My  dear friends! As I promised, this month we will vote for the most interesting question of August. Only August gamers can take part in voting.Perhaps, there should be some estimation criteria so that our choice will be somehow grounded. I propose the following criteria:

1. The question, itself, caused your desire to know the answer.

2. The question was asked in such a way that the easiest answer seemed to be beyond your understanding.

2. It was not easy (or was impossible) to google the answer.

Sure, you can take into account your own criteria. But, I'd like you to remember, that we vote for a question, not for its answer.

If you post your comment and then, change your mind, you should delete the previous comment and post another. I will go on adding the questions, so, such a situation is quite possible. Each person has to choose only one question.

Now, how we vote. To make it easy, just tell the number of a round.All the questions asked in August are put to the vote. The author of the best question will get an interesting fiction.

So, here are the questions asked in August.

Round :13

Question: The dishonest businessmen of “Wonderland” area compelling the farmers to cultivate tobacco for their own interest. As a result, the rice production was decreasing and the people of that area were facing food crisis. Finding no other alternative, the farmers become rebellious. To save the farmers from suppression, Mr. Dream united the poor people and formed a volunteer force selecting members from them.

Question.. Which sector of economy was dependent and what characteristics of rebellion mentioned in the story?

Answer: indigo revolt in Bengal, about 1859.

Round : 14

Question: Name the place of this picture. This ancient site was named after its location. hints : is not exist anymore.(photo)

Answer:  Buddhas of Bamiyan.

Round :15

Question: 1) Which one is elelement of photosynthesis?

A)Oxygen    B) Hydrogen  C) Carbon di oxide D) Nitrogen.

2) Which one is liquid gas solution?

A) Coca-Cola   B) Water vapour  C) Lemon juice  D) Sarbet

3) Which food is rich in vitamin?

A) Cabbage   B) Guava  C) Mango  D) Apple.

Answer:

1) Carbon di oxide

2) Coca-Cola  

3) Guava

Round :16

Question: Which part of the web address(URL) known as Path.

here is web address(URL):

http://www.myenglishclub.com/profiles/blogs/let-s-play-jeopardy-again?xg_source=activity

Answer: profiles/blogs/let-s-play-jeopardy-again

Round :17

Question.What type of dish is made from pasta filled with a savoury filling and boiled to cook?

Answer: ravioli.

Round :18

Question: This song (1976) is 'bout summertime, foolin' around and the true example of "We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?".

Answer: Night Movies.

Round :19

Question..Which famous drink is taken as a shot and is accompanied by a citrus fruit and salt?

Answer: tequila.

ROUND 20

Question: the charecter/personage of a very famous American movie who always said "Gentlemen! Big smile, B_I_G   S_M_I_L_E!" after destroing houses, shooting aquariums or just aiming his gun at bad guys taking them by surprise. I know, you need some explanations. That character was a cop, he was a good, but a little crazy guy.

Answer: Martin Riggs (The Lethal Wapon starring by Mel Gibson) 

Round :21

Question: Hull City allegedly approached which former Chelsea footballer, who once managed both West Ham United and Watford to become their new boss?

Answer: Gianfranco Zola

ROUND 22.

Question: What principle idea gave the beginning to any digital electronic devices like calculators, computers, etc.

Answer: binary code.

Round :23

Question:- What is a famous brand that was said to be founded by the owners when he made it from a waffle iron?

Answer: NIKE.

Round: 24

Question:- The holder of the compromised computer is insensitive about the system, that the system or computer is being controlled by outsider... the computer is known as ????

Answer: Zombie

Round 25

Question: It is a technology usually used in games, in which the view of reality is modified by a computer.... What is the name of Technology?

Answer: Augmented reality

Round 26.

Question: What is the name of this Ukrainian national musical instrument? (photo)

Answer: kobza

Round 27.

Question: In modern European, American countries, in Australia and many others the color of mouring is black. But, in the Middle Ages, the French queen whose husband died had to wear the clothes of the different color till the end of her life. What was the color of her clothes?

Answer: white.

Round 28.

Question: Those events date back to the end of the 11th- the beginning of the 12th centuries. One Russian princess, to be exact Kiev princess as there was no Russia that time, got married to one French king. Some later, they both got disappointed in that marriage and she got a lover who was a very noble French prince. The question is: who were those three people? You should name them.

Answer: Anna Yaroslavovna, the Princess of Kiev; Henty, the First, her first husband; Prince de Conde, her lover.

Round :29

Question.. Whom the Asian cricket player first joined up with Sussex, but unluckily after just two matches, he encountered remarkable wound? I want you to write his and his country name and if possible , upload his picture here, too…

Answer: Mostafizur Rahman from Bangladesh

Round :30

Question:   He was a very good swimmer and had super human diving ability! Could breath under water for a long time. Raw fish was his favorite. He had a lung along with a set of shark gills. Yes,  a character of a popular science fiction. But, question is who was the girl he adored?

Answer: Gutiere.

Round : 31

Category: Cuisine!

Score: 300.

Question: The components of any meals.

Answer: ingredients.

Round 32.

