a drive, I was an ideal

Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real

Just something you paid for

What was I made for?

 

Think I forgot how to be happy

Something I'm not, but something I can be

Something I wait for

Something I'm made for

Something I'm made for

 

'Cause I, I

I don't know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don't know how to feel

But someday, I might

 

'Cause I, 'cause I

I don't know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don't know how to feel

But someday I might

Someday I might

Someday, I might

 

I used to float, now I just fall down

I used to know but I'm not sure now

What I was made for

What was I made for?

 

When did it end? All the enjoyment

I'm sad again, don't tell my boyfriend

It's not what he's made for

What was I made for?

Ask and answer the questions in pairs:

"I'm Just Ken" - Conversation Questions

  • What are Ken’s feelings in the song?
  • Why does he feel that way?
  • Can you describe the video?
  • What message does it convey?
  • How are gender roles criticized in the song/video?

"What was I made for?" - Conversation Questions

  • Do “real” humans also wonder what they were made for?
  • How do you think a transformation from being a “doll” to being a human would feel?
  • What are some things/feelings associated to being human?
  • Can we constantly be happy?

Read the lyrics and check your answers :

"I'm Just Ken" - Worksheet Answers

Doesn't seem to matter what I do

I'm always number two

No one knows how hard I tried

Oh, oh, I

I have feelings that I can't explain

Drivin' me insane

All my life, been so polite

But I'll sleep alone tonight

'Cause I'm just Ken

Anywhere else I'd be a ten

Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?

I'm just Ken

Where I see love, she sees a friend

What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?

I wanna know what it's like to love

To be the real thing

Is it a crime?

Am I not hot when I'm in my feelings?

And is my moment finally here or am I dreamin'?

I'm no dreamer

Can you feel the Kenergy?

Feels so real, my Kenergy

Can you feel the Kenergy?

Feels so real, my Kenergy

I'm just Ken

Anywhere else I'd be a ten

Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility?

I'm just Ken

Where I see love, she sees a friend

What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me?

I'm just Ken (and I'm enough)

And I'm great at doin' stuff

So, hey, check me out, yeah, I'm just Ken

My name's Ken (and so am I)

Put that manly hand in mine

So, hey, world, check me out, yeah, I'm just Ken

Baby, I'm just Ken (nobody else, nobody else)

"What was I made for" - Worksheet Answers

I used to float, now I just fall down

I used to know but I'm not sure now

What I was made for

What was I made for?

 

Takin' a drive, I was an ideal

Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real

Just something you paid for

What was I made for?

 

'Cause I, I

I don't know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don't know how to feel

But someday, I might

Someday, I might

 

When did it end? All the enjoyment

I'm sad again, don't tell my boyfriend

It's not what he's made for

What was I made for?

 

'Cause I, 'cause I

I don't know how to feel

But I wanna try

I don't know how to feel

But someday I might

Someday I might

 

Think I forgot how to be happy

Something I'm not, but something I can be

Something I wait for

Something I'm made for

Something I'm made for

Find the song worksheet here:

Findthe worksheet with the answers here:

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How to pass your B2 speaking Exam (Cambridge FIRST) https://polyglotopia.com/tips-for-b2-cambridge-speaking/ https://polyglotopia.com/tips-for-b2-cambridge-speaking/#respond Sun, 17 Dec 2023 21:24:23 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=989507 Tips, useful expressions and information about the B2 Cambridge Speaking Exam.

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Are you taking the B2 Cambridge (FIRST) exam? Then you might be looking for some tips to get a good score in the B2 speaking paper. In this article, you can find general tips about the speaking exam, based on the assessment criteria and also some tips divided by part.

Cambridge B2 Speaking Exam Structure and Tips per part

Below you can also find some tips that are specific to each part of the exam.

Part 1: In this part, you are going to answer some questions about yourself. Our tip is to be as natural as possible, and provide relevant answers. You can prepare and practise answering the exam questions, but avoid memorizing the answers. The examiners can understand you are trying to remember the answer and can take away points for that. Give relevant answers and don’t expand it with irrelevant ideas just in order to talk more.

Part 2: In this part you have to compare two pictures and answer a related question. You have to talk for a minute. After that, you need to listen to the other candidate and answer a question related to their pictures (20-30 secs). How to practise? Well, try to record yourself for a minute comparing the pictures and answering the questions. Then you can hear it and check what you need to improve. Organize your answer, following a good structure, with the help of connectors. Remember you are not describing but comparing.

Part 3: This is your time to showcase your communicative skills. You are going to discuss with your partner about a given question and several given options. Start the conversation, ask questions, listen to your partner. Refer to what they said to boost your mark.

i.e. As Maria said/mentioned…

Part 4: In this part, the examiner is going to ask you for your opinion on topics related to Part 3. At some point, you might also be asked to discuss with the other candidate. Listen to your partner and prepare yourself to say if you agree or disagree with them.

For parts 3 and 4 you can find a sample exam task on the topic of work by clicking here.

