Reprinted from European Vibe Magazine ( http://www.europeanvibe.com/ )
A tale of warning to Americans without papers
Let’s face it, Spain has hardly been like Fort Knox to get into for non-EU citizens without residence permits over the last few years. Among the countless people of different nationalities to be living in Spain less than 100% legally, many Americans could be found rather less worried about being apprehended than the average extra-comunitario. Whether racism or classism is to blame for the authorities’ discrepancy in treatment of US passport holders and, say, Chinese, Peruvian or Senegalese nationals, things are changing. Johnny found out about the crack down more suddenly than he would have hoped.
As difficult as it was returning to snowy Madrid after a three week hiatus in sunny Florida - grumpy with jetlag, disappointed that no one had rolled out the red carpet for me in welcome, and frustrated over my fruitless search for a new flat, it was certainly hard to complain given the circumstances of my two best madrileño mates.
While recovering from the 20-hour trip and shivering through layers of socks and sleeves, hopelessly browsing the disorganized Spanish apartment sites and cursing under my breath at the time-wasting Nigerian scam ads, my flatmate to be was facing a very different set of frustrations altogether, making my petty problems shrink to shreds of insignificance.
Most of you have probably noticed by now the lackadaisical lethargy which typifies the Barajas Airport staff (and come to think of it, characterizes Spanish people-facing services in general), and how easily one can get from point A (the terminal gate) to point B (the fresh air of chain smoking cabbies on the outside).
Well, instead of skipping merrily through customs like the rest of us after a quick passport glance, my flatmate had the misfortune to happen upon an atypically attentive Spanish immigration agent. Having taught English here like so many others without working papers for the entirety of the fall and using up his three month tourist time limit, the stamped dates on his passport sold him out as quickly as he could say cerveza. And with his broken, perhaps even shattered, grasp of the Spanish language, there was no possible way of talking himself out of the situation. The passport stamps spoke for themselves.
Now, first, let me say that I’ve come across many a teacher who’s overstayed their welcome here by a solid three years plus and have never even flirted with the danger of deportation. Going a step further, not one of these teachers, or even a ‘lifer’ expat for that matter has been able to recall a single one incident of an American teacher being deported or denied entry back into Spain resulting from passport issues. Not one. So then why my flatmate? Seriously? Well, after examining the situation a little more in depth, it seems that it was a combination of factors. First, he had decided to take the cheap route and fly standby on a buddy pass. And, with his flight date being at the tail end of the holiday season, waiting to catch an open seat on a flight to Madrid proved to be much more difficult than planned. Long story short, after six nights of sleeping on cardboard boxes in airport terminals without a shower or shave, he found himself drowsily handing over his passport at customs. It also didn’t help that he’d washed his passport accidentally on multiple occasions, leaving it wrinkled, faded, and suspicious enough to warrant an ill-fated second glance.
So there my shaggy-haired amigo was: sporting a week’s worth of scruff to rival Grizzly Adams; eyes red and puffy with exhaustion; funky, stale body odour from a week without washing wafting through the customs line; and handing over his battered passport to immigration.
The official’s eyebrows raised in suspicion of this human overload of senses and stench; eyes flicking from face to passport and back several times before turning the page to discover the incriminating August entry date. Silently, he did the math, counting in months on his fingers and moving his lips silently to be sure – five months! Without hesitation, he then called up his superior, telling my flatmate to wait.
So there he stood, heart fluttering with that nervous, “Oh-shit-I’m-busted” feeling for a few minutes before being summoned to another room for questioning – in Spanish. Through what I imagine was lots of animated body language and sentence fragments, the Spanish immigration officials managed to communicate one thing quite clearly: “You’re not getting in.” What followed was a 24-hour drama that involved my friend hiring an abogado, heated arguments from his Spanish-speaking British girlfriend, and yet another sleepless night in yet another airport. In the end, the authorities refused to budge, and promptly sent him back to the last airport he came from (apparently, if you get stopped at the airport, it doesn’t matter where you live or need to go, they just send you right back in the direction you came), and put him on a three-month European probation.
Of course, the weekend wasn’t over yet, and as the snow melted from crisp wintery white to coke-slushy brown the gato gods had one more trick left to play. I had just gotten into bed on Sunday night when I received a text from another good friend of mine: “Dude I just got arrested. I’m in jail and am getting deported.” I had just seen this guy an hour earlier, so how in the hell did this happen so quickly? Sceptically, I texted him back, “Not a good joke,” but received no response. I then called his flatmate as well, also to no avail.
Starting to worry once again, but feeling more concerned about my Monday morning alarm clock, I drifted into a restless sleep full of deportation nightmares. The next day when I awoke, I was pleased to find that my friend had been released from Spanish captivity. As it turns out, he was stopped in the Cuatro Caminos metro station by the police, who were looking for a fugitive in the area. When they asked my friend for some form of identification, he searched his vacant pockets, realizing with regret that he’d left both passport and driving licence at his flat. And unfortunately for him, it’s illegal to be in public without official identification over here (abonos don’t count either). So following their suspicions, the cops put my friend in cuffs, sat him in the back of a squad car, and drove him to a station with holding cells where he was repeatedly questioned, forced to stay the night, and issued an order to be deported pending trial within a six-month period.