Question: Once upon a time there lived a young guy of the royal descent. After one episode in his life he became alike Achilles. Later on, he got into the abyss of intrigues, both women's and men's and was killed at the order of his sovereign. Perhaps, you already know who  that guy was. My question is: the name of the composer  of the opera which name is the same as the name of the movie about that man.

Answer: Richard Wagner, “The ring of Nibelungs”.

Round 33

Question: Around 1542 explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered this island. It's believed he's buried there too.

Answer: Cataline Island.

Round 34.

Question: a very special mammal breeding with eggs but feeding cubs with milk. You have to tell me on which coin of which country can you see that strange mammal?

Answer: 20 cent coin. Australia.

ROUND 35.

Question: the bird which voice is heard from the distance of about 2 miles when he is looking for a partner to have kids with.

Answer: Kiwi, an Australian parrot.

Round 36.

Question: What band did become famous due to taking part in the Olimpic ceremony in 2000?

Answer: Savage Garden.

Round 37

Question. The British actor, never went School after his age of 15, won International Emmy award for best actor, and died in 2014. ....Who was the actor and which year he won the International Emmy award??

Answer: Bob Hoskins" who won Emmy award 2009

Round 38

Question: what is the name of this beach and where it is located?

Answer: Panjin Red Beach, China

Round: 39

Question: Which animal's group known as raft, and They use plants to secure their group bonding?

Answer: otters

ROUND 40.

Question: In the university town where I work is a hospital. Its name is Shenn's Memorial Hopital. So, you should tell me what the words Shenn's Memorial mean.

Answer: the hospital was named Shenn’s Memorial in the memory of Dr. Shenn (after his death) who worked there and made a lot for the development of the hospital and medicine in general

ROUND 41.

Question: That man was Alexander's the Great friend. According to different sources Alexander had three best friends who followed him in all his expeditions. Using modern language, he made them all the commanders of some troops. Who was a commander of his cavalry?

Answer: Philotas, a commander of the Companion cavalry; Leontiskos, the general commander.

Round 42.

Question: What was first introduced to the USA for the benefit of farmers but then it became such a pest?

Answer: kudzu.

Round 43.

Question: What is the name of the words that sound the same but have different spelling?

Answer: homophones.

Round 44.

Question: What is the name of such a nozzle? (picture)

Answer: a spay jet or a divergent nozzle.

Round 45.

Question: It was a very fine fabric of south-Asian region. It is said it could pass through a needle. This kind of cloth was adored by the high class society in home and abroad! Though there is a sad story behind it and this fabric was named after another country! Many travelers described  it in their books.

 My Question is....where this fabric was woven and What  is the name of the book of Marco polo where he described about it? 

Answer: muslin fabric.

Round :46.

Question: The great English scientist achieved only basic education from a local school until age 13, his parents was very poor, in his later life had experienced a mental disorder and after his death, many things named in his honor….. Who was the scientist?

Answer: Michael Faraday

Round 47 

Question : Name this kind of cloud (picture)

Answer: Undulatus Asperatus.

Round 48 

Question:"I’ve Had the Time of my Life" is a song from which movie?

Answer: Dirty Dancing

Round 49

Question: Who was the tennis player ranked the world no. 1 in singles for a total of seventy-two(72) weeks and reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments, winning three of them?

Answer: Stefan Edberg, Sweden.

Round 50
Question: Vihara or bihar....is a bhuddist architechture. There are many viharas in asia. Question is....why viharas were erected and actually what were viharas?

Answer: they were Budhist temples or monasteries, first universities.

ROUND 51.

Question: Now, we can't do without a device invented by the scientist of the Scottish origion as a result of his investigations reached due to working with the deaf. You should tell me the name of that scientist and the device I mean.

Answer: Alexander Graham Bell, telephone.

Round 52
Question : In the reception lobby the base of NASA's sounding rocket programme there is a painting depicted a battle scene with a few rockets flying in the background.
Who is the leader of soldiers on the side that launching the rockets?

Answer:  Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu.

Round 53.

Question: What game originated in Spain is very popular in Florida and Latin America?

Answer: jai alai.

Round  54.

Question: how many stripes are there on the American flag and what they symbolize?

Answer: 13, first colonies

Round 55
Question: Which was the ancient name of Dhaka?

Answer: Jahangir Nagar

Round 56 

Question : There are four movies about Indiana Jones, it was in 1980's and the last one was in late 1990's. After that there were several movies which have similarities with Indiana such as the story and adventure.

my question --> name two characters in two movies that almost similar with Indiana Jones movie,. hints, a female and a male.

Answer: Robert Langdon (The DA Vinci Code) and Lara Croft.

Round 57.

Question: One French queen delivered the twins. One of them was taken away from her and spent the best years of his life unknown and jailed. The other became one of the most famous kings of France. You should tell me the full names of those three characters.

Answer:  Anne d'Autriche (Anne of Austria), the wife of Louis XIII; Louis XIV Bourbon, the king of France; his twin brother Phillip Bourbon.

ROUND 58.

Question: One of the most famous English legends is about King Arthur and the knights of the round table. So, my question is: how many knights  usually sat at the table, why it was round and who was the first to suggest the idea of the round table?

Answer: the idea of the round table was first suggested by Arthur’s wife, Guinevere. Contrary to rectangular tables, where the host/king was always at the head, at the round table all seemed to be equal. It may be considered as one of the first manifestations of democracy.

