ESL Blogs

My dear friends! In this blog I'd like to summarize the results of my last American test for you to have some fun at the beginning of the weekend and for you to remember some necessary words and some useful information. So, let's start!

The synonym for TRAIN turned out to be the most complicated word and it is of no wonder. It is the oldest city transport still popular in Europe, but I am unsure you all have seen it. As to America, there were many streetcars here before, but now there are almost none. The most famous of them is an old San Francisco streetcar, the last manually operated cable car system remained in the USA till now. It is like an icon of that city, one of its sightseeings. If you come to Frisco, you should have a ride!

But let's analyze your answers!

A MONORAIL. In the picture you can easily see TWO rails.

A LIGHT RAIL. Why? Do you think those rails are not metal?

A CART. OMG! Do the passengers push it? Ha-ha!

An ELECTRIC TRAIN. At least, it makes sense.

A CABLE CAR. Yes, it is an American word, but not the one we usually use. 

I'd also like to mention the INDICATOR. Most of modern people drive and we all know we switch on that light when we are going to turn as well as we know it blinks! It was so easy! But let me tell you the answers I like most of all! Ha-ha!

RIGHTING. Ha-ha! Why not LEFTING? Do we always turn right?

FRONT/SIDE light. Yes, those lights are there, but what is their function?

About ladies' wear. Any long dress is a GOWN in American. First of all, it is an evening gown our ladies still put on going out for parties. Besides, University teachers and students put on academic gowns on some special occasions like graduation, awarding, etc. In the past, our women put on sleeping gowns before going to bed. But now they put on TEDDIES (short lacy stuff). I'd like to tell you that what we put on after a shower is a BATHROBE.

And now, let me tell you about buildings. You all know that American synonym for A FLAT is AN APARTMENT. So, if we speak about a multistory house, it is AN APARTMENT BUILDING. Now, about floors. A grond floor is the first floor located on the ground both in British and American. But the next one is the first in British and the second in American. So, if you check into a hotel in England and your room is located on the second floor (there are no guest rooms on the ground floor) its number will start with 1, like 123. In America, it will be 223. As to the BASEMENT (one of the answers), it is an underground floor.

And now, about the main! Ha-ha! If you ever visit an American restaurant, first of all you will be asked if you want any APPETIZER while you are looking through the menu. Here, it is mostly a drink. It may be any beverage including icy water very popular here as it is always hot in Florida. On the other hand, the word APPETIZER doesn't mean a drink only. It is any light food improving appetite served before the ENTREE. 

While having an appetizer you feel you want to eat something more substantial and you order an ENTREE that comes together with a SIDE DISH and a SALAD you get for free. As to DRESSING (one of the answers for a side dish), it is a sause we add to a salad. The most popular in America, at least here, in Florida are French, Italian, Caesar, oil and vinegar. You can choose any side dish, salad and dressing you prefer. And  DESSERT is the third course. You may have it or not.

I'd like to believe, you've got some useful information from my blogs. And here is my advice: when you watch movies, pay more attention to what actors say. If you follow my advice, you will easily enrich your American vocabulary .

Thanks for taking part! We are leaving for vacation in a week but we  don't say "Bye till fall". We will be online.