The thing I don’t get and probably never will is that my friend was here illegally for six months, but instead of kicking him immediately to the curb; they’re letting him stay until if and when the papers go through. And even better is the fact that according to his lawyer (coincidentally, the same lawyer as my friend who was deported in the airport), if the paper work doesn’t go through within that six-month period due to Spanish disorganization/procrastination, then his case will be thrown out and he can stay. If the papers are processed however, then he’s banished from the European continent for six to nine years! Ouch.
So, for any of you who’ve exhausted your three-month visa here, be careful. Always say you’re a tourist, be sure to have ID on you at all times, avoid areas with a high number of immigrants, and if you’re flying direct to Madrid from the States, please take note of your personal hygiene and appearance (probably a good idea to keep your passport in mint condition, too). As for me? Well, with two friends less in the phone book, what else is a guy to do but sit back, sip a Mahou, and give the nearest wood a good knuckle knockin’ in the hopes that my luck won’t so soon run out.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Phrasal Verb Exercises "About"
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Phrasal Verb Exercise “About”
Mark the correct answer.
1. In my new job I'm stuck in my office. I wish I could ______ about a bit more.
a. Lay
b. get
c. cast
d. hear
2. We don't have any firm plans when we get to California. Our intention is to ______ about for a few days.
a. drift
b. cast
c. hear
d. set
3. Those auditors are obsessed with all the details. They ______ about everywhere looking for irregularities.
a. cast
b. lay
c. root
d. fool
4. I had a lot of problems getting my spreadsheet to look nice. I had to ______ about with it for ages.
a. lounge
b. lay
c. fiddle
d. cast
5. I'm fed up with you being so unhelpful. If you ______ me about any more, I'm going to complain to your Head Office.
a. mope
b. much
c. lounge
d. get
6. Don't ______ about. We've got to get this finished quickly.
a. mess
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
7. The appointment was at 10.00 but I had to ______ about for almost an hour before he could see me.
a. wait
b. lay
c. cast
d. hear
8. Changes need to be made but I have absolutely no idea how to ______ about making those changes.
a. lay
b. lounge
c. mope
d. set
9. If you've got a problem with your computer, ask Mark. He ______ all about computers.
a. mopes
b. lounges
c. knows
d. fools
10. I already knew you were leaving. There's not much you don't ______ about in this place.
a. mope
b. fool
c. hear
d. lounge
11. The project is completely blocked and they are trying to ______ about for a solution.
a. mope
b. lay
c. lounge
d. cast
12. Everybody knows. News ______ about fast here.
a. mopes
b. lounges
c. fools
d. gets
13. Please take this seriously. Don't ______ about.
a. cast
b. hear
c. fool
d. get
14. They never get any work done. They just ______ about all day.
a. lounge
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
15. Since he didn't get the promotion he spends all day walking around looking sad. I didn't think he was the sort to ______ about like that.
a. mope
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
16. I'm not sure where it is exactly but I know it's ______ around somewhere.
a. kicking
b. tinkering
c. hurling
d. going
17. He got really angry and started ______ things about. One book almost hit me.
a. tinkering
b. going
c. kicking
d. hurling
18. You've got no business ______ about saying things about me.
a. tinkering
b. hurling
c. going
d. kicking
19. There's no point in ______ about with this document. It's useless. We'll have to start again.
a. tinkering
b. hurling
c. going
d. kicking
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Phrasal Verb Exercise “About”
Mark the correct answer.
1. In my new job I'm stuck in my office. I wish I could ______ about a bit more.
a. Lay
b. get
c. cast
d. hear
2. We don't have any firm plans when we get to California. Our intention is to ______ about for a few days.
a. drift
b. cast
c. hear
d. set
3. Those auditors are obsessed with all the details. They ______ about everywhere looking for irregularities.
a. cast
b. lay
c. root
d. fool
4. I had a lot of problems getting my spreadsheet to look nice. I had to ______ about with it for ages.
a. lounge
b. lay
c. fiddle
d. cast
5. I'm fed up with you being so unhelpful. If you ______ me about any more, I'm going to complain to your Head Office.
a. mope
b. much
c. lounge
d. get
6. Don't ______ about. We've got to get this finished quickly.
a. mess
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
7. The appointment was at 10.00 but I had to ______ about for almost an hour before he could see me.
a. wait
b. lay
c. cast
d. hear
8. Changes need to be made but I have absolutely no idea how to ______ about making those changes.
a. lay
b. lounge
c. mope
d. set
9. If you've got a problem with your computer, ask Mark. He ______ all about computers.
a. mopes
b. lounges
c. knows
d. fools
10. I already knew you were leaving. There's not much you don't ______ about in this place.
a. mope
b. fool
c. hear
d. lounge
11. The project is completely blocked and they are trying to ______ about for a solution.
a. mope
b. lay
c. lounge
d. cast
12. Everybody knows. News ______ about fast here.
a. mopes
b. lounges
c. fools
d. gets
13. Please take this seriously. Don't ______ about.
a. cast
b. hear
c. fool
d. get
14. They never get any work done. They just ______ about all day.
a. lounge
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
15. Since he didn't get the promotion he spends all day walking around looking sad. I didn't think he was the sort to ______ about like that.