Round 59.

Question: It is a plant. It is edible. Some people use it as cooking fuel. It is a source of natural fiber. To get the fiber people should cut the plant and put it in a certain situation. Question is...what is the name of that plant and where they should be place to get fiber.

Answer: jute, drying in the sun.

Round 60.

Question: What event of the 18th century, seemed to be just an economic problem that time, caused irreversible changes of the world policy and geography and led to the creation of the state/ country that exists till now?

Answer: Boston Tea Party. May 1773.

Round 61.

Question: the negative characteristic/property of different granulated bulk materials.

Answer: blocking property.

Round 62.

Question: What is the name of the individual that sought an asylum because of certain leak documents, and what is the name of the country that he is resisting the arrest of?

Answer: Person: Julian Assange; country: Ecuador.

ROUND 63.

Question: What has a head and a tail, but no body? What is inside the box?

Answer: a coin.

Round 64.

Question: In the box is something we have or not. We can't buy it, but we can sell it if we have it. If we have it, we can do whatever we like with it, in particular, we can cut it or not. What is in the box?

Answer: a lock of human hair.

Round 65.
Question: In the box is something, you can eat without planting, water is the main component, amazingly, when the water itself touches it then its dies. What is in the box?

 Answer: salt

Round 66.

Question: It is a meat dish. First, we cut meat (mutton or pork) into rather small cubes, approximately 3x3x3 cm. We also slice onions, put everything in a bowl, add mayonnaise, salt, pepper, mix up and leave in the fridge for night. Then, we string cubes of meat, onions and some other vegetables like small tomatoes, slices of an egg plant, sweet pepper on such special long sharp metal things looking like epees and grill them at very low open flame rinsing with wine all the time. So, you should tell me the name of this dish and its origin as well as  the name of those metal things.

Answer: shish kebab, Turkic, skewers.

Round :67.

Question: when it is summer season in India, what is the season in Chile?

Answer: winter.

Round 68

Question: For many centuries this British unit of lenth had depended on the English king's sizes (his height, body-built) until the standard was imposed. What is the name of this unit?

Answer: yard.

Round 69

Question: What is the wave and its category based on the medium that if it is with large enough energy can cause an earthquake?

Answer: mechanic(al) wave.

Round 70.

Question: It is neither some foodstuff nor a beverage, but we take it in from time to time. What is in the box?

Answer: a pill/pills.

Round 71.

Question:Many people got this bad habit being young, but many of them didn't. But those who still have it need a thing sitting in the box to keep their houses/offices clean. What is in the box?

Answer: an ashtray.

Round 72.
Question : What is the name of J J Tolkien's friend who wrote books with similar theme with him?

Answer: Clive Staples Lewis.

Round 73.

Question: It is not general knowledge, but some plants manufacturing very peaceful  products may be easily transformed into the military plants manufacturing weapons. So, my question is: what kind of a plant producing something for agriculture can be almost immediately transformed into a military plant manufacturing the most necessary product for war or any military actions. Your answer should contain two terms: a kind of a plant and the name of the product it can produce at war times.

Answer: a nitrogen fertilizer plant, gunpowder.

Round 74.

Question: IT has been raised and used for human needs for many centuries.  But even at the beginnig of the 20th century IT was gathered manually, by hand and the people gathering IT became allergic to IT althouth if IT is processed  IT can't cause allergy at all and is even recommended to be used by allergic people. What is IT?

Answer: cotton wool.

Round 75.

Question: It is both, I mean, vegetable and fruit. Some people like to have it as vegetable but we usually have it as fruit. And, people around the world like to have it. What is it?

Answer: banana

Round 76.

Question:  a bright character of British novels, who always relied on his common sense and the deductive method. He liked to smoke a pipe and play the violin. What is his name?

Answer: Sherlock Holmes.

Round 77.

Question: Pyramids were made in ancient Egypt. Why were they erected?

Answer: they were erected as tombs to protect Pharaohs’ mummies.

Round 78.

Question:  What Number should replace the question mark?

Answer: 17.

Round 79.

Question: This world famous hard drink was firstly produced by monks many centuries ago at the times of crusades. The main purpose was to use it as anticeptic and pain reliever. But since then, it became the most popular drink and monks also get addicted to it although their religion (as well as others) didn't approve of drinking. What is the name of the beverage?

Answer: Scotch whiskey

Round 80.

Question: How to call (how we call) the number of vibrations executed by a vibrating body in one second?

Answer: frequency.

Round 81.

Question:  To ask my question, I should give you some more information. I have already asked you about King Arthur and the knights of his round table. According to the legend, King Arthur founded his town/city named Camelot. It was located on the island named Avalon. During many centuries this story was considered to be a legend as there is no such an island. But in late 80s' of the 20th century archeologists found the remaindins of some ancient town on the bottom of the North Sea, very close to Wales where King Art is supposed to have lived. Besides, they foud a sword that looked like the famous Escalibur. So, my question is: If that island excisted, what made it disapper?

Answer: Climate change. It was a glacial island and it just melted.