How candidates are marked

The assessment criteria are available online for free, so don’t you take a look and understand what the examiner is going to pay attention to? This way, you will know what you have to improve in order to get the desired level and pass your B2 speaking exams with a good score.

The Cambridge assessment criteria are made for the examiner to know how to mark you as well as your teachers in order for them to be able to evaluate your level. So, in case you get confused as to what they mean, so we are offering a guide with examples to help you.

Many people think that getting a good mark is all about not making mistakes. This is not exactly the case. You can make some mistakes and still pass, make none and fail. Let’s have a look at how you are marked. There are four different criteria:

  1. Grammar and Vocabulary: Do you use simple, but also more complex Vocabulary and Grammar? Do you use a variety of Grammar and Vocabulary structures?
  2. Discourse Management: Are your answers relevant? Do you speak without a lot of hesitation? Do you organize your answers well? (i.e. using linkers)
  3.  Pronunciation: Can the examiner understand you? Is your intonation appropriate? Do you stress the correct words and syllables?
  4. Interactive Communication: Can you initiate and maintain the conversation (asking questions, developing, contributing with your answers)? Do you pay attention to your partner and refer to what they said? Can you negotiate and make decisions together with your partner?

In the next section, you can find useful tips, to get a better score in each criteria section.

Tips for a high score in each of the marking criteria

#Tip 1: Know the criteria

Know the criteria: As mentioned in the previous section, knowing how you will be assessed is key to scoring a good mark in B2 FIRST or FIRST for Schools Oral exam. The rest of the tips make specific reference on each of the assessement criteria.

#Tip 2: Show your knowledge

Show your knowledge: If you want a high score for grammar and vocabulary, remember to show your knowledge! You need to use some complex grammar structures (such as the passive voice, modal verbs) as well as a wide range of vocabulary (this means that you should use a variety of different words).

#Tip 3: Use connectors and gap fillers

Use connectors and gap fillers: If you want to get 5 marks for discourse management, you should use connectors and avoid hesitating too much. Using gap fillers can help you with this. Expressions such as:

-Well,…

-Let me think,…

-I’ve never actually thought about this but…

-Hmm, interesting question…

-Hmm, that’s difficult to answer…

#Tip 4: Give relevant asnwers

Give relevant answers. This is another way to get a better score for discourse management. It means that you should answer the question and you should not extend a lot with information that is not related to the question.

For example, imagine they ask you what you like to do in your free time. Here you can find three answers:

  1. I like watching series.
  2. Well, I just love watching series! I watch an episode per day. Apart from that, I enjoy going for walks near the sea to unwind and do some exercise.
  3. Well, I love watching series. I have a huge TV screen in the living room and I like it because it was a birthday gift and has a good resolution. It’s one of the best presents I ever got.

What is the best answer?

Number 1 is grammatically correct but maybe a bit too short. Number 3 is irrelevant as the part of the TV screen is not really related to the question. Number 2 is the best answer as it answers the question completely and uses linking words (also some interesting vocabulary).

#Tip 5: Check out the pronunciation

Check out the pronunciation: Make sure to check out the pronunciation of the new words you learn. That is because, in English, words are not written as they are pronounced.

Bonus comment: Don’t confuse pronunciation with accent! Everyone has a different accent so a good or natural accent doesn’t exist! But you need to make sure you have a clear pronunciation (what we call an intelligible pronunciation), a pronunciation that helps your interlocutor understand what you are saying. Remember: our goal is to communicate!

#Tip 6: Listen, comment, ask

Listen, comment, ask. It is important to listen to what your partner says so as to comment on it or refer to it. Example: “As Xin Yi said,…”. You can also ask questions, try to be helpful and make sure you try to initiate conversation, listen and expand on what your partner mentions. This can help you communicate in general, but also earn you some points for interactive communication.

#Tip 7: Act natural

Act natural: it is normal to be a bit stressed but try to be natural and feel confident. As long as you have practiced a lot, you have nothing to be afraid of.

#Pro tip: Do a mock exam!

Pro tip: Do a mock exam! You can train before the actual exam with your teacher and classmates, in exam-like conditions. This way, you can get some feedback and personalized tips on how to get a better score. 

Useful expressions

Below you can find a list of useful phrases for your B2 Speaking exam, organized by part and function. If you want to print it out, there is also a free PDF you can download by clicking here.

Useful phrases for Cambridge Speaking: Parts 1 and 2

Part 1 

Talking about likes/dislikes
I’m keen on…
I’m interested in…
I enjoy/love…
I can’t stand…
I’m not a big fan of…

Talking about routines
I often/usually/sometimes/rarely/never…
I… once/twice/three times a week…
I spend my mornings/afternoons/evenings…

Talking about preferences
I prefer (+verb+ing)
I’d rather (+bare infinitive)

 

Part 2

Differences and similarities
Both pictures show…
The main similarity is…
In the first picture… while/whereas
in the second picture ….
Another important difference is…
On the one hand,…
On the other hand,…

Answering the question
Regarding the question,…
When it comes to the question,…

Speculating
He/She/It/They look(s)/seem(s)…
He/She/It/They could/might be…

Useful phrases for Cambridge Speaking: Parts 3 and 4

Parts 3 and 4

Initiating the discussion:
Shall I start…?
Shall we start with…?

