Podcast A Cup Of English en Hogar y Familia

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

12:47 min | Subido ayer

I came across some interesting information the other day, bizarre information, crazy information, that has led me on a journ ey of discovery. I was watching one of my sons run during a track meet (1). There were six middle schools all competing in the various track events, and the place was packed. I sat in the middle of the large crowd of parents who had come to cheer on (2) their children. A lady who I knew was talking to me about children growing up, entering high school, and applying for scholarships. “My oldest is a few years away from all of that,” I said. “But still (3), I should probably start looking into (4) scholarships.” She told me that she had already done so, as her son is older than mine. “There are all kinds of private scholarship funds out there. You won't believe it. There's even one for being blonde!” There was a long pause, as I frowned and thought about what she had said. “For being blonde?” I asked in disbelief(5). So many questions rushed into my head. “How blonde do you have to be?” “Could I bleach (6) my hair blonde to get a scholarship?” “And who decides if you qualify? Does a little old lady with a huge Madonna wig come to your house and check-out your hair?” This couldn't be true, I decided. How ridiculous. But, my friend told me that lots of rich individuals will leave money for people who have certain qualities. I had to investigate. So, back at home, I did some research on the internet. I came across a website called '45 of the weirdest college scholarships'. Well, I didn't find any scholarships for being blonde, even though there were many searches for 'scholarships for blondes'. But I did find a lot of other bizarre ones: if you are a male over 6' 2'' or a female over 5'10'', you could qualify for $1000 by writing an essay entitled 'What being tall means to me.' If you're a nudist, a vegetarian, if you wish to study fungi, if you enjoy duck calling, or if you like to watch the series 'Star Trek', then you can get money for college! Or if you can predict the future, play the bagpipes, or can design clothes for the prom (7) out of duct tape (sticky tape), then you are also eligible (8) for money. If only I had known about all of this 20 years ago! I could have joined all of those groups, and got a PhD for free! I could have been a duck calling, bagpipe playing, fungi studying, future predicting nudist vegetarian (well, perhaps not the nudist part) who could predict her own shining educational future..... and not even have to change from a brunette to a blonde. 1. 'Track' has several meanings. It can mean a small path created by man or animals. It can mean 'to follow', or it is a noun meaning the sporting events that are running based. a. My son competed in the running long jump and did quite well. b. The mile run was the last event in the track meet. 2. 'To cheer on' can also be expressed as 'to cheer for'. The first expression implies encouraging someone in their event, the second implies supporting an individual or group. a. As the athletes ran, we cheered them on. b. Though he was last, we cheered him on, and tried to encourage him to go faster. 3. 'But still' is often used like 'however' when you are using 2 slightly contrasting ideas. a. They won't arrive until later, but still we should get the house ready now. b. We have plenty of food in the fridge, but still we shouldn't be wasteful. 4. 'To look into' can mean to investigate. a. We looked into getting a loan, but we didn't qualify. b. They looked into scholarships and found one for bald people! 5. 'Disbelief' means 'not believing' and is usually preceded by 'in' or 'with'. a. I looked at him in disbelief; I couldn't believe what he had just said. b. He put his hand to his mouth in disbelief when he saw how beautiful she looked. 6. 'Bleach' is a powerful chemical cleaner that is used to remove color from hair. It can be used as a verb sometimes. a. I used some bleach to clean out the garbage can. That should clean it! b. The sun has bleached our patio chairs; they look so pale now! 7. The 'Prom' is a very important dance at High School. a. Are you going to ask someone to go to the Prom with you? b. Their Prom costume is very elegant, but if you look closely, you can see that it is made of duct tape! 8. 'Eligible' is when you satisfy characteristics for something, it could be age, gender, ethnicity, background etc. a. He wants to run for President of the Student Body, but he is too young; he's not eligible. b. At 65 years of age, you're eligible for a pension. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com with questions and comments.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

A hanging head.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

11:06 min | hace 6 días

Recently I've had the strangest feeling when I've been alone at home. My husband is at work, and my children are at school, so I should be alone. I don't hear footsteps(1), or anyone moving around in the house. I don't hear talking or breathing in any of the rooms. But I sense that someone else is in the house, or something else. When I'm upstairs, folding laundry in the laundry room, I feel it less. But as I walk downstairs, I become aware(2)of a presence, gradually with each step. As I write this, I'm in the living room, where the feeling is strongest. It reminds(3) me of when I was a girl, and I would stare up at the ceiling at night, in my room, in the darkness. My imagination would make me see all sorts of things up there, or coming out of the walls. Shadows of toys would become people or creatures, fairies and figures. So, here I sit, and it feels as if a pair of (4)eyes is watching me. Something has made its place in here, silently. And, as I sit here writing, I can feel that it is directly above me. Should I turn and look? Am I brave enough to reach out to touch it? Yes, I will. And I do. My fingers immediately feel something very large, cool, and smooth. The more I touch, the bigger it appears. It's body goes up and up. It feels strong, and what's that? It's not skin, but fur(5), and lots of it. In fact, it's completely covered in fur. Up my hand goes to its face. A long snout, and big bulging eyes, those eyes that never close. I feel a small forehead. This creature has a small brain for such a big, strong body. Large, hairy ears are alert at the sides of the head, listening for danger. This creature is wanted. This creature was wanted. Its powerful legs weren't enough for it to get away. It was wanted for its crown; and what a magnificent crown it is, unique, impressive, a crown of battle. It was a guardian(6) of the forest. And now it is here, still a guardian, quiet, watchful, always alert. It was barely seen among the trees, a passing shadow. And here, it's barely noticed, until you are alone. Then, you hear a whisper from the forest, you read its story in its eyes, and you feel the glory of its crown. 'Footsteps' can be heard. 'Footprints' can be seen. a. I knew that he had arrived because I heard his footsteps in the entryway. b. I followed the footprints in the sand and found where you were. 'To be aware' of something is to know or recognize. a. I was suddenly aware of being followed by a man in a long, black coat and hat. b. I wasn't aware that they had moved to the city. 'To remind' or 'to be reminded' is very similar to remembering. a. She reminds me of her grandmother; they look and act the same. b. Please remind me that the pie is in the oven, otherwise I'll forget and it'll get burned. 'A pair of' is singular, so the verb form used with it is the same. a. That pair of shoes is too expensive. b. That pair of socks isn't the right color. You need to wear this pair with those trousers. 'Fur' is a kind of coarse hair that animals have. a. There is something furry moving through the trees. b. Native American Indians would use the fur and skins of animals for clothing. 'Guardian' comes from the verb 'to guard'. We don't pronounce the 'u'. a. He was the guardian of the temple, and had to protect it at any cost. b. He takes his job as palace guardian very seriously. Remember to join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish and I will friend you! I also love to get your comments and questions by email acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

