From relief to regret: Readers' experiences of abortion

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38775641

Verb tenses - exercises without key

http://www.bsu.by/Cache/pdf/243113.pdf

Idiom of the day (33)

It's water under the bridge.

Agua pasada no mueve molino.

Famous words (3)

It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are.

                                                                    Clive James (Australian critic)

Idiom of the day (32)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Todo es según del color del cristal con que se mira.

An opinion essay

An opinion essay presents our personal opinion on a particular topic. We need to state our opinion clearly and support it with examples or reasons.

Introduction

First paragraph = we present the topic and state our opinion clearly.

Main body

Second and third paragraph = we present our viewpoints and give reasons/examples. We present each viewpoint, with reasons/examples, in a separate paragraph.

Fourth paragraph = we present the opposing viewpoint and give examples/reasons.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we restate our opinion using different words.

We usually use present tenses in this kind of writing and avoid using informal language such as contractions (I've, she's) and colloquialisms (What's up?) etc. We can use phrases like In my opinion, I (strongly) believe that, It seems to me that to introduce our opinion. We can find opinion essays in newspapers and magazines as articles or letters to the editor, etc.

Example: Your local newspaper is asking readers to write an article giving their opinion on the following statement: Students should not be allowed to have mobile phones at school.

                             NO MOBILE PHONES AT SCHOOL

Nowadays more and more students bring their mobile phones to school. While I believe that students should carry mobile phones in case of an emergency, I am strongly opposed to these phones being used at school, particularly in the classroom.

Firstly, many students travel to and from school without their parents. Therefore, it is important for them to have a mobile phone in case they need help or have an accident on the way to school or home.

Furthermore, parents who work may need to contact their children. For example, if a parent has to work late, the student has to be told if arragangements have been made for a relative or neighbour to look after them.

On the other hand, nothing is more disruptive during a lesson than the sound of a mobile phone ringing or playing an annoying tune. Moreover, students who send and receive text messages in class are not paying attention to the lesson.

In conclusion, I feel that students should be allowed to take mobile phones to school for use in an emergency. However, all phones should certainly be turned off during lessons.

Idiom of the day (31)

He did it accidentally, on purpose.

Lo hizo sin querer, queriendo.

Famous words (2)

The first wealth is health.

          Ralph Waldo Emerson (US philosopher)

Idiom of the day (30)

To kick the bucket.

Estirar la pata.

My girl (The Temptations)

A for and against essay

We usually write a for and against essay in a formal style. When we write the essay, we need to discuss both sides of the argument to give a balanced view.

Introduction

First paragraph = we present the topic, but do not give our opinion.

Main body

Second paragraph = we give the arguments for the topic together with justifications and examples.

Third paragraph = we give the arguments against the topic.

We start each paragraph with appropiate topic sentences.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we write a balanced personal opinion, or summarise the main arguments for and against.

We also need to use appropiate linkers to connect similar ideas and introduced opposing ideas.

Example: You have to write an article discussing the pros and cons of exercising to reduce stress.

                                  More exercise, less stress?

Do you know how dangerous stress can be? It affects us both physically and mentally, so reducing stress is something that we should all try to do. While many people feel that the best way to get rid of stress is some form of exercise, there are other ways which are just as effective.

The benefits of physical exercise are obvious. First of all, keeping fit helps your body stay strong and healthy. Therefore you are less likely to get sick or suffer form stress-related health problems such as heart attack and cancer. Furthermore, exercise is a good way to get rid of frustration and anger because after exercise the brain produces hormones called endorphines which make us feel good.

Moreover, if you are out of shape, exercise can be quite painful. You may pull a muscle or injure yourself. Furthermore, exercising may even cause more stress since it will add to your already hectic schedule.

In conclusion, the best way to combat stress in our lives is to live a healthy life. As James Freeman Clark says, "Never hurry. Take plenty of exercise. Always be cheerful. Take all the sleep you need. You may expect to be well."

soundtracks

In this post you can enjoy from different soundtracks which belong to famous films, for example:

Beetlejuice (this film is known in Spain as Bitelchus) - Banana Boat Song:

Titanic - My heart will go on:

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Moon river:

Riding in cars with boys - All I have to do is dream:

The full monty - You can leave your hat on:

The full monty - Looking for some hot stuff:

Idiom of the day (29)

There are plenty of fish in the sea.

Hay mucho más donde elegir (nueva pareja).

Famous words (1)

The only thing we have to fear on this planet is man.

                                Carl Jung (Swiss psychologist)

Idiom of the day (28)

To be filthy rich.

Estar forrado (de dinero).

Vocabulary (10) - Describing feelings

satisfied

disappointed

thrilled

tired

shy

embarrassed

frightened

excited

annoyed

fascinated

confused

worried

relaxed

bored

pleased

relieved

Idiom of the day (27)

...a fate worse than death.

Prefiriría morirme que...

An essay providing solutions to problems

Essays providing solutions to problems are pieces of writing in which we present a problem and its causes, then discuss our suggestions as well as their expected results.

Introduction

First paragraph = we present the problem and its causes.

Main body

Second, third and fourth paragraphs = we write our suggestions and their expected results.

We write each suggestion and its results in separate paragraphs. We should link our ideas using appropiate linking words.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we summarize our opinion.

Such essays are normally written in semi-formal or formal style, depending on who is going to read them and where it is going to bepublished. They are usually found in magazines, newspapers, etc.

To make our piece of writing more interesting to the reader, we can use certain techniques to start or end it such as:

• addressing to reader directly: If you want to help the environment, there are lots of things that you can do.
• using a quotation (a sentence/phrase from a book, a play, etc), don't forget to mention the name of the person who said/write it: ...as American anthropologist Margaret Mead said "We have nowhere else to go...this is all we have."
• using a rhetorical question (a question that makes a statement rather than expecting an answer): Is it important to protect endangered species?

USEFUL VOCABULARY

To make suggestions:
It (would help if)/(be a good idea if)...;
A/Another useful suggestion would be to...;
The situation could be improved if/by...;
Steps/Measures should be taken in order to solve/deal with...

To present results and consequences:
In this way...;  This would...;  Then...;  If..., the result would be...;
The effect/consequence/result of...would be...



Example:

How can we make our planet a safer place for animals?

Is our planet a safe place for animals? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it. Thousands of species have become extinct and many more are now endangered. We need to do something fast before it is too late for them.

Firstly, measures need to be taken to protect our wildlife. The destruction of threatened animals' habitats should be illegal, with long prison sentences for people who break these laws. This would protect animals and the environments they live in.

Another solution is to promote education about endangered species. If people are aware of the problem, then they will buy fewer products made of materials such as ivory or fur.

Finally, we should create more national parks and conservation areas. This would allow animals to live and breed safely in their natural habitats. As a result, their numbers would increase and species would not die out.

In conclusion, there are many ways to make our world a better place for animals. We all need to do whatever we can. As Malcolm Bradbury said, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem".

Idiom of the day (26)

The exception proves the rule.

La excepción que confirma la regla.

Vocabulary (9) - Art and heritage

a landscape

a palette

a portrait

a sculpture

a still life

an easel

a watercolour

clay

a potter's wheel

classical beauty

Gothie architecture