Asking questions and moving to the next option
What do you think about…?
What is your opinion on…?
What are your thoughts on…?
Would you agree that…?

When it comes to (n/gerund), …
As far as (n/gerund), is concerned…
Now, regarding (n/gerund),

Agreeing
Indeed.
Sure, and also…
Yeah, that’s a good point.
That’s right!
I couldn’t agree more.
I agree with you.

Disagreeing politely
I see your point, but don’t you think that…?
Well, to be honest, I don’t think so.
I see what you mean. However,…
I’m not so sure about that. You see…
I’m afraid I don’t agree with you.

Giving your opinion
For me,…
The way I see it,…
I believe that…
In my opinion,…
From my point of view,…
As far as I’m concerned…

Asking for repetition
Could you repeat that, please?

Gap fillers
-Well,…
-Let me think,…
-I’ve never actually thought about this but…
-Hmm, interesting question…
-Hmm, that’s difficult to answer…

Frequently asked questions

What if I speak for more than 1 minute in Part 2?

Whenever we exceed the time limit, the examiner will say “Thank you” and stop you. Don’t worry at all about that. Just make sure you have compared the pictures and answered the question.

What if we don’t reach a decision in Part 3?

Remember that you are tested on your English level and not your decision-making skills, so that shouldn’t affect your score.

What if my partner doesn’t contribute to the conversation?

Try to do your best and ask them questions. Don’t act the same as them, and try to show the examiner your level. Even if your partner doesn’t contribute a lot to the conversation, this won’t affect your score, you are marked separately.

What if my partner doesn’t stop talking?

If your partner doesn’t let you talk, you could politely interrupt them to make sure you talk enough to be able to show the examiner your level.

Sample Task

Time to practise! Use our presentation to practise for your exam. You can record yourself, listen later, and even evaluate your performance using the assessment criteria. The presentation is also available in pdf form in case you want to download it and save it to your computer. Good luck!

Conclusion

This concludes the list of B2 speaking exam tips. We have given you tips per part as well as tips for each of the assessment criteria combined with useful expressions. Finally, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions, as well as a sample task that you can use as a practice test. Remember to keep in mind one of the tips each time and take little steps to make sure you make progress with the time. Let us know if you have any more questions, we are here to help!

For more Cambridge B2 practice activities, check out our Cambridge B2 section:

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Somewhere only we know – Keane | Worksheet | PET Reading Part 6 https://polyglotopia.com/somewhere-only-we-know-worksheet-b1/ https://polyglotopia.com/somewhere-only-we-know-worksheet-b1/#respond Sun, 03 Dec 2023 19:14:39 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=989462 Practise PET Reading Part 6 with this free printable worksheet on Keane's song Somewhere only we know. Available pdf and online version.

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The wonderful, motivating song "Somewhere Only We Know"  by Keane, has become viral in several social media platforms, often used in reels with beautiful sceneries. The song expresses the nostalgia we feel when we think about our youth and invites listeners to feel these emotions and recall places, people and feelings from the past. After listening to the song, you can think about or discuss the questions related to its meaning. Before listening, you can guess the missing words and this way give yourself some grammar practice, especially if you need to prepare for a B1 exam. The following activity focuses on Part 6 of the PET Reading exam, but can be used for general grammar and listening practice as well.

Practise PET Reading Part 6 with a song

If you feel overwhelmed by B1 Practice and looking for a more entertaining way to get better marks in the exam, why don't you use some music to practise for Reading Part 6 part? PET B1 Reading Part 6 is challenging for many students and this worksheet is going to help you practise in a fun and memorable way. Apart from being a fun way to practise, listening to a song makes the answers easier to remember, and boosts your listening skills too. The worksheet is free and available in PDF version. You can download our free printable song worksheet or do the activities online. Happy listening!

PET Reading Part 6 tips and further practise

If you want more detailed information on what is included in Reading Part 6, you can have a look at this article. It explains the grammar points you need to study in order to get higher scores in this part of the exam. There is also a sample activity for you to practise.

First, complete the gaps:

I walked across ____________empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of ________hand
I felt _______earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh, simple thing, where ________you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely ____
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

I came ___________a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used ______love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh, simple thing, where __________you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely _____
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute, why _________ we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So, why ___________ we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know

Oh, simple thing, where __________you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely ______
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute, why __________we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So, why___________we go?
So, why __________ we go?

Ooh, oh-oh
Ah, oh
This could be the end of everything
So, why __________ we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we know

Now listen to the song and check your answers:

Ask and answer the questions in pairs:

  1. What do you think the singer means by "somewhere only we know"?
  2. How does the singer feel about this special place mentioned in the song?
  3. Do you have a special place that holds sentimental value for you? Can you describe it?
  4. What images or scenes come to your mind when you listen to the song?
  5. What emotions do you feel when you listen to this song?
  6. What images would you include if you had to make a video clip for this song?
  7. Can you find words or phrases in the lyrics that you didn't know before?
  8. What are some “simple things” that you loved and still remember from when you were younger? Could you draw one of these?