A Time For Parades.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

08:42 min | hace 12 días

There is a festival in this town that brings in thousands of visitors, and livens(1) the valley for over a week. It's called Apple Blossom. By the name, you can tell that it coincides with the blossoming of the many apple trees that grow here. The weather is still playing a tug-of-war(2) between cold, windy days, and hot ones, but usually, by Apple Blossom, the sun is winning. For a few weeks leading up to the festival, groups of people are busy building floats that have varying(3) themes. There is always one for the three Apple Blossom princesses who have been elected by the local high schools. Their float is often something to do with Spring, or flowers. They stand and wave and look pretty; it must be a very hard job. And then there are all the floats of schools, sports groups, charities, and some businesses. If you are involved in one of these organizations, you have the opportunity to walk next to the float. My daughter, who does gymnastics, was chosen with her friends to hold the sign of the gymnastics group, while other girls and boys did cartwheels(4) and flips all along the road. I walked with the proud parents and handed out water bottles. It was very exciting. I was tempted to do a flip, just like the children were doing. But then I realized that if I did do one, it would be the very last thing that I ever did. So, I took photographs instead. I waved a little, trying to mimic(5) the princesses (my wave was better than theirs). A few people I knew were standing along the road; they called to me and waved. I began to feel famous. In fact, other people waved enthusiastically and called to me, “Oh hi there..” but then used a name like Angela, or Rebecca, or Mary. But I was caught up in the enthusiasm, so I waved back and smiled. What lovely confusion! The parade was a big event. There were bands and schools from all over the state, and visitors from Japan. A carnival had been set up down by the river, and a food fare was crammed(6) into one of the down town parks. There are so many people in the center of town for the parade that it's impossible to find parking close by, so you need to park far away on a street in the residential area. Our parade finished, we rested and had icecream, and then Domini and I had a long, hot hike back to the car. To liven means to bring a place alive with excitement, movement, or color. It is often followed by the word 'up'. a. The new paint in the kitchen really livens up the place. b. When the DJ gets here, the party will liven up. A tug-of-war is a game played where two people or groups pull on a long rope. The winning group is the one who manages to pull the opposing team over a half-way line. a. We played tug-of-war, but our opponents won; they were much stronger than us. Varying comes from the word 'vary' or the verb 'to vary' meaning to offer variety. It's pronunciation can be a bit tricky, so here's some practice. a. The artist's pictures were all blue, but varying in subjects. b. I think that everyone enjoyed the comedian, to varying degrees. To mimic means to copy, usually in action or a facial feature. a. The monkey mimicked the lady drinking coffee. b. The boy mimicked his teacher when he wasn't looking. To be crammed comes from the verb 'to cram' which means to stuff or pack something in tightly (do you remember the phrase 'jam packed'?) a. He crammed the crackers into his mouth and threw the empty packet in the bin. b. The pencils are crammed so tightly in the box, that I can't get them out! Remember, you can join my FACEBOOK page at Anna Fromacupofenglish. Also, feel free to send me an email to acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com. Your questions and comments are welcome.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Learning in the past.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

08:41 min | hace 24 días

I was fortunate enough (1)the other day to go on a field trip with the school that my son attends. As his school doesn't ha ve a bus, parent volunteers are needed to transport the kids here and there. I am one of them, and, you know, I benefit from volunteering in many ways. That particular day, I learned a lot about the Wenatchi Indians, and the pioneer days of this area. We visited a museum in the town of Cashmere which is about eight miles from here. It's a small building, but jam packed(2) with artifacts and donations. I had been to the museum before, but this time, we had a very knowledgeable (3)guide who happened to be a Native American Indian. As time went on, and he took us from one display area to another, I began to realize that he had deep knowledge and deep personal interest in the museum. He was half Cherokee and half Sioux, and knew not only about those Indian nations, but also a lot about the Wenatchi nation. He told us that the baskets that were made by Wenatchi women are worth thousands of dollars. He went into detail, telling us how they would gather(4) the grasses, chew them, dye them with berry juice, and then weave them. These baskets were made so well, that they could carry water. In fact, the Wenatchis would boil water in the baskets by placing boiling hot stones from a fire inside a basket full of water. That kind of information, and many other things that I learned, gave me new respect for the history of this local area. Then, we moved to the outside area of the museum where there's a collection of original pioneer (5)homes. There was a home, a jail, a hat shop, a print shop, a school, and a hotel. My son's class loved the school. It was obviously very basic, all wood, dark, it had a stove, small chalk boards for the students, and a metal bucket that everyone drank out of. The guide told us that school was only available for a few months a year; during Winter it was too cold, and, as all the children helped to farm, they couldn't go to school during planting or harvest seasons either. My son thought that that (6)was great, “Only a few months of school? Awesome!” he said. If children could basically learn to read and write, and do a little mathematics, then the main goal was accomplished. Their lives were agricultural and they were hard working, so school was considered a luxury. How different it is today! 'To be fortunate/lucky/unlucky enough' the use of 'enough' speeds up a sentence that could otherwise be a bit awkward. a. I was fortunate. I got into the theater for free. OR I was fortunate in that I got into the theater for free. INSTEAD with the use of 'enough' we can say : I was fortunate enough to get into the theater for free. b. She was unlucky enough to miss the bus, so she was late for work. 'Jam packed' is an expression that means tightly squeezed or squashed into a place. It can describe the subject or object. a. The cinema was jam packed last night. b. The students were jam packed into the assembly hall for the graduation ceremony. 'Knowledgeable' describes a person who knows a lot. Let's practice the pronunciation. 'To gather' is the same as to collect or to pick (as in flowers); it also means to congregate. a. The Wenatchi Indian women would gather grasses to make their baskets. b. A group of protesters gathered in the main square. 5.'Pioneer' means the first person to do something, or to settle somewhere. a. The pioneers in this area were the first Europeans to settle and farm here. b. Santiago Ramon y Cajal was the great pioneer in the field of neurobiology.? Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me your comments or questions to acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com ?
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Water for Africa - analysis time.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

09:44 min | hace 27 días

Scientists say the notoriously dry continent of Africa is sitting on(1) a vast reservoir of groundwater. They say that the total v olume of water in aquifers underground is 100 times the amount found on the surface. The British Geological Survey and the University College London team has produced the most detailed map yet(2) of the scale and potential of this hidden resource. Across Africa more than 300 million people are said to (3) not have access to safe drinking water, and the demand is growing because of population growth and the need for agriculture. "Where there is the greatest ground water storage is in northern Africa, in Libya, Algeria and Chad," said Helen Bonsor from the BGS. In fact, according to the studies, there are aquifers even across sub-Saharan Africa. Water, over many years, can collect in the spaces between rocks underground, and even in the tiny spaces inside sandstone. This watery, wet stone area is an aquifer. The water found in these reserves(4) is usually cleaner than surface water. These huge bodies of water are equivalent to(5) a quarter of the Mediterranean Sea, or three times the Red Sea. The British experts caution (6) that drilling for water should be done carefully, and with a lot more research. The UK's secretary of state for international development, Andrew Mitchell said, "This is an important discovery which the British Government has funded, and could have a profound effect on some of the world's poorest people, helping them become less vulnerable."(7) 1. 'To sit on' can be used to say "He sits on the chair", but it can also be used figuratively with words like 'a fortune' or 'a time bomb'. a. That boy comes from an extremely wealthy family; he's sitting on a fortune, and doesn't even know it. b. That situation is like sitting on a time bomb; any day disaster can strike. 2. 'Yet' can be used in many instances. In this particular case, it means 'so far'. Here are 2 similar examples: a. I have had fifteen job interviews, and the last one was the best one yet. b. I have tried this new cookie recipe a few times, but this batch (collection of cookies) is the best one yet. 3. 'To be said (to)' can be followed by a positive or negative verb, or the verb 'to be' followed by an adjective. a. The whole population is said to be musical. b. Now, after the disaster, the ground, the river, and the plants are said to be radioactive. 4. 'A reserve' means a place where something is conserved, either naturally or deliberately. a. Because the bird is so vulnerable, an island in the very south of New Zealand has been dedicated as a reserve for the kiwi. b. Poland, apparently, has some of the biggest reserves of salt in the world. 5. 'Equivalent to' basically means 'equal to' or 'the same as'. a. My son and his grandmother are equivalent in height. b. The time we spend sleeping is equivalent to a quarter of our lives. 6. 'To caution' is a verb that means to warn. Note the difference in these two following sentences. a. We cautioned him about driving fast. b. We cautioned him that driving fast in icy weather would be a mistake. 7. 'Vulnerable' is another way of saying easily affected, weak, or exposed. The pronunciation is a bit tricky, as the 'l' isn't always silent. a. He feels vulnerable without his glasses on. b. Hopefully, as Africa utilizes its vast water reserves, its people will no longer be vulnerable to drought or famine. Feel free to join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me your comments and questions to acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com and I promise to email you back.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Ethanol anybody?