a. mope
b. hear
c. cast
d. get
16. I'm not sure where it is exactly but I know it's ______ around somewhere.
a. kicking
b. tinkering
c. hurling
d. going
17. He got really angry and started ______ things about. One book almost hit me.
a. tinkering
b. going
c. kicking
d. hurling
18. You've got no business ______ about saying things about me.
a. tinkering
b. hurling
c. going
d. kicking
19. There's no point in ______ about with this document. It's useless. We'll have to start again.
a. tinkering
b. hurling
c. going
d. kicking
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Phrasal Verb Quiz "Back"
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Phrasal Verb Exercises:
Back
Circle the correct answer
1. We used to be the market leader but I’m afraid we have now ______ back into third place.
a. set
b. dropped
c. started
d. put
2. I’m I'm a very shy person. When I go to a cocktail party I tend to ______ back and wait for people to talk to me.
a. hang
b. set
c. cut
d. get
3. I think we're too close to this problem. What we need to do is to ______ back from it and try to get an overview of it.
a. send
b. start
c. cut
d. stand
4. I'm a bit unclear about some of these figures. Can we ______ back over the details again?
a. cut
b. go
c. set
d. get
5. This isn't something I deal with. Hold the line whilst I ______ Sammy back on to speak to you.
a. cut
b. put
c. start
d. send
6. I'm not sure I agree with that bit of the report. Could you ______ it back to me again?
a. read
b. start
c. set
d. put
7. I think he's got a drinking problem. Whilst I was having one drink, he ______ back four.
a. got
b. cut
c. pulled
d. knocked
8. It's a terrible pity that Andy has decided to leave us. He's going to be difficult to replace. It will probably ______ back our work by three or four months.
a. start
b. set
c. send
d. get
9. The market is heading for recession. We're going to have to ______ back on our expenditure.
a. set
b. cut
c. put
d. get
10. That's too much money for us to spend at present. We'll have to ______ back buying it until we have more funds.
a. send
b. put
c. cut
d. get
11. When the computer arrived it had the wrong size hard disk so we ______ it back to the manufacturer.
a. set
b. cut
c. sent
d. put
12. We knew the journey was going to be long and complicated so we decided to ______ back early.
a. send
b. drop
c. start
d. put
13. I know I made a big mistake last year but you don't have to keep ______ it back at me.
a. getting
b. throwing
c. setting
d. starting
14. John improved for a time after we spoke to him but then he ______ back into his old ways.
a. cut
b. sank
c. sent
d. put
15. We have lost a lot of market share in India. We must find a way to ______ it back.
a. win
b. send
c. cut
d. put
16. Sorry, I cannot answer that straight away. Can I ______ back to you on that?
a. cut
b. put
c. set
d. get
17. We've not been able to meet demand and we've got a huge ______ of orders.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
18. You're quite sure that there won't be any complaints or criticisms? I don't want any ______ on this.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
19. The explosion in the testbed is a major _____ to our research.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
20. We're very grateful for your comments about our product. It's always useful to get ______ from users.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Phrasal Verb Exercises:
Back
Circle the correct answer
1. We used to be the market leader but I’m afraid we have now ______ back into third place.
a. set
b. dropped
c. started
d. put
2. I’m I'm a very shy person. When I go to a cocktail party I tend to ______ back and wait for people to talk to me.
a. hang
b. set
c. cut
d. get
3. I think we're too close to this problem. What we need to do is to ______ back from it and try to get an overview of it.
a. send
b. start
c. cut
d. stand
4. I'm a bit unclear about some of these figures. Can we ______ back over the details again?
a. cut
b. go
c. set
d. get
5. This isn't something I deal with. Hold the line whilst I ______ Sammy back on to speak to you.
a. cut
b. put
c. start
d. send
6. I'm not sure I agree with that bit of the report. Could you ______ it back to me again?
a. read
b. start
c. set
d. put
7. I think he's got a drinking problem. Whilst I was having one drink, he ______ back four.
a. got
b. cut
c. pulled
d. knocked
8. It's a terrible pity that Andy has decided to leave us. He's going to be difficult to replace. It will probably ______ back our work by three or four months.