Read the lyrics and check your answers :

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So, why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know

Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So, why don't we go?
So, why don't we go?

Ooh, oh-oh
Ah, oh
This could be the end of everything
So, why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we know

Find the song worksheet here:

Find the worksheet with the answers here:

Practise with songs here:

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Classroom Language Posters for the EFL classroom https://polyglotopia.com/classroom-language-posters-for-the-efl-classroom/ https://polyglotopia.com/classroom-language-posters-for-the-efl-classroom/#respond Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:46:53 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=989338 Download our free Classroom Language Posters to decorate your EFL classroom and hekp your students.

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Learning classroom language is essential for EFL/ESL students, as is a great opportunity for them to communicate in English in real-life situations. A lot of questions/phrases we use to communicate in the classroom are repeated in almost every lesson.

By decorating the classroom with classroom language posters, you offer students both extra support and the motivation to actively use English. This way, even if they don’t remember how to say something, they have a reference they can use without the teacher’s help. Thus, they gain more confidence and are more likely to use English in order to communicate in the classroom.

Polyglotopia's Classroom Language Posters

We have put together a selection of common classroom language expressions and questions, and created posters, all available for free download in PDF format. The visuals that accompany the expressions can help students remember their meaning, but translation can also be used depending on the school’s policy. Below you can find a list of the expressions we included as well as the reason why it is important for students to know.

Our Collection of Classroom Language Expressions:

Clarification and Comprehension:

These expressions encourage students to seek clarification and signal their understanding or need for repetition, vital for maintaining comprehension. It might happen when the teacher explains Grammar or at any point of the lesson as the students might not know the meaning of the words. They should be able to express the fact that they don’t understand and also signal when the explanation was sufficient.

"I don’t understand." ➔ " Got it!"

"Can you repeat that please?"

Embracing Curiosity and Learning:

There’s nothing wrong with admitting you don’t know something. Students should be able to express this and view it as an opportunity for learning. They are usually  happy to share something they know or an idea they have thought of, so again, it’s crucial to know how to express it.

"I don’t know." ➔ "I know!"

Language Inquiry:

These indispensable phrases empower students to inquire about new vocabulary, aiding both communication and vocabulary expansion. We have added an Easter Egg in the posters, the Greek word “πολύγλωσσος”, which translates to “polyglot” in English.

"How do you say...in English?"

"What does...mean?"

"How do you spell...?"

Navigating the Lesson:

These expressions aid students in navigating lesson tasks and transitions.

"I’ve finished."

"What page are we on?"

"What do I do next? "

"Can you check my work?"

"Can we pack our things now?"

Promoting Positive Interactions:

These phrases foster positive peer interactions, emphasizing cooperation, kindness, and assistance within the classroom.

"Please, be kind."

"Can you help me, please?"

"Can I have a...please?"

Ready to decorate?

This concludes the collection of questions/sentences we have considered essential to be in every ESL/EFL classroom wall. Do you use posters with classroom language in your classroom walls? What other expressions would you include to the list? Let us know!

Download our Classroom Language Posters here:

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Flowers-Miley Cyrus | Worksheet https://polyglotopia.com/flowers-miley-cyrus-worksheet/ https://polyglotopia.com/flowers-miley-cyrus-worksheet/#respond Mon, 19 Jun 2023 21:48:23 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=989103 Practise listening with this free printable lyrics’worksheet on Miley Cyrus’s song Flowers. You can also find related conversation questions about the topic of breaking up and recovering. Available PDF and online version.

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Miley Cyrus’s popular song Flowers is a great example of how popular songs can be adapted for classroom use and initiate meaningful discussions. Apart from being especially popular on social media, it is appropriate for English language learning lessons and can be used as a listening gap fill activity as well as a lead in for a conversation on happiness, love and independence.

It underlines the fact that people can recover from breakups and enjoy life as much as before. Contrary to many other popular songs, it emphasises on the importance of emotional independence and assertiveness. That’s why we have chosen it for this article, which includes a gap fill activity as well as conversation questions on the topic. The worksheet is free and available in PDF version. You can download our free printable song worksheet or do the activities online. Happy listening!

Complete the gaps with the correct form of the words:

We were good, we were gold
Kind of _________that can't be sold
We were right 'til we weren't
Built a home and watched it _________


Hum, I didn't wanna leave you
I didn't wanna ___________
Started to cry, but then remembered I


I can buy myself ___________
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for ___________
Say things you don't understand
I can take ___________dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better ___________you can


Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby


Paint my ___________cherry-red
Match the roses that you left
No remorse, no ____________

 

I forgive every word you said
Ooh, I didn't wanna leave, baby
I didn't wanna ____________
Started to cry, but then remembered I


I can buy myself ___________
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for _____________
Say things you don't understand
I can take _____________dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better _________you can


Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better, ooh, I


I didn't wanna leave you
I didn't wanna ____________
Started to cry, but then remembered I
(CHORUS)

Ask and answer the questions in pairs:

  1. What is the overall message of the song?
  2. How does the song question the notion of relying on someone else for happiness and love?
  3. What are some examples of the singer feeling independent and able to do things on their own in the song?
  4. Discuss the emotions expressed in the song and how they evolve throughout the lyrics.
  5. What are the society norms about happiness?
  6. Are single people seen as happy or the other way round? Why?
  7. How do people usually experience breakups?
  8. Have you ever helped a friend get over their break up?
  9. Should our happiness depend on romantic relationships, relationships in general or can we be totally independent from others?