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

11:47 min | hace 1 mes

Today's podcast is going to test your knowledge of ethanol. What is it? How is it made? And what are the advantages and disadvanta ges of using it? I asked myself these questions recently, when I drove past a gas station that had a sign saying 'No ethanol in our gas'. I asked myself why it would be good to not have ethanol in petrol? I remember hearing about large amounts of the stuff being produced in this country, and how some people are for it, and others are against it. So, what exactly is ethanol, and what are the issues surrounding it(1)? Ethanol is a fuel that, for a long time has been produced from corn. In the U.S., the government subsidized (2)corn growers for many years specifically for the production of ethanol. But, why would they do this? First of all, a desire to be self sufficient was at the heart of this project. If you can produce your own energy, then there is no longer any need to rely(3) on other countries. Secondly, some believe that the cost would be less than petrol. Thirdly, ethanol reduces greenhouse gases(4) by 18%-29%. Ethanol is easily mixed with petrol, so all cars can use gas (petrol) that is 10% ethanol. There are some cars that can use 85% ethanol with 15% gas. Continuing research has raised questions(5) about ethanol. If we are using millions of acres of agricultural land to produce corn that nobody eats, surely this will raise food prices globally. Also, farming corn is costly, and uses a lot of gas and gas products when you think of the heavy machinery, the transportation, and the petrol-based chemicals used on the plants. How much cleaner is this biofuel than traditional gas? And, should the government be spending tax payers' money on subsidies for a process that isn't overwhelmingly (6) beneficial? Well, as I continued to research ethanol, I found that globally, research has improved its production, and removed the two major problems: using food for fuel, and only reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a small percentage. Apparently, a new ethanol, called cellulosic ethanol is now produced from nonfood crops, such as bark, corn stalks and leaves, and switchgrass. These are agricultural and industrial leftovers, and switchgrass is a rapidly growing weed that is used to prevent erosion. So, instead of expensively growing corn, we can use by-products. Just think of the savings. The carbon footprint(7) is tiny compared to that of growing, transporting, and processing corn. And, talking about our carbon footprint, cellulosic ethanol reduces greenhouse emissions by 85%. Now, that is substantial. Don't you think that collaborative(8) research is always our best route to good ideas? Globally, this is already believed, because research into improving ethanol and making its production efficient and highly beneficial is continuing. Facilites for production are all over the globe, the biggest one being in Italy. People want a home-based, clean alternative to fossil fuels; it will improve global health and national economies. So, on our list of cleaner energy sources, we can add cellulosic ethanol. 1. 'The issues surrounding ..' means the important questions or problems that are linked to something. The phrase gives a good visual of a central idea or thing being surrounded. a. There are lots of issues surrounding the government's political agenda. b. There are a lot of questions surrounding his proposal. 2. 'To subsidize' is when money is given to a project to protect and enourage it. a. The corn growers of the U.S have been subsidized for many years. b. Tax payers' money is often used to subsidize projects. 3. 'To rely on' is the same as to depend on. a. I rely on him to tell me the truth. b. We rely on email to keep in touch with family and friends. 4. 'Greenhouse gases' a.Greenhouse gases are the gases produced by burning fossil fuels, such as coal or petrol. b. Greenhouse gases can be reduced by using clean energy sources. 5. 'To raise a question' is slightly different from 'to ask a question'. It is less specific; the question might not have been vocalized yet. It might just be in someone's mind. a. His actions raised a few questions in my mind: is he fit for the job? Does he need more training? b. I'm sure questions will be raised when the employees hear about him leaving the company. 6. 'Overwhelmingly' here is used as an adjective, but of course, it comes from the verb to 'to overwhelm'. a. The votes show that she is overwhelmingly the most popular singer. b. I was overwhelmed by your act of kindness. 7. 'Carbon footprint' is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we cause on a personal level. a. This year, I'm going to do all that I can to reduce my carbon footprint. b. There are some simple ways to reduce our carbon footprints, like recycling, and turning off lights that don't need to be on. 8. 'Collaborative' comes from the verb to collaberate, meaning to work together and share ideas. a. The project was a collaborative effort; many experts were involved. b. If we collaborate, we will probably find the best solutions to our problems. Feel free to join me on my FACEBOOK page Anna fromacupofenglish or email me at acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com and if you do, I promise to email you back. Remember, the app of A Cup Of English is available in iTunes.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

When will she arrive?

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

15:08 min | hace 1 mes

Waiting, waiting, waiting. It's difficult to do sometimes. I found myself waiting a couple of weeks ago at Seattle International A irport. My sister and my two nephews were coming for a two week visit, so I made the three hour drive over the mountains to pick them up. I don't often go to Seattle, but I love to. It's a gorgeous place, if you like forests, the sea, and modern buildings. So, I take any opportunity I can to drive there. The airport is actually outside of Seattle, half way between Seattle and Tacoma, and is therefore called Sea-tac airport. It is a smart, modern facility that, believe it or not(1), smells of coffee. How wonderful! You might think that I'm joking, but it's true. You know that Seattle is where Starbucks started, and Seattle is known for being the coffee capital of the U.S. In fact, it has more coffee houses per 100,000 residents than the U.S. has overall(2). So, even the airport is fully equipped with coffee all over the place. While I waited for my sister to arrive, I found myself(3)at one of the many coffee shops. I bought my soy latte, and wandered around a magazine shop. The plane had come in on time, there was no delay(4). However, because the flight was an international one, my sister and her boys had to go through immigration(4) and customs(4). That is a time consuming necessity. Also, the flight was full, so the two hundred or so sleepy passengers took extra long to arrive at baggage claim. I kept on returning to the arrivals escalator, to see if anyone from the flight had turned up. Nope(5). It took about an hour and a half for the travelers to arrive. It was interesting to stand back and see the different people step off the escalator. There was a real mix of shapes and sizes, ethnicities, and demeanours(6). Some people were dressed professionally, pulling behind them small, black cases on wheels, and obviously focused on business. Others were more casual, looking for family or friends, and openly emotional. There was a tall, military man returning from service abroad(7), who was greeted by his young wife and three year old daughter. She had stood at the top of the empty escalator and called "Daddy, daddy!" impatiently. When he finally arrived and picked her up, she stared at him for a long time with an unsure, curious expression. Then came the stragglers(8): a very hairy man carrying a large, framed picture, a tall African lady with tons of luggage, and a skinny young man with a huge cello case. What a variety of people! Then, last but not least(9), my sister and her two boys came up the escalator with big smiles. Finally, they were here. We hugged and kissed, and immediately started chatting and giggling about the journey. We picked up the luggage and were in the car before we knew it. 1. 'Believe it or not' is not an essential phrase. It is light hearted and introduces the idea that something interesting or unusual will be mentioned: a. My daughter has, believe it or not, joined a traveling circus. b. Believe it or not, that very small shop grossed half a million dollars last year. 2. 'Overall' is another way of saying 'all together' or 'in general' or 'added up': a. There were some imperfections, but overall the performance was a success. b. The population, overall, prefers coffee to tea. 3. To find oneself can be used with any person: a. We found ourselves pennyless, out of petrol, and in the middle of nowhere. b. So, you met the prince in the party, and before you knew it, you found yourself in the palace! Unbelievable! 4. 'Delay, immigration, customs' are all useful words to do with international travel. a. The plane was delayed, I had trouble in immigration, and customs confiscated my Elvis toothbrush! b. The plane was on time, thank goodness. My visa was still valid, so I got through immigration quickly, and then I had nothing to declare in customs. 5.'Nope' is basically 'no' but with attitude. It is used frequently in the U.S. a. Do you want to go out tonight? Nope! b. I've lost the receipt for the bookshelves. Could you look for it? Nope! 6. 'Demeanor' means the manner or behavior of someone: a. She looked elegant and formal, but her demeanor was unsure. b. I can tell by his demeanor that he is confident. 7. 'Abroad' is often used instead of 'overseas'. The two are interchangeable: a. She will study abroad for six months to learn a different language. b. They had studied overseas all year, and had decided to stay longer. 8. 'Straggler' describes the odd, few people who are the last to arrive, either from a journey, trip, or race: a. At the end of the Tour de France we see the stragglers coming in. Some are well known cyclists who unfortunately fell off their bikes, and others are less known riders. b. The displaced villagers got to the shelter by nightfall, the stragglers arriving by midnight. 9. 'Last but not least' is a quick way of saying "I'm mentioning this person last (on the list) but he is just as important as anybody else". a. Ladies and gentlemen, we have Princess Sofia, Prince Filipo, and, last but not least, their little sister Princess Angelica. b. Here we have to crown your dinner tonight, last but not least, a pineapple chocolate bomb for dessert. Remember to visit me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish. Also feel free to email me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com and if you do, I promise to email you back.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Exciting science.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