Round :82

Question It was an American 3D computer-animated film about two sisters, both were princesses, but one had powers and compelled to keep her powers a secret from her sister. This film had won two Academy Awards, one award for the most popular song, you just have to tell the first lyric of the song and the film name.

Answer:  Animation Frozen and the song Let it go

Round 83.

Question: In the box is some electronic stuff. It is very small. But at the begging of electronic era the functions of this thing were performed by a few big cabins stuffed with boards. What is in the box?

Answer: a chip.

Round 84

Question: What does this sign mean? ( a picture).

Answer: corrosion.

Round: 85.

Summary: In a contest, four fruits (an apple, a banana, an orange, and a pear) have been placed in four closed boxes (one fruit per box). People may guess which fruit is in which box. 95 people participate in the contest. When the boxes are opened, it turns out that 28 people have guessed none of the fruits correctly, 33 people have guessed one fruit correctly, and 17 people have guessed two fruits correctly.

Question:How many people have guessed three fruits correctly, and how many people have guessed four fruits correctly?

Answer: 17

Round: 86.

In the black box there is a thing, we like to have (eat) it with rice.if we deduct  last part of its name I mean if we exclude its name a bit, it remains another thing who we adore...what is it?

Answer: catfish

Round 87.

Question: In one famous American TV series a group of medical doctors got in a plane crash. Most of them survived, but there died two people who were in love with each other although it was hard for them to live together and they quarelled all the time. You should tell me the name of the series and the names of these two characters.

Answer: Grey's Anatomy, Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey.

Round 88.

Question: In the black box there is a thing. It has 8 legs and 16 knees. What is it?

Answer: a spider.

Round 89.

Question: In the box is a thing we use to take care of our pets, but some pets consider it as a toy and like to play with it or ask us to use it as intended.

Answer: a brush.

Let's strat voting!

Hi, there! I am going on explaining some phrasal verbs! Today I will tell you the difference between OUT and AWAY. I have already explained OFF. Now, about OUT. This preposition means that some object lost its original properties in full or partially. For example:

A bulb burned out (It doesn't light).

My pants are worn out ( I can still wear them, but they don't look new).

So, when any object loses its properties, they "come OUT' of it. That is why we use the same preposition meaning that any action is directed OUT OF some volume, closed or semi-closed, or just imaginary space meaning that an object (has) left that space or going to leave it. The tenses are not on the subject now.

He went out of the room (he left it).

She looked out of the window (the window was open).

Take your hands out of the pockets (Don't keep them in).

Now, AWAY means to be/get at some distance from a particular place or person.

The sound  was dying away ( The vehicle or whatever it was was moving away from us).

Go away! ( I don't want to see you).

Take it away from here ( same).

Look at these examples:

Go out and go away.

If I say, "GO OUT" I mean my student has to leave a classroom, but he can still stand behind the door listening to my lecture. But If I would say (never say it!) "Go away!" I mean I don't want to see him. In fact, we say something different in such a situation., but not at class. I hope, my explanations are clear. 

And I am waiting for your VERY SHORT stories (the academic year is about to begin) with your phrasal verbs with OUT and AWAY

My dear friends! Posting our grammar tests for rather long we see your main weak points. So, this week, we are posting two other tests.  Tanya will tell you about the gerund, while I will tell you a little about using the modal auxiliaries describing the past.

When we speak/write about the past (not the future past), we mostly use modals followed by the prefect/perfect progressive form of the infinitive. Let’s see, what they mean. I will use DO as a demonstrative verb.

COULD  HAVE  DONE may mean:

1. the lost chance:

He could have entered the university last year (but he didn't).

2. a kind of ironic reproach:

They could have invited us! (but they didn't).

3. Impossibility to do something having a desire to do it (in the negative form).

I couldn't have answered your question yesterday (I wanted, but a) I didn't have enough information; b) I didn't have time).

MIGHT HAVE DONE means POSSIBLY DID.

He might have meant that (but I doubt).

MUST HAVE DONE means MOST PROBABLY DID.

Her eyes were red. She must have been crying ( I was almost sure she had been crying for long).

SHOULD HAVE DONE means I had to do something, but I didn't.

I should have done it yesterday, but I was busy (I didn't do it).

Now, if we want to say that it was necessary to do something and it was done, we should use TO HAVE TO.

Sorry for callling off our date, but I had to be in the office. (and I was there)

Besides, if we know that something was scheduled or assigned and we don't know whether it took place, we usually use TO BE TO.

I know they were to meet (but I don't know if they did).

OUGHT TO HAVE DONE is almost the same as "should have done", but it is more sharp criticism.

I ought to have seen my friend before he died! (but I didn't)

WOULDN'T HAVE DONE means that something didn't work.

The lift wouldn't have worked yestreday.

There has been some theory. And now, I will ask you to rewrite the following sentences using the modal auxiliaries and their synonyms explained above.

1. It was necessary for me to see a dentist long ago, but I hate dentists.

2. I was waiting for her to call, but she didn't ( I feel bad, frustrated, she was able to do it, but she didn't!).

3. Most probably, she was at home, but didn't open the door.

4. He was able to get that job, but he did nothing for that.

5. He was obliged to provide for his kids, but he didn't.

6. It was necessary for me to talk to that person and I canceled all other assingments.

7. It was impossible to start an engine and he took his car to the car service.

8. He, possibly, called me, but I was out.

9. I knew, she agreed to have an interview that day.

10. I was not able to join you for tennis yesterday (but I wanted that so much!)

First of all, I'd like to hear your questions about the theory and your task if any.