Read the lyrics and check your answers :

We were good, we were gold
Kind of dream that can't be sold
We were right 'til we weren't
Built a home and watched it burn

Hum, I didn't wanna leave you
I didn't wanna lie
Started to cry, but then remembered I

I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don't understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can

Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby

Paint my nails cherry-red
Match the roses that you left
No remorse, no regret

I forgive every word you said
Ooh, I didn't wanna leave, baby
I didn't wanna fight
Started to cry, but then remembered I
I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours
Say things you don't understand
I can take myself dancing
And I can hold my own hand
Yeah, I can love me better than you can
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better
I can love me better, baby
Can love me better, ooh, I
I didn't wanna leave you
I didn't wanna fight
Started to cry, but then remembered I
(CHORUS)

Check the song worksheet here:

Check the worksheet with the answers here:

Practise with songs here:

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B1 Reading part 6 (Open Cloze) https://polyglotopia.com/b1-reading-part-6-open-cloze/ https://polyglotopia.com/b1-reading-part-6-open-cloze/#respond Fri, 19 May 2023 10:31:22 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=988858 One of the most challenging parts is by far Reading Part 6. If you want to understand what is tested in this part, find some tips and do some practice, have a look at this article.

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Are you practising for your B1 Cambridge exam? One of the most challenging parts is by far Reading Part 6. If you want to understand what is tested in this part, find some tips and do some practice, have a look at this article.

What is B1 Reading part 6?

In this part of the test, you are given a text (email, article, blog entry etc) of around 120-140 words. Six words of the text are omitted and you have to find them. You get one mark for each correct answer.

What is tested in B1 Reading part 6?

The short answer is: grammar. In order to get high scores in this part of the exam, you need to make sure you revise the following grammatical structures, phrasal verbs and fixed phrases.

Auxiliary verbs: do, be, have

Articles: a, an, the

Conditionals: if, unless

Comparatives/superlatives: than, more, most, less, least, etc

Determiners: this, that, those, etc

Linking words: and, so, but, etc

Modal verbs: can, might, may, should, etc

Prepositions: in, of, to, for, about, from, etc

Pronouns: it, they, we, she, her, each, somebody, every, etc

Quantifiers: some, lot, few, little, etc

Relative pronouns: who, which, whose, etc

Negatives: no, nobody, etc

Phrasal verbs: get on, take part, catch up, etc

Fixed phrases: from time to time, sooner or later, etc

How to do B1 reading part 6 step by step:

1. Quickly read the text to get an idea of what it is about.

2. Complete each sentence with the missing words.

3. Read again and make sure your answers are not only grammatically correct, but also make sense!

4. Remember to fill in all the gaps, even if you are not sure about the answer.

Ready to practise? For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each gap.

Hey Penelope!

How's everything going? I miss you so much and I have some news to share with you!

Guess what? I've finally joined a local basketball team! It's a lot of fun playing with a great group of people, I miss playing with you. We've had some intense games, and I've even scored a three pointers. Can you believe it?

By the way, have you been following the league playoffs? The games have been absolutely thrilling. I was thinking... why we plan a basketball-watching party when you visit?

course, you can also come and watch one of my matches as we will be taking in another local tournament next month. Let me know what you think! I'd love to hear how you're getting with the new teammates.

Take care and talk to you soon!

Fatima

but, few, don't, Of, part, on

Check more activities:

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Anywhere by Rita Ora | ESL Worksheet https://polyglotopia.com/anywhere-by-rita-ora-lyrics-worksheet/ https://polyglotopia.com/anywhere-by-rita-ora-lyrics-worksheet/#respond Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:10:53 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=988598 If you’re a fan of pop music, you’ve probably heard Rita Ora’s hit song Anywhere on the radio or a streaming platform. This upbeat track has captured the interest of millions with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about looking for...

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If you're a fan of pop music, you've probably heard Rita Ora's hit song Anywhere on the radio or a streaming platform. This upbeat track has captured the interest of millions with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics about looking for human connection, making a fresh start and the need that people sometimes feel to “escape”.

Now, with this worksheet, you can deepen your understanding of the song and even learn to sing it yourself! This worksheet includes a gap-fill activity, exercises to help you learn new vocabulary and related questions to think about or discuss with a partner. So, grab your headphones, download the worksheet, and hit the play button!