10:46 min | hace 2 meses

Science can be so exciting. I was listening to the BBC World Service the other day while I was driving in my car. Their series cal led Science in Action, which, by the way, comes out in podcast form, is a lively presentation of the most up-to-date science innovations(1). I don't always listen to it, but the other day I was on my way to pick up the kids from school, when I turned on the radio just at the right time. By the time I reached the Middle School, I was bursting to(2) tell my boys the latest scientific news. They were impressed. Since then, I have told everyone I have been around. Well, you shouldn't keep good news to yourself, should you? There were two main points that I managed to catch(3). The first discovery was made by an Australian scientist who has been involved in genetically engineering plants. He and his team have successfully managed to grow and harvest from a salt tolerant(4) wheat plant. It can grow in salty soil, which up until now has been impossible for many kinds of grains. Changing its genetic makeup allows the plant to keep the salt at its roots, so it doesn't get into the plant and affect it at all. Just think what that could mean for global production. That kind of wheat could be grown in many more areas, and perhaps even be watered with sea water! The next discovery is also something to do with salt. An Irish scientist is finding a way to make the leftovers(5) of desalinization(6) profitable and practical. After salt water is processed so it can be used for drinking water, there is a super salty solution left over. He has found that if you add naturally occurring (7)bacteria, plus natural food for them, they begin to give off an electrical charge. When this happens, particles of metals from the salty water stick to the bacteria. The more they eat, the more metal sticks to them, until they get so heavy that they sink(8) to the bottom of the container, and can be easily separated. Metals such as Magnesium which are expensive and really useful, can be gathered in this way. By doing this, scientists will be able to use the waste product of desalinization, and offset(9) the cost of producing clean water by harvesting metals. I was blown away by all of this(10). It seems that, in spite of what the general media tells us, science may be innovating just in time to keep up with our global needs. 1. Innovation means a new idea, method, or device. It is often used in the fields of science and technology. We also use it in its verb form 'to innovate'. a. These scientific innovations will improve our daily lives. b. You have to be creative and have a vision to innovate. 2. To be bursting to tell someone something. This means that you are so excited that you can hardly wait to spread the news. 3. Catch is sometimes used when we talk about hearing the remainder of a conversation, perhaps the last part, or something that is hard to hear. a. Did you catch what he said at the end? I'm not sure if he said that the bank is to the right or to the left. b. I'm so glad that I caught the news summary when I turned the tv on; I really want to keep up with the daily events. 4. Tolerant means that you put up with, you cope with, you can manage something. You can be tolerant of people, conditions, or elements. We use the word tolerant a lot when we talk about peoples ability to digest food. a. She is wheat tolerant, but lactose intolerant. She has to be careful with her diet. b. I planted drought tolerant plants in the area of my garden that I don't water. c. They are so intolerant of people who are different from themselves. 5. Leftovers are one of my favorite things. They are different foods that are left over, or have not been eaten by the end of a meal. You can also have leftovers of a process, similar to by-products. a. Thanksgiving leftovers are yummy. There are usually enough to feed us for a whole day. 6. Desalinization, as you probably know, is the process of getting clean, drinking water from sea water. As it's a long word, let's repeat it a few times. 7. Naturally occurring is often used in science or natural history arenas. a. There are naturally occurring minerals in that water. b. The naturally occurring process of photosynthesis keeps our planet alive. 8. To sink is to fall down in water, to go down, to do the opposite of float. It is the same word and pronunciation as the kitchen and bathroom sink. The verb has an irregular preterite. a. The ship crashed on the rocks and sank out of sight. b. When I woke up at the end of the math exam, I had a terrible sinking feeling when I realized that I had slept through the whole thing. 9. To offset is to make up for, or to counteract. a. The company's profits this month offset its losses from last month. b. Planting hundreds of trees on the mountainside will offset the risk of erosion. 10. To be blown away by something means to be completely surprised. It can be used negatively and positively. a. When he opened his mouth and started to sing, I was blown away. b. I was shocked at his ignorant comments; infact, I was blown away by them.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Umtanum.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

13:40 min | hace 2 meses

Yakima is a small city located an hour and a half's drive(1) from Wenatchee. It is a wide valley, famous for its grapes and apples . We were there last weekend for a baseball tournament, the first of the season(2). One interesting fact about Yakima is that its name is taken from the Yakama indians who are from this area. There are actually indian names in many areas of the state. When the baseball tournament was over and we were leaving Yakima, we drove past a barren(3), rocky few miles and crossed over a bridge. Immediately after the bridge, I saw a sign 'Umtanum Canyon'. The name sparked my interest(4). "Now, that must be an indian name," I thought to myself. When I got home, I looked up the name on the internet. I found quite a few pages about Umtanum, but no translation of its name. Reading about the canyon made me even more eager to find out its name, because the land is geographically interesting, and has a wealth(5) of wildlife. Hunters would love it because there are big horn sheep, deer, and coyotes, aswell as pheasants and all kinds of rodents(6). Most of these creatures come to the creek, which is a small river, to drink. The predators obviously take advantage of this being the only water source for all the animals nearby. The canyon walls are steep and rocky, which are perfect for big horn sheep who are expert climbers. The banks of the creek are grassy with wildflowers, a perfect place for ground squirrels, marmots, and rabbits. They have to watch out for the coyotes all year round, and the rattlesnakes in the summer. Infact, it's recommended that hiking parties go during the autumn, winter, and spring, and avoid the snakes in the summer. Umtanum, I would say(7), is typical of eastern Washington. There are many such large expanses of land that look seemingly(8) empty, lifeless, dry, even boring. But, when you get out of the car, and walk deeper into the countryside, you find that it is full of life. 1. An hour and a half's drive. When the duration of something is between one and two hours, we use an apostrophe s to show possession. a. It's a two hour walk. It's a three day hike. It's a four hour swim. b. The mall is an hour's drive from here. It's an hour and a quarter's wait until the next bus. Note that it is used mainly with one hour or when 'half' an hour is being used. 2. The first of the season is easily understood. I am emphasizing this because it is a very natural sounding add-on to a sentence that will make you seem more native. a. On May 2nd there is a country dance, the first of the season. b. We waited to see the main ballerinas, the best of the dance troupe. c. The politician answered the questions, the most difficult ones he has been asked. 3. Barren is a word often used for being lifeless, bare, or childless. It is quite poetic, and often used for bare landscapes. a. The land looked like a barren wasteland. 4. To spark someone's interest means to get someone's attention and create curiosity. You can also spark anger. a. The sudden movement of something in the dark sparked the cat's curiosity. b. The conversation sparked his anger. 5. A wealth of wildlife. 'A wealth of' is used to describe a large quantity. It implies something positive. a. On that beach, you'll find a wealth of different crabs. b. My grandmother and her friends are a wealth of knowledge and experience. 6. 'Rodent' is the general name for mice, rats, rabbits, and other small ground creatures. 7. 'I would say' is a little phrase that expresses opinion. Sometimes 'you could say' is used in its place. It's rare now for people to use 'one could say' or 'one would say'. a. Elizabeth, you could say, has the destiny of becoming a star. b. I would say that growing wheat on that barren land is a rough, tough job. 8. Seemingly means to have an appearance of. It comes from the verb 'to seem' and, as you can see, it implies that perhaps reality is not what is seen. a. The house was run down, lightless, and seemingly deserted. But then, from a distance they heard music coming from the upstairs. b. When I spoke to him he didn't respond, was quiet, and seemingly uninterested. Let's hear the paragraph once more. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me questions or comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com and I promise to email you back!
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Analysis time, reviving ancient flowers.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

