Spain's millenary olive oil: New taste for ancient flavor

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/24/foodanddrink/millenary-olive-trees-spain/

Breathless (The Corrs)

Idiom of the day (47)

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

No se puede tener todo.

A letter of complaint

Introduction

First paragraph = state your complaint, including details of what has happened and where/when the incident took place.

      Mild

     I am writing in connection with.../to complain about...the terrible 

     behaviour/attitude/rudeness of...

     I am writing to draw your attention to...which...

      Strong

     I wish to bring to your attention a problem which arose due to your

     staff/inefficiency...

     I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction/unhappines at...

     I wish to express my dissatisfaction/unhappines with the 

     product/treatment I received from (your staff) on (September 22nd)

Main body

Second, third and fourth paragraph = present each of the specific points you are complaining about. You start a new paragraph for each point and justify theses points by giving examples and reasons.

Closing remarks

Last paragraph = explain what you expect to happen (to be given a refund/replacement/apology/etc)

      Mild

     I hope you will replace... 

     I feel/believe that I am entitled to a replacement/refund...

     I hope that this matter can be resolved/dealt with promptly.

      Strong

     I insist on/I demand a full refund/an immediate replacement or I shall be

     forced to take legal action/the matter further.

     I hope that I will not be forced to take further action. 

Example: You recently hired a car for a part of your holidays. However, there were several problems with the arrangements. Write a letter of complaint to the manager/manageress explaining the problems and requesting compensation.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the service I received when I rented one of your cars on 20th July.

Firstly, I had specially requested a four-door model. However, I was given a smaller two-door version which, apart from being too small for my needs, was clearly in need of extensive repair. Despite my objections, your employees informed me that it was the only car available and assured me that it was in perfect order. Having no other alternative, so I accepted the vehicle.

Contrary to what I had been told, there were, in fact, several things wrong with the car. Despite the fact that I had driven it for only one hour, I was forced to stop when the engine showed signs of overheating. Having added two litres of water to the radiator, I was able to continue, although during the course of my journey a knocking sound from the engine became increasingly persistent and the windscreen wipers stopped working.

My subsequent journey was most uncomfortable. Not only did I have the worry of driving a car which was not roadworthy, but I also had to stop on three occasions to refill the radiator. Finally, I had no choice but to leave the car at your Oxford branch and continue my journey using public transport.

I feel that your employees acted irresponsibly in issuing a car which was not safe to drive, and I believe I am entitled to compensation for the interruption to my holiday. I therefore request that you send me the sum of 200€ to cover the cost of my train ticket and compensate me after the distress I was forced to suffer as a result of your neglicence.

I insist that you give this matter your urgent attention, otherwise I will be forced to take legal action.

Yours faithfully,

Mr S. Mallison

Idiom of the day (46)

You could've heard a pin drop.

No se oía ni una mosca.

Let it be (The Beatles)

Idiom of the day (45)

There's always a catch.

No hay miel sin hiel.

A letter to apply for a job

A letter to apply for a job is also known as letters of application or cover letters. You can write to apply for a job or a course.

Introduction

First paragraph = opening remarks

     - Reason for writing

     - The name of the job/course, where and when you saw it advertised

Main body

Second, third and/or four paragraphs = you give details

     - Age, present job and/or studies

     - Qualifications

     - Experience

     - Skills and personal qualities that are suitable for the job/course

Conclusion

Last paragraph = closing remarks

     - When you are available for interview

     - Where and when you can be contracted

     - A remark that you hope that you application will be considered

Example of a letter to apply for a job:

                                                                                         18 Kings Road

                                                                               Birminghan, M24 6HD

                                                                                         June 16, 2003

Mr P Bradley

Trans Europe Tours,

17 Bridge Street,

Cambridge, SW12

Dear Mr. Bradley,

I am writing to apply apply for the position of travel courier, which I saw advertised in the February edition of Sunshine Holidays.

As outlined in my curriculum vitae, which I have enclosed, I have got a degree in Modern Languages from Bristol University. I have been working as a travel courier for the las two years.

I believed that I would be an ideal candidate for the position because I speak French, German and Spanish fluently and I have got a working knowledge of Greek. This makes me capable of dealing with people from different countries. Besides, I am outgoing, talkative and friendly, which are the perfect qualities for a travel courier. Apart from this, my time spent traveling around Europe gives me a valuable knowledge of several countries. Therefore, I would be good at showing people all those places.

I thank you for considering my application and am willing to attend an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely,

J. Henderson

Idiom of the day (44)

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Nadie está contento con lo que tiene.

Vocabulary (11) - Cinema

actor

actress

director

screenplay
script

plot

film (BE)
movie (AE)
cast
lead role
secondary role
main actor
secondary actor
original version
scene
setting
special effects
star
story
subtitles
stuntman/stuntwoman

soundtrack: if you want to know what a soundtrack is, click here (you will find some examples)

genre, types of genres: action film/movie, animation film/movie, cartoon film/movie, comedy, historical drama, horror film/movie, martial arts film/movie, musical, romantic comedy, science fiction film/movie, silent film/movie, thriller, war film/movie, western

Verbs related to the cinema
act
be based on
be dubbed into
direct
film
play the part
record
set
subtitle
test

Interview with George Clooney

A good way to practice the listening skill...

Red red wine (UB40)

Idiom of the day (43)

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Mejor no revolver el asunto.

Weekend camping resets body clock

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38826127

Lucky (Pharrel Williams)

Idiom of the day (42)

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Más puede la pluma que la espada.

Famous words (7)

The public is like a piano. You just have to know what keys to poke.

                                                              Al Capp (US cartoonist)

A formal transactional letter

We usually write a formal transactional letter to respond to written information in the form of advertisements, letters, invitations, notes, etc

Introduction

First paragraph = we write our opening remarks and explain the reason for writing the letter.

Main body

Second and third paragraphs = we ask questions or give the information required. We always ask our questions in a formal indirect way.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we write our closing remarks.

It is important to include all the facts provided in the rubric and the notes. However, we need to rewrite the information in our own words as much as possible. We do not use abbreviations, contracted types or colloquialisms for this type of transactional letter.

Example: You are an author and you have received the following invitation. Write a letter accepting the invitation and ask for details regarding the location, time and whether you can can bring any guests with you.

     Dear Mrs Stephens,

          We would be delighted if you would accept our invitation to present

     the awards at the Book Society's 5th annual awards dinner.

     Yours sincerely,

     Peter Van De Vere

Dear Mr Van De Vere,

Thank you for your kind invitation. I would be honoured to present the awards at the Book Society's 5th annual awards dinner. Unfortunately, you failed to mention a few important details.

Firstly, I would be grateful if you could let me know the exact date of the event, so that I can rearrange my schedule. I assume that you are holding the event at the Regency Hotel in London, as you did last year. However, I would be grateful if you could let me know if the location has changed. I also need to know what time the event starts.

In addition, I was wondering if it would be possible to bring my daughter as my guest. Finally, I would like to mention that I am a strict vegetarian, therefore I would be grateful if you could let me know whether there will be any vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Thank you again for choosing me to host such a worthwhile event. I am looking forward to it immensely.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Stephens

Catalan trial: Artur Mas independence vote case draws crowds

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38878688

National geographic

Adventure video, pictures, world exploration, educational cable TV programming. Includes show schedule, plus multimedia previews.

Website: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/