Complete the gaps with the correct form of the words:

(There is one word that you do not need to use)
crowd, black out, wanna, time flies by, belong
get away, look for, empty

[Verse 1]

_________________when the night is young

Daylight shines on an undisclosed location, location

Bloodshot eyes _________________the sun

Paradise delivered and we call it a vacation, vacation

You're painting me a dream that I

Wanna __________in, wanna ___________in

[Chorus]

Over the hills and far away

A million miles from L.A

Just anywhere away with you

I know we've got to ________________

Someplace where no one knows our name

We'll find the start to something new

Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere

Anywhere away with you

Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere

Anywhere away with you

Fun, little less fun

Little less, over, over, over, over, me

Oh, fun, little less fun

Little less, over, over, over, over, me

[Verse 2]

Truth comes out when we're ______________

Looking for connection in a ____________of __________faces, ___________faces

Your secrets are the only thing I'm craving now

The good, and the bad, let me in

'Cause I can take it, I can take it

You're painting me a dream that I

Wanna _____________in, wanna ____________in

[Chorus]

Fun, little less fun

Little less, over, over, over, over, me

Oh, fun, little less fun

Little less, over, over, over, over, me

Take me anywhere

Oh, anywhere

Anywhere away with you

Take me anywhere

[Chorus]

[Post-Chorus]

Fun, little less fun

Little less, over, over, over, over, me

Oh

Now match the words to their definitions:

to be in the right place or a suitable place:

containing nothing:

to suddenly become unconscious:

to leave or escape from a person or place:

a large group of people:

used to mean that time passes quickly:

want to:

to search for someone or something:

Think or discuss about these questions:

1.What does the expression ¨empty faces¨ refer to?

2.Would you like to go somewhere where no one knows your name?

3.Time flies by when you are having fun? Do you agree? When does time fly by for you?

4.Who is the singer? Have you ever heard any of her songs?

5.Which place does she want to get away from?

6.Is getting away a solution when you don´t like the place where you live in? What other solutions can you find?

Read the lyrics and check your answers :

[Verse 1]
Time flies by when the night is young
Daylight shines on an undisclosed location, location
Bloodshot eyes looking for the sun
Paradise delivered and we call it a vacation, vacation

You're painting me a dream that I
Wanna belong in, wanna belong in

[Chorus]
Over the hills and far away
A million miles from L.A
Just anywhere away with you
I know we've got to get away
Someplace where no one knows our name
We'll find the start to something new
Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere
Anywhere away with you
Just take me anywhere, take me anywhere
Anywhere away with you
Fun, little less fun
Little less, over, over, over, over, me
Oh, fun, little less fun
Little less, over, over, over, over, me

[Verse 2]
Truth comes out when we're blacking out
Looking for connection in a crowd of empty faces, empty faces
Your secrets are the only thing I'm craving now
The good, and the bad, let me in
'Cause I can take it, I can take it

You're painting me a dream that I
Wanna belong in, wanna belong in

[Chorus]
Fun, little less fun
Little less, over, over, over, over, me
Oh, fun, little less fun
Little less, over, over, over, over, me

Take me anywhere
Oh, anywhere
Anywhere away with you
Take me anywhere

[Chorus]
[Post-Chorus]
Fun, little less fun
Little less, over, over, over, over, me Oh

Now have a look at the words and their definitions:

to be in the right place or a suitable place: belong
containing nothing: empty
to suddenly become unconscious: black out
to leave or escape from a person or place: get away
a large group of people : crowd
used to mean that time passes quickly: time flies by
want to: wanna

Check the song worksheet here:

Check the worksheet with the answers here:

Find more songs here:

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How to improve your listening skills in English https://polyglotopia.com/tips-for-improving-your-listening-skills-in-english/ https://polyglotopia.com/tips-for-improving-your-listening-skills-in-english/#respond Sat, 29 Apr 2023 16:26:58 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=988559 Want to improve English listening skills? Check out these practical tips and develop your skills: get better listening exams scores and enjoy your favourite content in English.

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Are you looking to improve your listening skills in English? Maybe it’s because you want to pass a language proficiency test or exam, or simply because you want to be able to understand your favourite series. Improving your listening skills can indeed help you ace your exams, but can also offer plenty of benefits in your academic, personal, and professional life.

In this article, we'll provide you with some tips on how to improve your listening skills in English, from listening to English content as much as possible to focusing on pronunciation and establishing a routine. With consistent practice and dedication, you can develop your listening skills and become a more effective communicator in English.

Establish a practice routine

Listening is a skill and in order to develop it, you need regular practice. It can be as little as 10-15 minutes per. As long as it becomes a routine, you will definitely see results in the long run.

Don’t overlook the pronunciation

When you learn new words, make sure you also learn how they are pronounced. If you don’t, it will be difficult to recognize them when you listen. Also, it is important to notice how words are used in connected speech.

Listen for keywords

Were you expecting to understand every single word? I bet you can’t do this in your mother tongue either. Focus on the keywords, the information you are looking for, don’t expect to understand and remember everything!

Listen again, then read

Listening the same audio two or three times can result in a pleasant surprise as you will understand more each time. Finally, if possible, you can read the text i.e. the subtitles and check if what you got and what you missed.