14:10 min | hace 2 meses

Because many of you have responded positively to my new series 'Analysis time', we will continue with a particularly interesting o ne today taken from an article about 'break-through' scientific technology. If you haven't come across the phrase 'break-through', you might be able to imagine its meaning. It is literally the idea of breaking through a wall of ignorance, and arriving at new knowledge and new technology. A break-through is positive and exciting, and it can be used in many different areas: science, medicine, even psychology. Infact, you can even use it on a personal basis Ex: I had a break-through with my counselor yesterday; I realize that I must forgive my parents. So, there will be many more examples coming up. Let's here the article. A plant that was frozen in Siberian permafrost for about 30,000 years has been revived by a team of Russian scientists - and borne (1)fruit, to boot(2). Bacteria and other simple organisms had been known to survive in the ice for thousands of years. But reviving a life as complex(3) as a plant is an entirely different matter(4), scientists said. For this study, the researchers managed to(5) grow a plant without even using a seed. Instead(6), they thawed, washed and disinfected the fruits and took out bits of nutrient-rich fruit flesh known as placental tissue(7). When bathed in the right broth(8) of chemicals, placental tissue acts like the plant version(9)of stem cells. The study is an encouraging sign that it may be possible to revive larger and more complex beings that were preserved in the frozen tundra. 1. Borne comes from the verb 'to bear fruit' . The sentence should have said 'and has borne fruit' to be clear. The plant has produced fruit. It is an irregular past participle that obviously looks nothing like the original verb 'to bear'. It is spelt the same as the predatory animal 'bear', is pronounced the same, but has nothing to do with it. It is also often used with other meanings, such as 'to accept' or 'to carry'. There are other meanings, but these are the most common. Exs: a. He bore all the criticism, even though other people were guilty. b. I can't bear the pain anymore; I'll take a headache pill. 2. To boot is a funny little phrase that means 'also'. or 'besides'. It carries (or bears) more of a sense of surprise or significance than 'also'. Exs: a. He not only sailed the Atlantic, but he wrote a novel at the same time, to boot. b. I returned the dress to the shop and got my money back, and a gift certificate to boot. 3. Complex is a straight forward word meaning complicated or difficult. It is used in any arena. Exs: a. She is a complex individual. Just when you think you know her, she says something very unexpected. b. The math that my son is doing in school is too complex for me! 4. 'An entirely different matter' is a very useful phrase that adds seriousness to a second idea. Exs: a. Why they argued is one thing. The state of their marriage is an entirely different matter. b. Making austerity cuts might be necessary, but creating economic growth is an entirely different matter. 5. 'To manage to + verb' is a very useful and common phrase implying that some effort has been used to achieve an outcome. Exs a. I managed to find my wedding ring; it had been missing for two months. b. I don't know how he did it, but he managed to pull himself out of the hospital bed and walk out of the building. It is also used when asking questions in an accusatory way: c. How on earth did you manage to crash the car into the mailbox? 6. 'Instead' means 'as a substitute for' or 'as an alternative': a. I was going to call you, but I decided to walk to your house instead. b. I told him to study, but he played outside instead. 7. Tissue is the soft paper we use to wipe our noses. It is, however, also used as 'material' or 'substance' when talking about animal or plant life. Exs: a. They took some brain tissue to do a biopsy. b. Some of the inside tissue of the leaf was studied. 8. Broth means a thin, watery soup that usually has meat or fish extract in it. It can be used, as in this case, in science when talking about a mixture. Ex: To make the best chicken broth, boil the bones for at least half an hour, then add vegetables and seasoning. 9. The ... version of indicates that something is similar to something else in function or essence, but different in a fundamental way. Exs: a. That boy is the young version of Elvis Presley! b. 'Lovesong' by Adele, is a slow jazz version of a song by The Cure. c. I met Mary's mother the other day. She is an older version of her daughter; they are so similar. Let's here the excerpt one more time.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Analysis time, a Chinese revolt.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

15:07 min | hace 3 meses

Today we will analyze part of a newspaper article in depth. Wukan, China - The Chinese fishing village that went into open revolt(1) against government control last year held elections on Saturday, an event that(2) some local people said was the first time they'd been able to elect their leaders. After years of resentment(3) about real estate(4) deals (5)between local leaders and businessmen, villagers staged a series of demonstrations. "We will solve the land issue (6)step-by-step," said Lin, the newly elected chief of the village. If those efforts to reclaim land come up short(8), then the experience will have been an empty one, many said. 1. Open revolt is when people demonstrate, express disagreement, rally together, and do so in a very public and obvious way. Ex: After the votes were counted, the people went to the town hall in open revolt at the result. There has been open revolt in Greece over the government's plans to raise taxes and cut public spending. 2. The arrangement of (2) 'the event that' is a good stylistic way of adding more information about the elections. Many nouns that describe times or events can be reviewed and have more detail added to them. The arrangement of words, reflecting on the event, avoids having to make two sentences out of one, or one that doesn't sound as well crafted: The Chinese fishing village ..........held elections on Saturday, which some local people said was the first time..... . Or it could have been written: The Chinese fishing village........held elections on Saturday. Some local people said that this was the first time...... . The sentence structure in the article is much better than these two: The Chinese fishing village ........held elections on Saturday, an event that some local people said was the first time ...... . Let's see some other examples of this structure, and how it improves the flow of a sentence: Exs: The ball was a magical occasion, a special moment in time that Cinderella would never forget. This sentence flows nicely because of its second part. It could have been split into 2 sentences: Either: The ball was a magical occasion. It was a special moment in time that Cinderella would never forget. Or The ball was a magical occasion, and was a special moment in time that Cinderella would never forget. Let me give you a few more examples of sentences using the more successful format: a. They bought the company in 1902, a decision that changed their lives completely. b. She sang "We'll meet again", a rendition that had everyone standing and applauding. c. He will analyse the book for a class, a job that most people would hate. d. We left town in winter of 1988, a season no one will ever forget because of the record snowfall. e. Their private conversation was not quiet enough, a mistake that caused a lot of embarrassment. 3. Resentment is similar to anger, or holding a grudge, or not letting an offense be forgiven or forgotten. Exs: He didn't get the promotion, so he was full of resentment. The teacher was unfair, and that caused resentment among the students. 4. Real estate is property in the form of land or buildings Exs: She bought good real estate at just the right time; now it is worth ten times as much money. The real estate market is slow at the moment, a sign that the economy isn't healthy yet. 5. Deal is both a verb and a noun. To deal is to hand out cards in a card game. You can also 'deal a blow' which basically means to punch. That expression is used figuratively as in this example: The financial crisis dealt a blow to the car companies. It sounds old fashioned to use this expression when talking about punching someone; it's best to use 'punch'. A deal is a business or personal arrangement, some kind of agreement: Exs: The banks made a deal. The buyers made a successful deal with the sellers. Note that the word 'dealings' has a sense of something illegal or secret, or unpleasant: Exs: The govenor's dealings with oil companies were exposed. I don't want to talk about his dealings with the mafia. 6. Issue is an emotional or psychological problem. It can also be an important topic, or a disagreement with something. Exs: The issue of raising taxes always causes a lot of discussion and emotion. He disrupts the class, is rude, and doesn't do any work. I think that he has serious issues. I have an issue with the way he talks to people. I don't like it, and I think he needs a different approach. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me at acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