a. start
b. set
c. send
d. get
9. The market is heading for recession. We're going to have to ______ back on our expenditure.
a. set
b. cut
c. put
d. get
10. That's too much money for us to spend at present. We'll have to ______ back buying it until we have more funds.
a. send
b. put
c. cut
d. get
11. When the computer arrived it had the wrong size hard disk so we ______ it back to the manufacturer.
a. set
b. cut
c. sent
d. put
12. We knew the journey was going to be long and complicated so we decided to ______ back early.
a. send
b. drop
c. start
d. put
13. I know I made a big mistake last year but you don't have to keep ______ it back at me.
a. getting
b. throwing
c. setting
d. starting
14. John improved for a time after we spoke to him but then he ______ back into his old ways.
a. cut
b. sank
c. sent
d. put
15. We have lost a lot of market share in India. We must find a way to ______ it back.
a. win
b. send
c. cut
d. put
16. Sorry, I cannot answer that straight away. Can I ______ back to you on that?
a. cut
b. put
c. set
d. get
17. We've not been able to meet demand and we've got a huge ______ of orders.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
18. You're quite sure that there won't be any complaints or criticisms? I don't want any ______ on this.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
19. The explosion in the testbed is a major _____ to our research.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
20. We're very grateful for your comments about our product. It's always useful to get ______ from users.
a. setback
b. backlog
c. comeback
d. feedback
Phrasal Verb Quiz "A" Mixture
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
A mixture
Circle the correct answer
1. Staff who refused to ______ by the new rules were fired.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. angle
d. arrive
e. attend
2. I hope they don't serve seafood. It just doesn't ______ with me.
a. abide
b. agree
c. angle
d. ask
e. associate
3. We're ______ at doubling production by the end of the century.
a. according
b. aiming
c. answering
d. asking
e. associating
4. I need to call the technician. My machine is ______ up.
a. acting
b. aiming
c. angling
d. arriving
e. attending
5. I'll deal with it as soon as I can but I've got another couple of matters to ______ to first.
a. accord
b. agree
c. answer
d. arrive
e. attend
6. Even ______ for exaggeration, it sounds like Jordi was really incompetent.
a. acting
b. allowing
c. amounting
d. asking
e. associating
7. I saw Simon the other day and he was after you.
a. according
b. adhering
c. answering
d. asking
e. averaging
8. The changes introduced have not ______ to anything very significant.
a. added
b. adhered
c. amounted
d. asked
e. associated
9. I don't understand why she's going to a new job with less pay and longer hours. It just doesn't ______ up.
a. add
b. adhere
c. amount
d. arrive
e. attend
10. Diplomacy is not a quality I'd normally ______ with Dorothy.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. answer
d. arrive
e. associate
11. The working atmosphere has gone downhill since you joined. You have a lot to ______ for.
a. abide
b. agree
c. answer
d. ask
e. attribute
12. Although I may appear to be autonomous, I have to ______ to a manager in the Basel head office.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. answer
d. ask
e. average
13. We negotiated with the unions for several hours but weren't able to ______ at an agreement.
a. abide
b. agree
c. angle
d. arrive
e. attribute
14. Absenteeism per employee ______ out at 4 days a year.
a. acts
b. aims
c. answers
d. arrives
e. averages
15. This company has always ______ to a strict no-smoking policy.
a. acted
b. adhered
c. amounted
d. asked
e. attended
16. I don't know the answer myself but I'll ______ around and see if anybody else knows.
a. accord
b. aim
c. answer
d. ask
e. attend
17. Bob's always sucking up to the boss. I guess he's ______ for promotion.
a. acting
b. adhering
c. angling
d. amounting
e. associating
18. She's the best assistant I've ever had. I couldn't ______ for a better one.
a. abide
b. agree
c. answer
d. ask
e. average
19. Jim's version of the facts doesn't ______ with the version I heard from Jules.
a. accord
b. argue
c. amount
d. arrive
e. attend
20. He ______ his success to hard work.
a. abides
b. aims
c. angles
d. arrives
e. attributes
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
A mixture
Circle the correct answer
1. Staff who refused to ______ by the new rules were fired.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. angle
d. arrive
e. attend
2. I hope they don't serve seafood. It just doesn't ______ with me.
a. abide
b. agree
c. angle
d. ask
e. associate
3. We're ______ at doubling production by the end of the century.
a. according
b. aiming
c. answering
d. asking
e. associating
4. I need to call the technician. My machine is ______ up.
a. acting
b. aiming
c. angling
d. arriving
e. attending
5. I'll deal with it as soon as I can but I've got another couple of matters to ______ to first.
a. accord
b. agree
c. answer
d. arrive
e. attend
6. Even ______ for exaggeration, it sounds like Jordi was really incompetent.
a. acting
b. allowing
c. amounting
d. asking
e. associating
7. I saw Simon the other day and he was after you.
a. according
b. adhering
c. answering
d. asking
e. averaging
8. The changes introduced have not ______ to anything very significant.
a. added
b. adhered
c. amounted
d. asked
e. associated
9. I don't understand why she's going to a new job with less pay and longer hours. It just doesn't ______ up.
a. add
b. adhere
c. amount
d. arrive
e. attend
10. Diplomacy is not a quality I'd normally ______ with Dorothy.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. answer