Become familiar with different accents

English is spoken worldwide, with a huge variety of different accents. Make sure you get exposure to as many of them as the pronunciation of sounds as well as the intonation varies significantly.

Be patient

Get rid of the negative mindset, as it might block your progress. If you feel stressed and lack confidence, your results and motivation will be affected. It takes time, but you will see results if you practise regularly. So, don’t say to yourself that you are not good at listening. You just haven’t practised enough yet.

Have fun

Listen to audios about topics you are interested in: find podcasts, youtube videos, movies, series or songs that you like. Remember, motivation is important, so find a way to enjoy the process.

Ready to practise?

Check out listening activities here:

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Review B2 Cambridge(FIRST) https://polyglotopia.com/review-b2-cambridgefirst/ https://polyglotopia.com/review-b2-cambridgefirst/#respond Thu, 20 Apr 2023 00:22:05 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=988401 Are you preparing for your B2 exam? Or simply interested in learning more about how to write a review? In this article we are going to introduce the review format, provide you with useful vocabulary, present two sample tasks and...

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Are you preparing for your B2 exam? Or simply interested in learning more about how to write a review? In this article we are going to introduce the review format, provide you with useful vocabulary, present two sample tasks and one model answer and review the B2 writing assessment criteria.

Cambridge B2 First Writing Paper

The Cambridge B2 First Writing Paper consists of two parts. The first one is an essay and the second part can be one of the following: email/letter, review, article, or report. In Part 1 there is only one compulsory while in Part two you can choose one out of three different options. You have to write between 140-190 words.

Is the word limit important?

If you write less than 140 words, you have probably forgotten to include some of the information required whereas if you write more than 190, you have probably included unnecessary information. These can affect your score, but in general, you don’t have to worry about 2 or 3 more words.

What is a review in Cambidge exam ?

A review:

  1. Is written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website.
  2. Describes and expresses a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced.
  3. Gives the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like.
  4. Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.

Sample Task

You read this in an advertisement in a reputable online gaming magazine:

Looking for gems in the mud or mud among gems

Have you ever played a game and thought: I really like this! Why isn't it more popular? Or the exact opposite?

Now you have a chance to make your favourite underrated game known to the public. Or to throw shade to a famous game that you hated.

Tell us what we missed and whether you recommend the game or not.

All the reviews will be published in our magazine and the best review will be featured in our front page for a month.

Guess the structure

Place the correct letter
A) Identify what you are reviewing and why. Catch reader´s attention (you can use a personalised question).
B) Give your opinion and comment on the questions you have been asked.
C) Summarize your review with a recommendation.
D) Use the name of the film, book or restaurant.
E) Describe the game, book, restaurant. 

Tltle:
Introduction:
Paragraph 1:
Paragraph 2:
Conclusion:
Check the correct answers>

Sample review exercise

Add the correct title to each paragraph

1) Title 2) Introduction 3) Description (P1) 4) Discussion (P2 ) 5) Conclusion | Recommendation

A) Stumble Guys is a multiplayer game in which you race against 31 other players you race to get a victory. In order to finish first, you have to run between obstacles or to beat other players in elimination mini-games. The player's main abilities are running, jumping, and dashing. In addition, you can use emoticons and choose among different appearances that you acquire by spending in-game currency or money.

B) I would say that the game is quite enjoyable and it seems to me that having in-game purchases that don't change the gameplay is beneficial for both the player and the company. However, in my opinion, an important drawback of the game is that the purchasable emoticons give the user a competitive advantage. Combined with how difficult it is to obtain the in-game currency, it creates an imbalance between paying and non-paying users.

C) Is paying the new word for playing? A Stumble Guys review.

D)Have you ever felt that you can't improve in a game no matter how hard you try, even though you have spent hours on playing? Countless mobile games seek ways of giving paid users an in-game advantage without ruining the experience, but few of them achieve. Stumble Guys's unique solution to keep their game fun and profitable is a combination of rather traditional methods.

F) To summarize, I believe that the game is one of the many overrated games that are popular because of advertisement tricks. I wouldn't recommend the game to players that like the competitive side of gaming because they would be stuck into buying every new emoticon which gives an advantage that out-powers the previous ones. On the other hand, it's a great casual game to play on your phone.

Answers

Guess the stucture

Tltle: D) Use the name of the film, book or restaurant.

Introduction: A) Identify what you are reviewing and why. Catch reader´s attention (you can use a personalised question).

Paragraph 1: E) Describe the game, book, restaurant. 

Paragraph 2: B) Give your opinion and comment on the questions you have been asked.

Conclusion: C) Summarize your review with a recommendation.

Sample review exercise

1) Title
C) Is paying the new word for playing? A Stumble Guys review.

2) Introduction
D)Have you ever felt that you can't improve in a game no matter how hard you try, even though you have spent hours on playing? Countless mobile games seek ways of giving paid users an in-game advantage without ruining the experience, but few of them achieve. Stumble Guys's unique solution to keep their game fun and profitable is a combination of rather traditional methods.