Enjoy!

Dear Onee! You are right! I have to add an example.

The given sentence:

It was necessary for me to do it yesterday, but I was busy.

Your answer:

I should have done it yesterday, but I was busy.

Here are the answers:

1. I should have seen a dentist long ago, but I hate dentists.

2. She should (ought to) have called!

3. She must have been at home, but didn't open the door.

4. He could have gotten that job, but he did nothing for that.

5. He ought to have provided for his kids.

6. I had to talk to that person and I canceled all other assingments.

7. The engine wouldn't have started and he took his car to the car service.

8. He might have called me, but I was out.

9. I knew, she was to have an interview that day.

10. I couldn't have joined you for tennis yesterday.

Thank you for participating! I hope, you have learned something from this test.

My dear friends! These days many of my friends tell me they can hardly post their comments or even enter the EC. A few months ago we faced the same problem and solved it with your help. So, I'd like to share my experience with you now. First, I installed BETTERNET, but is didn't help much. So, I installed BROWSEC for Chrome on all our computers and we haven't had any serious connection problems since. I just recommend you to do the same.

Thanks for your attention and have a good time on Sunday!

My friends! I have decided to post a series of blogs dedicated to the phrasal verbs. You see, most of the phrasal verbs are not idioms at all, they are just  combinations of a verb and an appropriate preposition. Today I will tell you about the phrasal verbs with OFF and UP. First of all, you should realize what these prepositions mean.

OFF means that we separate/remove a part of some solid object or disconnect something like wires. For example:

She broke off a bit of a chocolate bar.

The worker cut off the old branches of the tree. 

I was cut off talking to him (there was disconnection).

UP has two different uses:

1. The action is directed upwards.

I looked up at the ceiling.

She came up to the second floor.

2. The action is completed. We can't go on doing the same.

I was hungry and ate up everything on the plate.

She didn't want anyone to read the note and tore it up.

And now, I'd like to ask you to compose either your sentences or a very short stories using your phrasal verbs with OFF and UP. I hope, the idea and your task are clear.

Good luck! And have a great weekend!

Hi, my dear friends! I think it is about time to propose you one more grammar test.  At Onee’s request, I will ask you to fill in the correct prepositions. You have two weeks to complete this test. So, there you go!

1. He is experienced  ___ teaching.
2. She was ashamed ___ asking money ___ her parents.
3. I am accustomed ___ reading.
4. He was right ___ acting ___ his own way.
5. I was surprised ___ seeing her  ___ so many years.
6. I am tired ___ doing nothing.
7. She is good __ singing.
8. He is famous ___ his inventions.
9. He insisted ___ paying for dinner.
10. He was suspected ___ the murder.
11. It is typical ___ her not to admit her mistakes.
12. There is no hope ___ finding any more survivors.
13. You can always count ___ me.
14. Everybody is fed up ___ his rude behavior.
15. He was charged ___ entering.

Have a great time!

The answers:

1. He is experienced in teaching.
2. She was ashamed of asking money from her parents.
3. I am accustomed to reading.
4. He was right in acting in his own way.
5. I was surprised at seeing her after so many years.
6. I am tired of doing nothing.
7. She is good at singing.
8. He is famous for his inventions.
9. He insisted on paying for dinner.
10. He was suspected of the murder.
11. It is typical of her not to admit her mistakes.
12. There is no hope of finding any more survivors.
13. You can always count on me.
14. Everybody is fed up with his rude behavior.
15. He was charged for entering.

My dear friends! I am proposing the test you know well. In such a test you should find and correct all possible mistakes. On the other hand, you shouldn’t change the structure of the sentence or the vocabulary but you may change the word order if it is wrong.. There may be more than one mistake in each sentence.

Let the deadline be August 24.

Here are the sentences.

1. It were much people and not buses on the stop.
2. He was laying still on the bed.
3. Her perfume smelled dizzily.
4. If I had thought I would be laughed on, I wouldn’t say a word.
5. I couldn’t come to the yesterday’s party, even if I wanted.
6. He raised up from the chair to his guests.
7. Having seen his friend, he came toward him.
8. He hadn’t noticed her red eyes and didn’t realize she cried.
9. I had to do it yesterday, but I was busy by teaching.
10. I would appreciate that you tell me that story with details.
11. By go there, you double your chances to get a job.
12. When the teacher assigned the test for Monday, he remembered it would be the holiday.
13. Being heard noise was coming of the worked engine.
14. I object him to come in our place.
15. There isn’t going nowhere in this small town.

Good luck, my friends!

