Book Review

During the second therm, you will have to write a book review( 150-200 words) and your writing  should be organized somewhat like this:

Introduction, which gives facts and background information concerning the book and its author.

Main body, usually made up of three parts. The first giving a concise outline of the plot, the second mentioning the main characters and their role in the story and thirdly any relevant themes the book touches upon while it unravels.

Conclusion, which should include any general comments and opinion as well as a positive or negative recommendation supported by reasons.

The style of your review or oral presentation very much depends on your audience, therefore it can either be formal or semi-formal. Present tenses are normally used as well as a variety of adjectives to make the speech more interesting.

Useful language
Recommendations:

· It’s well worth reading

· It will change the way you think of….

· I wouldn’t recommend it because….

· It’s bound to be on the best sellers list

· I highly/strongly recommend it

· It’s a highly entertaining read

· It’s a bore to read

· It’s certainly at the top of my list of favourites

· Fans of this author will no doubt be thrilled with this latest edition

· It’s a must!

· Don’t bother with this one

· I definitely recommend that you add this to your collection!

Choose the vocabulary according to your level using adjectives and expressions like the ones below:

ELEMENTARY: amusing, boring, brilliant, enjoyable, exciting, funny, great, romantic, simple.

INTERMEDIATE: dull, entertaining, hilarious, moving, predictable, remarkable, shocking, surprising, tragic, unpredictable, violent, a cliffhanger, blackly funny, breathtaking, deeply moving, dull, heart warming...

Your can read the whole post giving advice about book reviews at our Library Blog, About Reading. Thanks to Mª José and Alison for their excellent tips.

If you feel like giving voice to your writings or to the texts you are reading, you can use this tool. It does not sound very natural, but it is not bad either. You can give it a try and see if you like it.

You will find more interesting reading material at English Story Reading Room. All the books there are available for free.

Christmas Wishes

I wish a merry Christmas for all of us and lots of nice surprises for next year.

After all, 2014 must be better than 2013, I can't see how it can be worse. And no , we don't want to see if things can go worse, we want a nice holiday to share with our family and friends , lots of presents , happiness and prosperity for next year, as usual.
Oh, I forgot, we'd like to win a good lottery prize just for once!

Love,

MJ

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It'd be nice if you wrote your own Chistmas greetings and sent them as comments. You just have to click on the comment icon below. Come on, Xmas is coming again; it's time to celebrate!

If you need some ideas, you can find them here.

Tests

2st year basic level

14th November: Listening comprehension
14th November: Reading Comprehension
21st November: Writing

2nd year intermediate level

21th November: Writing

Asking Questions

Tag Questions
Usage
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Embedded Questions
Usage
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

ESL POD,Podcasts in English

Nacho, 1st year basic level student at EOI Aviles recommends you this podcast site to practise your listening skills. The site offers you the script for all the poscasts to make it easier for you.
Click here to get to the site.