d. arrive
e. associate
11. The working atmosphere has gone downhill since you joined. You have a lot to ______ for.
a. abide
b. agree
c. answer
d. ask
e. attribute
12. Although I may appear to be autonomous, I have to ______ to a manager in the Basel head office.
a. abide
b. adhere
c. answer
d. ask
e. average
13. We negotiated with the unions for several hours but weren't able to ______ at an agreement.
a. abide
b. agree
c. angle
d. arrive
e. attribute
14. Absenteeism per employee ______ out at 4 days a year.
a. acts
b. aims
c. answers
d. arrives
e. averages
15. This company has always ______ to a strict no-smoking policy.
a. acted
b. adhered
c. amounted
d. asked
e. attended
16. I don't know the answer myself but I'll ______ around and see if anybody else knows.
a. accord
b. aim
c. answer
d. ask
e. attend
17. Bob's always sucking up to the boss. I guess he's ______ for promotion.
a. acting
b. adhering
c. angling
d. amounting
e. associating
18. She's the best assistant I've ever had. I couldn't ______ for a better one.
a. abide
b. agree
c. answer
d. ask
e. average
19. Jim's version of the facts doesn't ______ with the version I heard from Jules.
a. accord
b. argue
c. amount
d. arrive
e. attend
20. He ______ his success to hard work.
a. abides
b. aims
c. angles
d. arrives
e. attributes
Phrasal Verb Quiz "Away"
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Away Phrasal Verbs
Circle the correct answer
1. We were hoping for a big attendance at the Show but the rail strike and the snow meant most people decided to ______ away.
a. stay
b. plug
c. wear
d. hammer
2. They were interested in buying a stake in the company but when they heard the police were investigating financial irregularities they decided to ______ away from the deal.
a. strip
b. back
c. idle
d. give
3. The company is trying to ______ away from traditional engineering products and into consumer goods.
a. strip
b. move
c. rot
d. plug
4. The research unit is well protected by security guards whose job is to ______ away unwanted visitors.
a. back
b. keep
c. wear
d. strip
5. I'm afraid Mr Smith cannot see you today. He has been ______ away on urgent business.
a. stayed
b. scared
c. called
d. walked
6. Nobody wants to buy these. I doubt if we could even ______ them away!
a. back
b. give
c. rot
d. strip
7. The unions in the company are very aggressive and that has ______ away potential buyers.
a. stripped
b. scared
c. worn
d. hammered
8. They were left out in the open with no protection, got wet and ______ away.
a. rotted
b. hammered
c. idled
d. plugged
9. We'd offered him the job and we thought he had accepted but at the last minute he was ______ away from us by one of our competitors.
a. backed
b. lured
c. worn
d. plugged
10. It looks solid from the outside but when you ______ away the outer coating you can see it is in fact hollow on the inside.
a. stay
b. strip
c. idle
d. give
11. He did mention this problem but it was ______ away in the middle of a long paragraph at the bottom of page eight.
a. backed
b. hammered
c. worn
d. buried
12. Your brakes have almost completely ______ away. If you don't get them fixed, you'll have a serious accident.
a. stayed
b. hammered
c. idled
d. worn
13. I anticipated a shortage of this product so I ______ some away for an emergency.
a. gave
b. stashed
c. rotted
d. walked
14. I was very pleased when I visited your office. Everybody was ______ away at their work really hard. You really know how to motivate people.
a. backing
b. hammering
c. rotting
d. plugging
15. Unless you improve your offer dramatically, we are going to ______ away from these negotiations.
a. give
b. scare
c. wear
d. walk
16. Don't worry about the plans. I've got them ______ away in my safe.
a. backed
b. locked
c. rotted
d. plugged
17. He was left with no real work to do for his last 3 months with the company and just ______ away the days in his office, phoning friends and playing games on his computer.
a. backed
b. scared
c. idled
d. walked
18. After a nice meal at his place, we ______ away the table and began to work seriously.
a. stayed
b. scared
c. rotted
d. cleared
19. I don't know if we'll ever use it again. I'm reluctant to ______ it away if we might need it again.
a. throw
b. scare
c. wear
d. walk
20. I'm not very good at working with computers but I continue to ______ away at it until I get it right.
a. stay
b. plug
c. wear
d. walk
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Away Phrasal Verbs
Circle the correct answer
1. We were hoping for a big attendance at the Show but the rail strike and the snow meant most people decided to ______ away.
a. stay
b. plug
c. wear
d. hammer
2. They were interested in buying a stake in the company but when they heard the police were investigating financial irregularities they decided to ______ away from the deal.