The correct sentences:

1. There were many people and no buses at the stop.
2. He was lying still in __ bed.
3. Her perfume smelt dizzy.
4. If I had thought I was going to be laughed at, I wouldn’t have said a word.
5. I couldn’t have come to __ yesterday’s party, if I even wanted.
6. He rose from the chair toward his guests.
7. Seeing his friend, he came up to him.
8. He didn’t notice her red eyes and didn’t realize she had been crying/had cried.
9. I should have done it yesterday, but I was busy __ teaching.
10. I would appreciate it if you tell me that story in details/I would appreciate your telling me that story in details.
11. By going there, you will double your chances of getting a job.
12. When the teacher had assigned the test for Monday, he remembered it was the holiday.
13. The noise being heard was coming from the working engine.
14. I object to his coming to our place.
15. There is nowhere to go in this small town.

My dear friends! I promised to post the blog about the Carpathians and I am keeping my word! It was an unforgettable rest and I'd like to share my impressions with you.

You may know, that the Carpathian Mountains are the oldest in Europe. They are not very high. The highest peak is about 2000 m tall. But they are so picturesque! I have already told you a little about those places. So, not to repeat myself, I will tell you about our trip to the area called Zakarpatye, i.e., the Western part of that mountain ridge.

There is a fantastic mountain lake Synewyr. The folks call it Sea Eye although the water is fresh there. It appeared right after the end of the Ice Age when glaciers were melting and the mountains were rising. Its square is about 5 hectares and there is a small island not far from the bank. I'd like to tell you the legend related to this lake. Once lived a girl whose name was Syn. In Ukrainian it means "blue'. She was a blue-eyed young girl, a daughter of the local count who owned that land. One day she heard the sound of a reed-pipe (national Ukrainian music instrument) coming from the woods. She followed the sound and saw a great guy playing it. His name was Wyr and they fell in love with each other. But Syn's father was against that union because Wyr was a shepherd. However, the young people didn't want to part and dated secretly. But one day the count ordered his people to kill Wyr, they threw a big stone over him and he died. When Syn saw that, she couldn't help crying. Her tears were so bitter and endless that they made the lake and she was buried in its waters together with her lover. So, that small island, Sea Eye, is the place where they died. Isn't it a romantic story!? 

Well, on our way back ve also visited the unique museum of timber and floatage. I hope, you know what TIMBER is. It is WOOD. But as to floatage, I believe I have to explain. It is a process of delivering timber by rivers from some highlands to the places where it can be loaded onto some transport. So, travelling in the Carpathians we saw such a museum where you can see the way those rafts were made and modern people demonstrating how to float that timber. It is beyoud of my common sense! I am posting one more picture for you to imagine what it is!

Also, we visited a few other interesting places. One of them is The Templars' Castle, the 11th-12th centuries. there left only ruins, but they are impressive anyway. Can you imagine what power Templars had if they reached not only Eastern Europe, but also Middle East?! The other interesting castle we saw is Soenborn's Castle, his hunting lodge. This castle is not old, the 19th century, but looks great anyway. It was reconstructed and is one of the greaterst Ukrainian resorts now. I can tell many stories about that fantastic land, but I do know where to stop. To conclude somehow, I had never had such great rest before this trip. I hope, you will visit the Carpathians one day!

My dear friends! I know, you already played Jeopardy here, but it was long ago. So, I’d like to come up with this idea again. My game will be a little different from Tara’s, but it will be as interesting and captivating as hers. For those who know nothing about that famous American show, here is the link:

http://www.myenglishclub.com/profiles/blogs/lets-play-jeopardy?over...

Tara described it so well that I have nothing to add.

But the rules of my game will be a little different. You are given 10 categories . The idea of the game is following. I am starting the game. I am choosing the category and ask my question. You have to find the correct answer. Each participant has three attempts. If he fails, he is out of the round and can’t take part until after the round is over. The first participant who gives the correct answer can choose a category and ask his question. From that moment, he becomes a host and will have to reply until someone answers his question correctly and so on. I believe, there will be no losers in the game as we all will learn a lot from it. But, to make it more interesting, I have an idea to score the questions. For example, I ask a question and say your correct answer is scored 100-1000. First of all, it will give you an idea about the question, if it is easy nor not. Besides, at the end of a month we will have a winner and he will get some prize ( don’t know which one, but he will get it! Ha-ha).

So, here are the categories:

1. Culture/traditions/customs.

2. Literature/language.

3. Nature/animals/pets.

4. Science/engineering/technology.

5. Music/art/architecture.

6. History/philosophy.

7. Movies/theater/TV.

8. Gastronomy/cuisines.

9. Sports.

10. General knowledge.

11. Puzzles/numbers.

12. A Black Box.

Well, I am adding one more category. It is from another intellectual game, but I hope you don't mind. So, the category "A Black Box". In this category we mean that we have put some object (it may be a living thing) into a black box and would like others to guess what it is. In the question, we should describe that object in some mysterious way, but the question should contain an indicerct answer. The question may be a riddle, some saying, some story, some history, whatever you like. As soon as I ask my question, I will choose this category and show you what I mean.

And here are our rules.

1.   Each participant has 3 attempts to give the correct answer.

2.   The answer may be a single word, a proper noun, a phrase, a quotation, whatever.

3.   A winner should ask his question within the given categories naming the category and scoring his question. Any host can ask video/audio questions. Any question should contain some hints/clues.

4. A winner may refuse from asking the question. In this case, I choose the next host or ask myself.

5.   A host of the round doesn’t give any hints and answers only YES/NO.

6.   You may google or get the information from any sources.

So, if you like it, let’s start!