An intimidating meeting.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

09:41 min | hace 3 meses

Last week, as some of you know, I met with the Superintendent of Wenatchee Schools. I was very nervous, for some reason. I had nev er met him before, though I had seen him a couple of times in School Board meetings. My intention was to encourage changes in the school district, changes that have been wanted and recommended for a long time but haven't taken place. But, as I stepped into the office, and sat down in the waiting area, I began to feel very small. For some reason, I started to doubt my right to be there. Was I informed enough to have a pertinent conversation with this very busy man, a man who obviously knows more about the school district than me? Would I forget what I had planned on saying half way through a sentence? Would I stutter, or burp, or trip and fall and smash something important, like his laptop? "Okay Anna, what's your problem? Are you losing your edge?" (1)I said to myself, "Whatever happened to the girl who did public speaking, or the rock climber, or the hitchhiker? Pull yourself together!" (2)I talked reasonably to myself in order to calm down my thumping heart, and my sweating armpits. I did some deep breathing exercises, and focused on the meeting being over, rather than the meeting itself. "Hello Anna," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up, and standing there was a smiling man, reaching out his hand to shake mine. I quickly got up and shook his hand, "Hello Mr Flones, how are you?" The Superintendent had just got back from lunch, and had approached me while I was in the middle of my deep breathing exercises. He led me to his office, which was moderate, and practical, and not intimidating at all, plus there was nothing that I could easily break, so I started to relax. "I appreciate you meeting with me, Mr. Flones. I will be brief, I won't take up much of your time." "That's fine," he replied, looking at the clock, "I'm good."(3) I realized that I could stop being apologetic, and could just get on with what I wanted to say and ask. It turned out, actually, to be the opposite of what I had expected. He was not only very open, but he was very candid about the state of schools, and changes that needed to be made. What a relief! We agreed on many things, and towards the end, I said, "Really, I want to offer my hand of friendship, and to help in this transition to an upgraded school district." I said this because I have felt in the past that there were two separate and conflicting groups: parents and the school district. Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. If we work together, we can get twice as much done in half the time, as long as we really listen to eachother. I left the meeting feeling very satisfied, and stood outside for while, taking in the early Spring sun. As I walked to my car, I pondered why I had been so nervous. Well, if you've recently raised four children, and not worked, then you've been out of the loop(4): no office meetings, no business lunches, no professional decisions etc. It can be intimidating to step back into that arena when my world has been diapers, a-b-c's, and the price of milk. But, the impression that I got from the Superintendent was that, as a teacher and a parent, I have very valuable things to say. It didn't take long to adjust back to the school-decision making world. So, I've planned for another meeting in a few weeks, to check on progress, but this time, I won't need the breathing exercises. Related expressions: to lose your edge, pull yourself together, I'm good, to be out of the loop. 1. To lose your edge means to lose the quality of a skill through lack of use or fear. Exs: I used to tell jokes at parties, but I haven't done that for years. I've lost my edge. I couldn't possibly skydive anymore; I've lost my edge. 2. To pull yourself together means to become brave by effort. You can use this as a command, even for yourself. Exs: Pull yourself together, man, you only need one filling. Your other teeth are fine. I need to speak to him right now, but I really don't want to. "Pull yourself together Anna! Just do it!" 3. I'm good is used in the U.S. It's an expression that means "That's okay, I'm fine" or "I don't need anymore". It is used when people are asked if they want some more to eat, or if they want to communicate that they have plenty of time. Exs: Do you want some more cake? No thanks, I'm good. Here it means that he is satisfied and has had enough. I won't take up much of your time. I'm good. I've got plenty of time. It can be used by itself without specifying 'I've got plenty of time' afterwards. 4. To be out of the loop means that you have been away from a certain arena, perhaps work, or a circle of friends, or an activity. Exs: I haven't sung in the choir for a few months; I'm out of the loop. I used to meet with the ladies from my dance class, but I haven't been to it for two years. I'm out of the loop. Here, 'I'm out of the loop' is used because she hasn't been to class, and she hasn't had connection with her social group. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish and I'll friend you! Or email me at acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Analysis time - community colleges.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

13:14 min | hace 3 meses

Community colleges still don't get the dollars of their four-year counterparts(1), but they're standing very much in the spotlight (2) these days. President Barack Obama made them the focus last week when he unveiled(3) his proposed budget. Why all the attention? One reason is that so-called(4) 'middle skill' jobs - requiring more than high school but less than a full college degree - look like the most promising source of fuel(5) for quickly revving(6) up an economic recovery. Federal data show they account for roughly(7) half of all jobs, and even when unemployment was over 10 percent, companies reported shortages(8) of qualified workers. 1. Counterpart is a very effective word for referring to a related item, especially if you want to avoid repetition. So, instead of saying : Community colleges still don't get the dollars of four-year colleges, you substitute in 'their four-year counterparts. We usually use a possessive adjective with counterpart(s) because it relates to the subject. Also, often an adjective or two about the counterpart are often given in order to make it clear what the counterpart actually is. In the paragraph 'four-year' obviously relates to larger, full-time universities. Ex: He was much faster than his stronger, heavier counterparts on theteam. Ex: The country dental clinics are more personable than their larger, urban counterparts. 2. To be in the spotlight, or to stand in the spotlight means to have a lot of attention. It's a great visual description of someone or something having all eyes on them. Ex: Senator Brown is very much in the spotlight after his comments on the new tax bill. Ex: The financial difficulties of Greece are still very much in the global spotlight. 3. To unveil is to show something for the first time, or to show something that has been hidden. Ex: The sculptor unveiled his latest statue that has been donated to the city. Ex: The city has just unveiled plans for a new park. 4. So-called is used to qualify a description that might not be accurate. Ex: He's the so-called 'King of Pop'. So-called here shows that perhaps not everyone agreed with the title. There is no way of measuring if he really is the king of pop. Ex: The so-called free medical care has proven to be quite expensive. 5. Fuel, in this instance, doesn't mean actual combustible fuel. It is used to show the idea that the President wants to stimulate or ignite the economy. It is implied that he wants the economy to grow like a fire gets bigger and bigger. Ex: I wouldn't argue with him. You'll just add fuel to his argument (fire). 6. To rev up is similar to the word fuel. It is short for revolutions. To rev is usually used with engines, when you push the accelerator in and out and make the engine noise increase and decrease. It is often used figuratively. Ex: Wake up, have your coffee, let's get revved up for the meeting. Ex: My neighbor likes to rev his engine, even though his car is tiny. 7. Roughly is often used instead of approximately or nearly. Ex: The company has increased production by roughly 50 percent. Ex: Roughly a third of elementary school children are obese. 8. Shortage(s) is often used for a lack of. We see it a lot when talking about employment or produce of some kind. Ex: There is always a shortage of laborers and nurses. Ex: There will be a global shortage of wheat this year. Let's hear the paragraph one more time at normal speed. You can always join my FACEBOOK page under Anna fromacupofenglish or send a request or question to : acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Xephos and Honeydew, in Minecraft.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

08:39 min | hace 3 meses

This title is the kind that gets attention, isn't it? I first heard about these two characters a few days ago. My three boys play an on-line game called Minecraft. It's actually quite fabulous. It is an unending arena, where you can discover and create different worlds made out of blocks. My sons' favorites are the survival worlds, where you have to find raw materials* such as wood, edible plants, animals, tools, and fire. In order to survive and prosper, you must build yourself a house, and be in it by nightfall*. The reason is that zombies, or 'creepers', come out at night and attack you if you are not safely hidden in your house. Every day, I hear of their new discoveries such as exotic animals, or useful tools of some kind, diamonds, gold, enemies, friends, and even lava. It is hugely popular and globally played and loved. I can see why. If you have a look at Minecraft, you will see that it is a perfect combination of computer game, interaction, creativity, and adventure. My boys tell me all the time how educational it is, "Mum, you have to read a little, and even type!" And, you know, compared to a lot of the mindless, destructive video games out there, Minecraft is superior because a player not only has to be creative and curious, but he can add his own personal touch in a world of his choice. As with many on-line games, you have the ability to chat with other players. Mind you, you have to be careful what you say. If you accidentally offend a person who has created the world that you are in, you get banned. There are rules. Two people who know these rules very well, are Xephos and Honeydew. They are gurus of the Minecraft world. Infact, they have made their knowledge and practice of this game into profit. They have a website with up-to-date* video blogs of their Minecraft activity and discoveries. They are two, young English gentlemen, who are friends, and devoted gamers. They give regular commentaries while they game together in the same world in Minecraft. They have, what we call in England, 'the gift of the gab', which means an ability to talk and entertain. They are funny, expressive, and energetic, and other gamers, like my boys, love to follow their progress and listen to their advice. They battle evil characters, build detailed and unusual homes, and even search other people's homes and 'borrow' items that they find. The accumulation of riches is an important theme in Minecraft, and Xephos and Honeydew are expert miners who manage to collect all kinds of precious metals and gems* from the ground. I have come to terms with the fact that* my boys are addicted to this game, as are millions of others. And, thanks to Xephos and Honeydew, they will be encouraged to continue for a long time. Related vocabulary and expressions: raw materials, nightfall, up-to-date, gems. 1. Raw materials are materials that are obtained from nature, and have not yet been processed. Some examples of raw materials are: rock, wood, metals that have come straight from the mine, and unrefined oil and gases that are collected from the earth. 2. We must find shelter before nightfall. As soon as it gets dark, who knows what dangers will appear in this forest. 3. If you want to download from iTunes, you should get an up-to-date version of it first. You can get an update on the website. 4. Look at the gems in the Queen's crown. They are so beautiful. There must be ten different kinds. Gems or gem can also be used as a compliment for a thing or a person using the word 'of': Ex: He's a gem of a person. He'll do anything to help. Ex: We bought a gem of an antique car; there is no other like it. Ex: I've just finished reading a gem of a novel. It's probably the best I've read in ten years. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna fromacupofenglish or email me comments or requests to: acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