a. strip
b. back
c. idle
d. give
3. The company is trying to ______ away from traditional engineering products and into consumer goods.
a. strip
b. move
c. rot
d. plug
4. The research unit is well protected by security guards whose job is to ______ away unwanted visitors.
a. back
b. keep
c. wear
d. strip
5. I'm afraid Mr Smith cannot see you today. He has been ______ away on urgent business.
a. stayed
b. scared
c. called
d. walked
6. Nobody wants to buy these. I doubt if we could even ______ them away!
a. back
b. give
c. rot
d. strip
7. The unions in the company are very aggressive and that has ______ away potential buyers.
a. stripped
b. scared
c. worn
d. hammered
8. They were left out in the open with no protection, got wet and ______ away.
a. rotted
b. hammered
c. idled
d. plugged
9. We'd offered him the job and we thought he had accepted but at the last minute he was ______ away from us by one of our competitors.
a. backed
b. lured
c. worn
d. plugged
10. It looks solid from the outside but when you ______ away the outer coating you can see it is in fact hollow on the inside.
a. stay
b. strip
c. idle
d. give
11. He did mention this problem but it was ______ away in the middle of a long paragraph at the bottom of page eight.
a. backed
b. hammered
c. worn
d. buried
12. Your brakes have almost completely ______ away. If you don't get them fixed, you'll have a serious accident.
a. stayed
b. hammered
c. idled
d. worn
13. I anticipated a shortage of this product so I ______ some away for an emergency.
a. gave
b. stashed
c. rotted
d. walked
14. I was very pleased when I visited your office. Everybody was ______ away at their work really hard. You really know how to motivate people.
a. backing
b. hammering
c. rotting
d. plugging
15. Unless you improve your offer dramatically, we are going to ______ away from these negotiations.
a. give
b. scare
c. wear
d. walk
16. Don't worry about the plans. I've got them ______ away in my safe.
a. backed
b. locked
c. rotted
d. plugged
17. He was left with no real work to do for his last 3 months with the company and just ______ away the days in his office, phoning friends and playing games on his computer.
a. backed
b. scared
c. idled
d. walked
18. After a nice meal at his place, we ______ away the table and began to work seriously.
a. stayed
b. scared
c. rotted
d. cleared
19. I don't know if we'll ever use it again. I'm reluctant to ______ it away if we might need it again.
a. throw
b. scare
c. wear
d. walk
20. I'm not very good at working with computers but I continue to ______ away at it until I get it right.
a. stay
b. plug
c. wear
d. walk
Conversation Lesson
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
First World Obligation
Activity: Debate concerning the responsibility of First World countries to help Third World countries
Level: Upper-intermediate to advanced
Outline:
• Review language used when expressing opinions, disagreeing, making comments on other person's point of view, etc. (See work sheet)
• Discuss the differences between what is considered a First World Country and a Third World country.
• Ask students to consider the following statement: First World countries have an obligation to help Third World countries with funds and assistance in cases of hunger and poverty. This is true because of the First World's advantageous position attained by its exploiting the resources of the Third World in the past and present.
• Based on students' responses, divide groups up into two groups. One group arguing for extensive First World responsibility, one group for limited responsibility. Important: Make sure that groups are put into the group with the opposite opinion of what they seemed to believe in the warm-up conversation.
• Give students worksheets including ideas pro and con. Have students develop arguments using the ideas on the worksheet as a springboard for further ideas and discussion.
• Once students have prepared their opening arguments, begin with the debate. Each team has 5 minutes to present their principal ideas.
• Have students prepare notes and make rebuttal to the expressed opinions.
• While the debate is in progress, take notes on common errors made by the students.
• At the end of debate, take time for a short focus on common mistakes. This is important, as students should not be too involved emotionally and therefore will be quite capable of recognizing language problems - as opposed to problems in beliefs!
First World Obligation
You are going to debate the correctness of the following statement: First World countries have an obligation to help Third World countries with funds and assistance in cases of hunger and poverty. It is important to remember that you have been placed in your group based on what seems to be the opposite of what you really think. Use the clues and ideas below to help you create an argument for your appointed point of view with your team members. Below you will find phrases and language helpful in expressing opinions, offering explanations and disagreeing.
Opinions, Preferences:
I think..., In my opinion..., I'd like to..., I'd rather..., I'd prefer..., The way I see it..., As far as I'm concerned..., If it were up to me..., I suppose..., I suspect that..., I'm pretty sure that..., It is fairly certain that..., I'm convinced that..., I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that..., Without a doubt,...,
Disagreeing:
I don't think that..., Don't you think it would be better..., I don't agree, I'd prefer..., Shouldn't we consider..., But what about..., I'm afraid I don't agree..., Frankly, I doubt if..., Let's face it, The truth of the matter is..., The problem with your point of view is that...