3) Description (P1)
A) Stumble Guys is a multiplayer game in which you race against 31 other players you race to get a victory. In order to finish first, you have to run between obstacles or to beat other players in elimination mini-games. The player's main abilities are running, jumping, and dashing. In addition, you can use emoticons and choose among different appearances that you acquire by spending in-game currency or money.


4)
Discussion (P2 )
B) I would say that the game is quite enjoyable and it seems to me that having in-game purchases that don't change the gameplay is beneficial for both the player and the company. However, in my opinion, an important drawback of the game is that the purchasable emoticons give the user a competitive advantage. Combined with how difficult it is to obtain the in-game currency, it creates an imbalance between paying and non-paying users.


5)
Conclusion | Recommendation
F) To summarize, I believe that the game is one of the many overrated games that are popular because of advertisement tricks. I wouldn't recommend the game to players that like the competitive side of gaming because they would be stuck into buying every new emoticon which gives an advantage that out-powers the previous ones. On the other hand, it's a great casual game to play on your phone.

Tips for each part

Title

Write the title or the name of what you are reviewing followed by the author or creator.

Example 1: The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien

Example 2: Berners Taver: A Review

Introduction

Engage the reader! You can use a personalised question for that.

At least 2 sentences long.

Don't give a lot of information, give a reason to the reader to keep reading.

Description

Give all the necessary information about what you are reviewing and details based on the question.

Don't state your opinion yet.

Discussion

Here is where you can share your opinion.

Useful phrases:

  • For me,…
  • The way I see it,…
  • I believe that…
  • In my opinion,
  • From my point of view,…
  • As far as I’m concerned,…
  • It seems to me that …

Conclusion

In this part, you have to summarise and (based on what you previously stated) recommend or not the reviewed subject.

Useful phrases:

  • You might want to...
  • I recommend...
  • You should...

Download the B2 game review presentation

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B2 Listening Part 4 on Sports, Crime and Racism https://polyglotopia.com/listening-part-4-on-sports-crime-and-racism/ https://polyglotopia.com/listening-part-4-on-sports-crime-and-racism/#respond Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:27:20 +0000 https://polyglotopia.com/?p=987981 Practise B2 listening part with video listening on Eric Cantona's infamous kick. After listening, discuss about sports, crime and racism.

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Listening Part 4 (Cambridge B2 Practice)

Below you can find a listening activity based on a BBC video about the infamous kick of Eric Cantona. Have ever you heard about his “infamous kick”? What do you think the listening will be about? Use this article to practise for B2 level listening and talk about sports, racism and crime.

Before you listen:

Words that can help you before listening:

  • Deal with = face, confront (a problem)
  • Appeal= (law) to request a change in the decision of a court, by applying to a higher court in order to obtain a more favourable decision

  • Put up with= tolerate

  • Assault= physically attack

While Listening:

Watch or listen and look at the options. Choose the best answer: a, b, or c.

1. What does Garry Palister believe was the reason behind Cantona's reaction?

(a) The journalists’ pressure on footballers.

(b) Several abuse incidents Cantona had to face before.

(c) Cantona’s personality.

 

2. People who were at the pitch describe that:

(a) Eric Cantona started moving rapidly.

(b) A fan was shouting at Eric Cantona.

(c) A fan entered the pitch in order to confront Cantona.

3. The court of appeal finally decided to:

(a) Suspend Cantona for the rest of the season.

(b) Imprison Cantona for two weeks.

(c) Give Cantona a community service order.

4. Why was Prosecutor Jeffrey McCann attacked by Simmons?

(a) McCann wanted to ban Simmons from football grounds.

(b) McCann claimed Cantona was innocent.

(c) Simmons was very stressed about going to court.

5. The speaker on the panel stresses that:

(a) Some fans treat players as if they were their property.

(b) Fans should be able to say anything they want to the players.

(c) It is important to hear the opinion of the fans, as they own the team.

6. Why did people use to put up with racism in football grounds?

(a) Because back then they did not realise it was an issue.

(b) Because nobody took serious action against it.

(c) Because the society was racist so they could not do anything.

7. The last speaker is convinced that:

(a) Cantona should have gone to prison because he was guilty of assault.

(b) The situation would have ended in a different way if Cantona was black.

(c) No action has been taken to protect players after the Cantona kick.

Download the B2 Listening Part 4 Worksheet

Download the Answers

After listening:

Below you can find some words related to crime and justice from the video. Can you guess their meanings? Look them up in the dictionary and check your anwers:

  1. Sentence (law)
  2. Community service
  3. Guilty
  4. Innocent
  5. Ban

Conversation questions

  • Are you a football fan? How often do you watch football on TV/online?
  • What is your favourite football team?
  • Who is your favourite footballer and why?
  • How often do you watch live sporting events?
  • Have you ever witnessed a similar incident? What happened?
  • Is football popular in your country? Why? What attracts people to football?
  • What do you think the punishment should be for fans who act this way? Would banning them from football grounds solve the issue?
  • Are hooligans an issue in your country/city?
  • How do authorities deal with the problem?
  • What are your thoughts on community service? Do you know any other famous people who have been ordered to do community service?

For useful expressions, click here:

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