A swimming lesson.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

08:11 min | hace 3 meses

Every Tuesday, I volunteer to drive several kids from school to the local swimming pool. They go once a week* for six weeks for a full hour*. It's actually a new experience for my children to be able to swim during school hours; usually, P.E., or Physical Education, doesn't involve getting wet. So, this is a real treat. The first week, the children were separated into swimmers and non-swimmers. Since then, the swimmers can spend half of their swimming session playing with beach balls on teams. They also are allowed to use various diving boards, while the non-swimmers have an intensive swimming lesson. You could call this their 'immersion' session, ha, ha, do you get the pun?* Anyway, for us, it's an unusual and exciting morning. Thankfully, at the swimming pool, there are comfortable seats near the pool, and even internet connection. Infact, I'm writing this as I watch the children swim. The pool is divided into three sections, so three different activities can take place at the same time.* Closest to the edge where I'm sitting is one lane for elderly* people. They usually do gentle exercises, in groups, often with floatation devices. From what I can see, it's more like a social get-together. Next to them are two lanes dedicated to adults who just want to swim laps. A lap is a length of the pool. They go back and forth at their own pace, and have about one hour to get their exercise done. They are the most serious swimmers out of everyone here. Perhaps they have a background in* swimming, or simply enjoy the sport, and wish to include it as part of their healthy routine. So, as you can imagine, I sit here on Tuesday mornings, looking out over the pool, and observe all sorts of interesting activity. This pool is well equipped as far as safety is concerned*. There are two lifeguards on duty at all times, who constantly scan* the pool. They wear red t-shirts and carry red floatation devices, and are ready at any second to either blow a whistle, or to jump in and rescue someone. As I look around the room, I see more safety devices: rubber rings, stretchers for enabling disabled people to float on and enjoy the water, and even a fire extinguisher! You would have thought that that wouldn't be necessary. The swimming teacher is explaining to the kids at the moment the importance of timing in swimming, how you have to use your arms and legs at different times in order to get fast movement through the water. She explains this with the help of a swimmer volunteer, and now the children are taking turns swimming a lap using her advice. And guess what? I see improvement already! She is a devoted swimming teacher. I've never seen her out of the water; it's as if she's a part of the pool. They've got ten minutes left to swim; the kids never want to get out of the pool. They would rather stay here than go back to school. Related vocabulary and expressions: once a week, a full hour, a pun, at the same time. 1. She has a piano lesson once a week, and a painting class once a month. 2. I wish this class was longer. It's only 45 minutes. I would prefer to have it for a full hour. 3. 'Immersion' is a pun when talking about swimming. A pun is a joke created by words that reflect the situation you're talking about. In this example, immersion is exactly what you have in water when you are swimming. An intensive lesson is also immersion. So, when I say that the children's swimming lesson is like an 'immersion course', I pun. 4. He is a multi-tasker. He can do several things at the same time. Yesterday evening, he was making dinner, practicing Russian while listening to a podcast, and helping his son with his math homework! Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish or email me at acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

No words please.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

07:18 min | hace 3 meses

What's one of the best ways to get refreshed? Exercise. I find, that I am a different person after I've exercised. What I mean by this is that I feel very positive, focused, and inspired when I have pushed myself physically. Mind you, it isn't just going to the gym that does it. Walks in the country are the very best for me. I think it's because, not only do I get all the physical benefits of exercise, but being in nature reminds me deeply of what's real and what's good. You could say that it's a scientifically proven huge dose of medicine. However, when I don't have the time to walk in the country, I'll go to the gym. The one I go to is just a few blocks away. It's one of those places that you can go to any time of the day or night. Each member has his or her own entry card that opens the locked doors automatically. This sounds very fancy, but it's actually just a safety precaution, so only members enter the gym at night. And because there are no staff members in the gym, the cards guarantee that members can work out safely, and alone. I've only worked out at night once, as I prefer to do so during the day. I usually go there mid-morning. Generally, there are elderly people working out when I get there, and an occasional younger person. I often wonder what the non-retired people are doing there in the morning. Do they work a night shift*? Are they unemployed? Perhaps they are in college. Or maybe, like me, they are a stay-at-home-parent-blogger. But my imagination isn't enough to keep me walking uphill on the treadmill*, or lifting weights. I need something to help me. Music works best for me, dance music, in particular. My problem is that I'm fussy about what I listen to. I like a huge variety of modern hits, music from the eighties, jazz, and Motown. However, because I really pay attention to words, I get tired of songs if I have heard them ten or twenty times. The music and the beat* really keep me going in my workout, but the words, often, put me off*. Some modern songs have great beats, but the words are either appalling or cliches. "Baby, it'll be alright in the night, hold me tight, our love is right, let's fly a kite, here's my sandwich, take a bite...." you know what I mean; a good piece of music can very quickly become annoying because of the childish* lyrics*. If only my ears didn't care about words. But that's how I am; I'm into* words, and I listen to everything. So, recently, after seeing the movie Tron, I bought the soundtrack. No words. Just a lot of great techo beats and rhythmns. For now, that is doing the trick*. I hope I don't get tired of it. I need to go to a music shop and look for instrumental versions of dance hits. Hopefully, I'll find some good music with no words, if not, I'll have to develop a sense of humor about modern music's silly lyrics. Related vocabulary: night shift, treadmill, the beat, to put someone off. 1. He prefers to work at night, so he has the night shift in the hospital. 2. A treadmill is the walking machine that can vary speed and gradient. It offers a really good, custom workout. 3. The rhythm of a piece of music is what we call the beat. 4. While I was eating lunch, he blew his nose really hard. It totally put me off my food. I couldn't eat anything after that because I was so disgusted. Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna from A Cup of English, or email questions and comments to acupofenglish@hotmail.com or acupofenglish@live.com
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Analysis time.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

10:46 min | hace 3 meses

Some of my listeners have asked me to examine and explain English phrases and vocabulary in depth. I think that that is a great id ea. In order to do this, I have selected a small paragraph from a magazine that is about wasting money. This will be the first in a series of 'Analysis time' that will, hopefully give you deeper understanding of certain, common vocabulary and phrases, so you will find them easier to use. Stop wasting(1) food! With a little creativity(2), you can use commonly(3) trashed(4) items and save yourself some major(5) dough(6). Did you know that, on average, Americans throw out 25 percent of the food they bring home, worth(7) an astonishing(8) $2,200 per year. Think of what you could(9) do with that cash(10)! 1. Stop wasting...! It's a command. You could add various words at the end, such as, money, time, my time, the milk. 2. With a little creativity, a little thought, a little care, a little attention to detail. You're using your brain to think carefully. Ex: With a little effort, you could finish this project in an hour. 3. Commonly: normally, regularly, daily. It is used to describe the items that are 'trashed'. How often are they trashed? Answer is very often, normally, daily, commonly. This action is committed by most people; it is common. 4. Trashed, comes from the noun trash which means rubbish or garbage. It has become a verb, 'to trash'. Ex: We trashed the old car. This means that we threw it in the rubbish, or that we smashed it up first, and then threw it away. It is an Americanism. It essentially means the same as 'to waste'. Garbage and rubbish are only found in noun form; they are not verbs. 5. Major is also an Americanism. It means 'a lot of'. It implies an important amount, or an important position. Ex: I have major bills to pay. This could mean big bills, or a lot of bills. 6. Dough, is taken from bread dough, the uncooked bread. It means money, again slang. * A note about using slang. If you are going to use it, make it consistent. For example, in this paragraph, both 'major' and 'dough' go together well because they are BOTH slang. It sounds like a good fit. If you mix formal language with slang, it doesn't sound so good. Ex: Save yourself quite a lot of dough. 'Quite a lot of' sounds more English, precise, and from England. Whereas 'dough' is definitely slang, street language, and very informal. 7. Worth means 'has the value of'. Ex: This coat is worth a lot more than $100. 8. Astonishing here means surprising and shocking. To be astonished. Ex: I am astonished by his progress! Ex: The opulence of the palace was astonishing. 9. Think of what you could..... is a very useful phrase to which you can add a variety of verbs: Think of what you could eat at the buffet. Think of what you could learn if you went to that university. Think of what you could paint if you had the right equipment. Think of what you could achieve if you were President. 10. Cash, as you probably know is money. It's not as slang as 'dough', it can be used even in formal situations with more formal language. So, let's hear the paragraph again, first slowly, and then at normal speed.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Ivar's of Seattle.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