Giving Reasons and offering explanations: To start with, The reason why..., That's why..., For this reason..., That's the reason why..., Many people think...., Considering..., Allowing for the fact that..., When you consider that... For Extensive Responsibility
• First World has always exploited Third World
• Creates dens of international or global community
• Promotes cross-cultural understanding
• Raises First World awareness of Third World plight
• The importance of humanitarian deeds
• Promotes economic stability
• Raises standard of living for Third World populations
• Reflects acceptance of First World responsibility for past historical actions
For Limited Responsibility
• Every nation is responsible for its own people
• Long term affects of sustained "charity" are negative on the whole
• Makes Third World countries even more dependent on First World countries
• Imports First World cultural values into Third World context where they do not necessarily belong, or apply
• Creates cultural homogenization
• Past history of corruption and ineffectiveness of such "help" programs
• Need for real economic opportunities rather than charity
• Hurts national pride and confidence in the leadership of the Third World countries involved
• Help can be made dependent on certain political or economic conditions imposed by First World countries
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
First World Obligation
Activity: Debate concerning the responsibility of First World countries to help Third World countries
Level: Upper-intermediate to advanced
Outline:
• Review language used when expressing opinions, disagreeing, making comments on other person's point of view, etc. (See work sheet)
• Discuss the differences between what is considered a First World Country and a Third World country.
• Ask students to consider the following statement: First World countries have an obligation to help Third World countries with funds and assistance in cases of hunger and poverty. This is true because of the First World's advantageous position attained by its exploiting the resources of the Third World in the past and present.
• Based on students' responses, divide groups up into two groups. One group arguing for extensive First World responsibility, one group for limited responsibility. Important: Make sure that groups are put into the group with the opposite opinion of what they seemed to believe in the warm-up conversation.
• Give students worksheets including ideas pro and con. Have students develop arguments using the ideas on the worksheet as a springboard for further ideas and discussion.
• Once students have prepared their opening arguments, begin with the debate. Each team has 5 minutes to present their principal ideas.
• Have students prepare notes and make rebuttal to the expressed opinions.
• While the debate is in progress, take notes on common errors made by the students.
• At the end of debate, take time for a short focus on common mistakes. This is important, as students should not be too involved emotionally and therefore will be quite capable of recognizing language problems - as opposed to problems in beliefs!
First World Obligation
You are going to debate the correctness of the following statement: First World countries have an obligation to help Third World countries with funds and assistance in cases of hunger and poverty. It is important to remember that you have been placed in your group based on what seems to be the opposite of what you really think. Use the clues and ideas below to help you create an argument for your appointed point of view with your team members. Below you will find phrases and language helpful in expressing opinions, offering explanations and disagreeing.
Opinions, Preferences:
I think..., In my opinion..., I'd like to..., I'd rather..., I'd prefer..., The way I see it..., As far as I'm concerned..., If it were up to me..., I suppose..., I suspect that..., I'm pretty sure that..., It is fairly certain that..., I'm convinced that..., I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that..., Without a doubt,...,
Disagreeing:
I don't think that..., Don't you think it would be better..., I don't agree, I'd prefer..., Shouldn't we consider..., But what about..., I'm afraid I don't agree..., Frankly, I doubt if..., Let's face it, The truth of the matter is..., The problem with your point of view is that...
Giving Reasons and offering explanations: To start with, The reason why..., That's why..., For this reason..., That's the reason why..., Many people think...., Considering..., Allowing for the fact that..., When you consider that... For Extensive Responsibility
• First World has always exploited Third World
• Creates dens of international or global community
• Promotes cross-cultural understanding
• Raises First World awareness of Third World plight
• The importance of humanitarian deeds
• Promotes economic stability
• Raises standard of living for Third World populations
• Reflects acceptance of First World responsibility for past historical actions
For Limited Responsibility
• Every nation is responsible for its own people
• Long term affects of sustained "charity" are negative on the whole
• Makes Third World countries even more dependent on First World countries
• Imports First World cultural values into Third World context where they do not necessarily belong, or apply
• Creates cultural homogenization
• Past history of corruption and ineffectiveness of such "help" programs
• Need for real economic opportunities rather than charity
• Hurts national pride and confidence in the leadership of the Third World countries involved
• Help can be made dependent on certain political or economic conditions imposed by First World countries
Conversation Lesson
This blog is for TEFL professionals in Madrid to share ideas and lesson plans. I will post a new quiz or lesson plan at least once per week.
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Talking about Pop Music
Getting younger, teenage students to talk can be a real challenge. This lesson focuses on using a True or False game as a means of motivation to get them discussing their favorite types of music and musicians.
Aim: Getting teenage students to converse in English
Activity: True of False game
Level: Intermediate
Outline:
• Activate vocabulary by asking students about a number of musicians, names of instruments, verbs used in speaking about music, etc.
• Divide the students into small groups and give the students the "Music: True or False" handout.
• Ask students to discuss each statement and decide if it is true or false giving reasons for their decision.
• Go through each statement selecting a student from each group to give their opinion - making sure that they state their reasoning for the decision.
• Make the exercise competitive by giving a point for each correct answer. You can up the ante by also giving points for well stated arguments which can help motivate students to actually explain their decisions. Example Scoring: one point for a correct answer, 0 points for a simple true or false, one point for an explanation, one point for a grammatically correct explanation. Total possible points on any given question: Three. One for the correct answer, one for an explanation, and an extra point for a grammatically correct answer.
• Extend exercise by having students create "True or False" statements of their own to be shared with other groups.
Music: True or False
Decide if each statement is true or false. Explain to members of your group why you think the answer is true or false.