But, before asking my question, I’d like to say, we can still change the categories and the rules. Just let me know, OK?

So, here is my first quiz question:

Category: literature.

Score: 500.

Question: the hero of the famous trilogy who crossed the English Cannel twice to save honor of his queen.

Your answer should be the name of the hero. It will be great if you add the name of the writer and fiction.

I’d like to say a few words about scoring. If I played with Europeans/Americans only I would score this question not more than 200. But, playing with the world community I score it 500 taking into account that young people don't like to read much. Ha-ha! I hope, you all know this hero! Ha-ha!

Let’s start and we will always be able to improve the game in the process.

Have a great, funny weekend!

SCORES (August)

Peppo 1950

Serene 6850

ELF 1350

A738a 2200

Noas 3700

AFRO 7650

SNR 300

Onee 1700

Lady Noor 200

Batuhan 400

Mishaikh 1500

RK 200

My dear friends! As Tanya and I like gaming Onee's Guess my word, we would like to come up with the idea of another game, something like American Jeopardy. I will explain what we mean in a few words. In this game there will be a few fields of knowledge like literature, social life, science, etc. And a winner of a previous game will be able to choose the option. Then, he/she will have to answer our question. If he fails, other memebers will be able to do it. We haven't thought over the detailes yet, but I hope you will prompt us if Josef approves our activities.

Dear Josef! We ask you very much to react! Thank you in advance!

Dear friends! Both Tanya and I are on vacation in Ukraine now. As Kiev is Tanya's native city and she has some property, friends and relatives here, we haven't had any rest since we arrived. Now, we have had everything done in Kiev and are going to have some rest in the mountains hoping for cooler weather and being able to forget about civilizaton there. So, we will not be online for a week or longer. If you still have some questions or would like to take part in our last activities, we ask you to do it today or tomorrow for us to be able to react. 

We will be back, I promis!

My friends! I'd like to propose you a new challenge with the following phrasal verbs:

to call up - to phone;

to call on - to visit a person;

to call off - to cancel;

to call for - to  come somewhere in order to get someone or something;

to call down - to reprimand, to scould;

to stick to - to adhere/glue to smthg/smbd;

to stick around - to be somewhere around, not far;

to break off - to put the end to the relationship;

to break loose - to escape from usual responsibilities and to start doing some unexpectable things.

As you may see, I am proposing you to wrire about the continuation and the consequences of the first American date! Ha-ha! But I will be happy to read and correct any stories with these verbs. I ask you to post your stories here, OK? It will be easier for us to correct them and for others to read.

Looking forward to your amazing stories!

Have a great week!

My dear friends! As I have nothing to do while my wife is so busy swearing Russian at the construction workers repairing our Kiev apartment, I have decided to post a grammar test using Tanya’s materials. Please, be sure, I have consulted her and will do it any time I am not sure how to explain your mistakes. I think you already know such tests. I am posting 15 sentences.  There is at least one mistake in each sentence, but there may be more. The mistakes are not underlined. So, your task is to find and correct all mistakes. You may google or use any grammar books you like. You may also look through Tanya’s previous tests (blogs) and our discussion “Daily practice” (our group). You may ask me your questions any time. Besides, I have to remind you, it a grammar test. So, don’t try to change vocabulary. You may replace the prepositions, articles, some/any , etc.  When you all are done, Tanya will explain all the mistakes.

So, here is your task:

1. No sooner he entered, when he saw   somebody broke into his apartment and stole all silver.
2. It is not excuse that you dropped out of the university.
3. A boy started to write a letter for his father left to Afghanistan.
4. She complains always not to be understood because her strong accent.
5. If I had been told, I would start to teach English, I wouldn’t believe that.
6. We were listening his play piano.
7. The first thing we have to do is booking the tickets.
8. I wish he didn’t get married!
9. It is about time for we to leave (but we are not leaving).
10. Is something  wrong ?
11. He is good in playing the chess.
12. Have you heard a news over a radio?
13. Taking a shower and changing quickly, he rushed out as she waited for him.
14. The constructed school will be opened by the end of the summer. (The school has not been finished, yet!)
15. Asking  the direction he thought he might find his way.

What else can I say?! I wish you good luck and a great weekend! Hope to hear from you soon!

June 25. Here are the correct sentences.

1. No sooner had he entered, than he saw somebody had broken into his apartment and stolen all silver.
2. There is no excuse for your dropping out of the university.
3. The boy started writing a letter to his father who had left for Afghanistan.
4. She always complains of not being understood because of her strong accent.
5. If I had been told, I was going to start teaching English, I wouldn’t believe that.
6. We were listening to him playing the piano.
7. The first thing for us to do is to book the tickets.
8. I wish he hadn’t got married!
9. It is about time that we left (but we are not leaving).
10. Is (there) anything wrong ?
11. He is good at playing __ chess.
12. Have you heard the news on the radio?
13. Having quickly taken a shower and changed__ (or After taking a shower and changing quickly), he rushed out as she was waiting for him.
14. The__ school being constructed will have been opened by the end of the summer.
15. After asking (or Having asked)  for the direction he thought he would (be able to) find his way.

You all were great. Thanks for participation!