06:26 min | hace 4 meses

During Christmas vacation, we took a trip to Seattle to see the Nutcracker ballet, and to enjoy some time in the city. You might n ot know a lot about Seattle, but if you google it, you will see that it is a stunningly beautiful area, and a very cosmopolitan city. We stayed in a hotel, right downtown, and fortunately were on the thirtieth floor, so we had an impressive view of the city. After leaving our luggage in the hotel room, we decided to go for a walk around the center of town, and find a place to have lunch. We ended up choosing Ivar's restaurant, which is right on the water. It has been around for a long time, and is famous for its chowder. Chowder is a thick, creamy soup that has clams in it, though sometimes it can just have potatoes. Ivar's chowder is so popular, that it can be bought all over the Northwest in supermarkets. As Seattle is a prime spot* for seafood, we all had fish. While we were eating, our waiter gave the kids a mask each, called Ivar's diver. It goes with the sea theme, and has been Ivar's mascot since the 1960's. It was a sunny, Winter day, and we enjoyed sitting by the windows and watching the boats come and go. On such a day, this is the place to be. There is the view of the water, and also of the islands on the Puget sound, with ferries making their regular trips. We had over an hour before we had to be at the theater, so, when we finished our meal, we walked out onto the deck to have a look around. There were tables with people having lunch. They had company. There was a huge gathering of seagulls that were making a tremendous racket* begging for crumbs and leftovers. I was impressed at their size; they're much bigger than I realised. And they were quite aggressive as well. We had deliberately taken some leftover fries with us to feed them. My children threw them up into the air, over the water. These strong, hungry birds whipped* through the air, and ate most of the food before it even landed on the water. It was like watching an acrobatic display. And these birds are on to a good thing*. They are a permanent part of Ivar's because they know that there is a constant supply of food coming from the restaurant. Some people visit Ivar's just to feed the seagulls. Infact, I think that they would be a better mascot than Ivar's diver. Related vocabulary: a prime spot/ location, a racket, to whip (through). 1. That place is a prime spot for a restaurant. It will be visible and accessible to pedestrians and drivers. We should get lots of business if we have it in that location. 2. What a racket! What a horrible noise! You don't call that music do you? It's awful! 3. The wind whipped through the building. It was so cold and uncomfortable. * Whip is both a noun and a verb. A whip is a nasty, long, leather device to control and subdue animal, and, in the past, slaves. So, here it describes the 'sting' of the wind, as if it is punishment. Feel free to EMAIL me at acupofenglish@live.com or acupofenglish@hotmail.com Or friend me on FACEBOOK at Anna from A cup of English.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

Loaded nachos.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

07:06 min | hace 4 meses

Studies show that the favorite food in the U.S is Mexican. The traditional hot dog and hamburger have to take second and third pla ces, because the tasty and sometimes spicy food found south of the U.S takes first place. When I first came to the U.S., I had very little idea of how much influence Mexico has, in general, on this country. As I am English, and England is very far away from Mexico, I had only ever been to one Mexican restaurant that was in London. I didn't know much about Mexico either. Now, twenty years on*, I'm sure that there are many more, up and down the country, especially the popular food chains like Taco Bell and Taco Time. So, during my first visit here, I ended up eating more Mexican food than I had expected. You could say that while I have lived here, I have learned not only about the U.S way of life, but also about Mexico, its food, its culture, and its people. I've been fortunate enough to* go to Mexico a few times, see its capital, explore some of its major historical buildings, and experience some of its traditions. And Wenatchee, believe it or not, is very influenced by the Mexican culture. Although it is a small town, of about 40,000, a large percentage of the population is from Mexico. Their culture is attractive and lively, and very proactive*. There are more and more restaurants, bakeries, dance clubs, travel agencies, and daycares that are Hispanic and Spanish speaking. A healthy bicultural nature is emerging in this town. Because of this, even the traditional supermarkets are offering products that Hispanics like to buy. It's good business. And one of the prefered dishes is nachos. It is based on corn or flour tortillas, which are flat and round. These can be fried to become crispy, toasted slightly in a frying pan with no oil, or simply warmed in the microwave. Nachos typically are crunchy. Bags of tortilla 'chips' are purchasable anywhere, so it's easy and convenient. Some people make a simple nacho dish of tortilla chips with tomato salsa and shredded cheese on top. However, 'loaded nachos' is a much more substantial dish that is varied and filling enough to be a full meal. The word 'loaded' is used to mean that it is a full, and quite heavy dish. A loaded gun comes to mind; it's ready to do some serious firing, and the nachos are ready to deliver some serious taste. So, we have the tortilla chips, and on top, fried , seasoned, minced beef, salsa, sour cream, advocado slices, black olives, shredded cheese, and sliced chili peppers. Wow! Beat that! It is full flavored, as you can imagine. This dish is perfect for parties and get-togethers. Recently, the Superbowl was on, and it is a tradition to have loaded nachos available as one of the dishes to enjoy while watching the football on television. The supermarkets stock up with all the ingredients, so you can easily throw them all together to make this easy but satisfying dish. Related vocabulary: ....years on, to be fortunate enough to..., proactive. (Get-together found on Facebook under Anna from A cup of English. 1. She started a naturopathic clinic. Several years on, she had to open two more; it was that popular. 2. We were fortunate enough to find five pairs of shoes on clearance. 3. He is so proactive. He is always making good things happen, and when there is conflict, he finds a way to create a good situation out of it.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

The wrong shoes.

En el Podcast A Cup Of English en Idiomas

06:27 min | hace 4 meses

I haven't ever had a reason to visit a podiatrist (which is what we call a foot doctor), until recently. I don't have any problem with my feet, thankfully. I suppose, over the years, the shoes that I have worn have been good enough to keep me out of the clinics. My feet rarely complain, so I ignore them most of the time. However, my son Cass, who is twelve, has been complaining for a while of heel, ankle, and arch pain. I reasoned that he is growing fast at this stage, and that growing pains of all sorts are quite common. He does play a lot of sports, and so, any problem or tenderness* can get worse. As he practices basketball twice a week, and has to do lots of running, I researched a little on the internet the ways I could ease his pains. You know I love to Google; well, I also love to find tutorials on You-tube. It's a wealth of information! In an instant, I found a video clip that demonstrates how to wrap your feet before you take part in any sporting activity. It was surprisingly simple, and really made sense. It started by showing a 3-D image of the inside of a foot. I thought it looked freaky!* The visual* made it very clear how the foot works, and why a person might experience pain. So, I wrapped Cass's feet, and he told me after practice that it had really helped. I also made an appointment for him to see a podiatrist. It was just a few days later that we went to see Dr. Hoover, a softly spoken, straightforward man. After looking at Cass' feet and his shoes, he came to the conclusion that stress from sports, and the wrong shoes, have brought about the problem. Cass normally wears Adidas shoes. They are fine for walking, but they don't provide a lot of arch support, and the basketball shoes bend in the wrong place. Apparently, a good sports shoe bends where your foot does, basically at the toe area. If it bends in the middle, it puts stress on the joint that we have in the middle of our foot, because this joint is very limited, and is not supposed to move much at all. So, after he gave us a brief lesson on how the foot works, and a list of recommended* shoes and shoe inserts*, Cass had an xray. It turns out that he has normal feet, and just needs some good support during sports. That was a relief for me; I didn't have to worry about anything serious. The next day I bought him two kinds of inserts, and different basketball shoes. These things have made all the difference. He's much happier now after practice, and no longer has stiff, tender feet in the morning. How wonderful that we have such quick access to information that can educate us, and help us avoid making mistakes with our health. Related vocabulary:tenderness, freaky, a visual, recommended: 1. When a part of your body is injured, the area around the injury can feel tender, sensitive to pain. 2. That Halloween costume is freaky! It's one of the wierdest and scariest I've seen. 3. It's much easier to study if you have a visual, because, as Shakespeare said, "A picture paints a thousand words." 4. That hotel is recommended; it has everything we need. However, the one next door isn't recommended at all. *JOIN ME ON FACEBOOK, AT Anna from A cup of English.
Género: Podcasting
Canal: Hogar y Familia ... ver+

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