1. The Back Street Boys were originally named "The Boys Next Door"
2. Madonna has decided to give up her career in singing and become a nun beginning in 2002.
3. Elvis Presley said, "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to."
4. Rock and Roll music was first approved of by the US Government because of its patriotic message during World War II.
5. In its early years, rock and roll music was believed to make teenagers crazy, drug-deranged, and/or promiscuous.
6. Rap music star - Vanilla Ice's real name is Robert Van Winkle.
7. The Spice Girls have all been trained as classical musicians. Each member of the group is not only a wonderful singer, but can also play an instrument at a professional level.
8. In 1994, singer/musician Paul McCartney sent back his razor, shaving cream, and other products to the Gillette Co. to protest the manufacturer's use of animals in the product testing.
9. Luciano Pavarotti can't read music.
10. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are based in Spokane, Washington where they grew up.
1. The Back Street Boys were originally named "The Boys Next Door" - FALSE
2. Madonna has decided to give up her career in singing and become a nun beginning in 2002. - FALSE
3. Elvis Presley said, "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." - TRUE
4. Rock and Roll music was first approved of by the US Government because of its patriotic message during World War II. - FALSE
5. In its early years, rock and roll music was believed to make teenagers crazy, drug-deranged, and/or promiscuous. - TRUE
6. Rap music star - Vanilla Ice's real name is Robert Van Winkle. - TRUE
7. The Spice Girls have all been trained as classical musicians. Each member of the group is not only a wonderful singer, but can also play an instrument at a professional level. - FALSE
8. In 1994, singer/musician Paul McCartney sent back his razor, shaving cream, and other products to the Gillette Co. to protest the manufacturer's use of animals in the product testing. - TRUE
9. Luciano Pavarotti can't read music. - TRUE
10. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are based in Spokane, Washington where they grew up. - FALSE
My only request is that if you use a quiz or lesson plan, please share one. Email them to me at aprender.english.2009@gmail.com
Talking about Pop Music
Getting younger, teenage students to talk can be a real challenge. This lesson focuses on using a True or False game as a means of motivation to get them discussing their favorite types of music and musicians.
Aim: Getting teenage students to converse in English
Activity: True of False game
Level: Intermediate
Outline:
• Activate vocabulary by asking students about a number of musicians, names of instruments, verbs used in speaking about music, etc.
• Divide the students into small groups and give the students the "Music: True or False" handout.
• Ask students to discuss each statement and decide if it is true or false giving reasons for their decision.
• Go through each statement selecting a student from each group to give their opinion - making sure that they state their reasoning for the decision.
• Make the exercise competitive by giving a point for each correct answer. You can up the ante by also giving points for well stated arguments which can help motivate students to actually explain their decisions. Example Scoring: one point for a correct answer, 0 points for a simple true or false, one point for an explanation, one point for a grammatically correct explanation. Total possible points on any given question: Three. One for the correct answer, one for an explanation, and an extra point for a grammatically correct answer.
• Extend exercise by having students create "True or False" statements of their own to be shared with other groups.
Music: True or False
Decide if each statement is true or false. Explain to members of your group why you think the answer is true or false.
1. The Back Street Boys were originally named "The Boys Next Door"
2. Madonna has decided to give up her career in singing and become a nun beginning in 2002.
3. Elvis Presley said, "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to."
4. Rock and Roll music was first approved of by the US Government because of its patriotic message during World War II.
5. In its early years, rock and roll music was believed to make teenagers crazy, drug-deranged, and/or promiscuous.
6. Rap music star - Vanilla Ice's real name is Robert Van Winkle.
7. The Spice Girls have all been trained as classical musicians. Each member of the group is not only a wonderful singer, but can also play an instrument at a professional level.
8. In 1994, singer/musician Paul McCartney sent back his razor, shaving cream, and other products to the Gillette Co. to protest the manufacturer's use of animals in the product testing.
9. Luciano Pavarotti can't read music.
10. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are based in Spokane, Washington where they grew up.
1. The Back Street Boys were originally named "The Boys Next Door" - FALSE
2. Madonna has decided to give up her career in singing and become a nun beginning in 2002. - FALSE
3. Elvis Presley said, "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." - TRUE
4. Rock and Roll music was first approved of by the US Government because of its patriotic message during World War II. - FALSE
5. In its early years, rock and roll music was believed to make teenagers crazy, drug-deranged, and/or promiscuous. - TRUE
6. Rap music star - Vanilla Ice's real name is Robert Van Winkle. - TRUE
7. The Spice Girls have all been trained as classical musicians. Each member of the group is not only a wonderful singer, but can also play an instrument at a professional level. - FALSE
8. In 1994, singer/musician Paul McCartney sent back his razor, shaving cream, and other products to the Gillette Co. to protest the manufacturer's use of animals in the product testing. - TRUE
9. Luciano Pavarotti can't read music. - TRUE
10. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are based in Spokane, Washington where they grew up. - FALSE
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