My friends! I'd like to propose you one more writing task. Analyzing the results of my "American" tests I have decided to start this challenge. First of all, I'd like to say that a date/dating is a very positive word. Even 12-14 year old kids date. Males ask felames to go out with them just to have fun,  to communicate and to learn more about each other. But if we speak about adults, nobody knows the end! Ha-ha! So, my task is the following. I will give you a list of American words you should use in your stories because I ask you to write about an American date. I hope your stories will be breathtaking, emotional and humorous.

Well, here are the words you are expected to use in your writing. Sure, you don't have to use all the words and you may add some other American words you know.

1.  go out with
2.  date
3.  streetcar
4.  amusements/cotton candy/ice lolly
5.  restaurant
6.  appetizer
7.  entree/side dish/salad/dressing
8.  Steak rear/medium rear/ medium/well done
9.  hire a car
10.  windshield/ blinker
11.  slow down
12.  apartment building
13.  bathroom.
14.  teddy
15.  latte
16.  pants
17.  suspenders
18.  evening gown
19.  tuxedo
20.  reception

Hope to hear from you soon! Have a great weekend!

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.

Hi again, my dear friends!

As my first blog on American synonyms attracted your attention, I hope the second will also arouse your interest and we all will have a lot of fun here! Ha-ha-ha!

So, you know what to do, don’t you? You should find American synonyms of the given British words. As always, I will comment your replies and give you some hints. Sure, if you are not sure what is on the picture, you can always ask me to explain.

Well, here is the list of British words:

1. White coffee - latte
2. Aperitif - appetizer
3. Main dish - entree
4. Garnish/trimming - side dish
5. Holiday - vacation
6. Party frock/dress - evening gown
7. Tram - streetcar/trolley car
8. Windscreen- windshield
9. Candy floss - cotton candy
10. Jacket potato - baked potato
11. Indicator - blinker/turn signal
12. Queue - line
13. High street - main street
14. First floor - second floor
15. Block of flats - apartment building.

Dear friends! Living in America, I may have some doubts about a few given British words, I mean I am unsure if they are only British or common. So, if you are a British native speaker or live in the UK, I will be thankful for the corrections or explanations if any. But because of the same reason, I have no doubts in the American synonyms you should find. So, go ahead!

Let May 30 be the deadline, OK?

Have a lot of fun and great weekend!

June 2. My friends! I have  posted the correct answers. The test is over. Thank you all!

Dear friends! After the thorough analyzis of the test on American synonyms, I can't help posting this blog. I think this word was the hardest of all. In fact, most of men know what braces are and wear them from time to time to make the pants not hang. We often put them on under suit coats/jackets for our ladies not to be confused with our outfit. I realize some ladies may not know this word, but all men should if they want to look good in public places. So, I'd like to share with you the answers I got as the synonyms.

Here they are:

1. retainers

2. gird

3. grippers

4. fences (unbelievable!)

5. belts

6. stripes

7. holder of shirt (it is the best!)

8. straps

9. clasps

10. catches.

Let me tell you that all are wrong! And most of people who took part in my test speak very good English! So, for you all to know, THE AMERICAN WORD FOR BRACES IS SUSPENDERS.

I hope you will remember it buying braces in America.

Thanks for your attention!

My dear friends! My new task will be about English proverbs. The idea of the task is the following. I am posting five proverbs asking you to tell what they mean. Sure, I will help you as always. When you realize their meanings, I will ask you to use each of them in your writing. It may be any kind of writing: a dialogue, a monologue, a short story, whatever you like. If someone knows the meaning of the proverb for sure, he/she can start writing at once. Your texts shouldn’t be long for us to be able to correct them and to explain your mistakes. Is your task clear? Hope so!

Well, here are the proverbs:

1.      Every cloud has a silver lining.

2.      Two is a company, but three is none.

3.      Dog eat dog.

4.      Old birds are not to be caught with chaff.

5.      As you brew, so much you drink.

Have a great time! 

My dear friends, as I am used to saying, our great learners and thankful fans! As a result of my previous test on American synonyms, I can’t help posting this blog for each and all of you to feel comfortable if you visit my country one day! Ha-ha-ha! So, this blog is a kind of a joke, but all information is real and I think you should know what I am going to tell you.

So, A TOILET, a place we all visit a few times a day not to manure the land all around! Some people even call it “my favorite place” as it is the only one place for them to feel alone.

Let’s start!

 A TOILET is an international word like taxi or metro. And now I will tell you what words we use in America, OK?

1. A BATHROOM is at home. If we have guests and I need to go there, I usually say, I have to make a call or get something from the kitchen or something like that.
2. A RESTROOM is in the most of public places. Being a man, I say “I’ll be back right away” and go to the MEN’S ROOM. Our ladies say “I have to powder my nose” and go to the LADIES’ ROOM.
3. A LAVATORY is in some public transport like planes, trains, buses. If you travel alone, you don’t have to say anything, just go there!
4.  A WASHROOM is also American, but is not so common. It is like a RESTROOM or BATHROOM.
5. W.C. may be written on the doors of a restroom in some public places.
6. JOHN is a slang word.

I hope, you will not be lost in the USA now!  MY BIG SMILE!