Monday, February 29, 2016
Leap Year
The name "leap year" comes from the fact that while a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar normally advances one day of the week from one year to the next, the day of the week in the 12 months following the leap day (from March 1 through February 28 of the following year) will advance two days due to the extra day (thus "leaping over" one of the days in the week). For example, Christmas fell on Tuesday in 2001, Wednesday in 2002, and Thursday in 2003 but then "leapt" over Friday to fall on a Saturday in 2004.
Leap Day February 29 is a date that usually occurs every four years, and is called leap day. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the Earth does not orbit the sun in precisely 365 days.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Describing Places Vocabulary
Words used to describe attractive places:
Vocabulary to describe towns and cities:
inner-city: the central part of a city where people live and where condidions are often poor
local facilities: local buildings or services serving the public
places of interest: buildings that have a particular interest for visitors
public spaces: areas in a town or city that are open to the public
shopping centre: an area consisting of multiple shops
shopping malls: large indoor shopping centres
traffic congestion: heavy traffic making it difficult to move around a town or city
Vocabulary to describe towns and cities:
inner-city: the central part of a city where people live and where condidions are often poor
local facilities: local buildings or services serving the public
places of interest: buildings that have a particular interest for visitors
public spaces: areas in a town or city that are open to the public
shopping centre: an area consisting of multiple shops
shopping malls: large indoor shopping centres
traffic congestion: heavy traffic making it difficult to move around a town or city
taken from:
Asking the Right Question in Every Situation
Question Words
In order to have an effective conversation, we need to know what information is being sought in the questions that are asked. The questioner needs to use the correct 'question words' that point towards what he/she wishes to know.
Then the person answering the questions can easily respond with information that relates to the 'question words' being used.
Question words are used to ask about specific qualities, times, places, people, etc. They are different from yes / no questions.
The most common question words in English are the following:
Then the person answering the questions can easily respond with information that relates to the 'question words' being used.
Question words are used to ask about specific qualities, times, places, people, etc. They are different from yes / no questions.
The most common question words in English are the following:
taken from:
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Presidents' Day
Also known as Washington's Birthday is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February, meaning it can occur the 15th through the 21st inclusive, in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732. Colloquially, it is widely known as Presidents Day and is often an occasion to remember all the presidents, not just George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is also in February.The term "Presidents Day" was coined in a deliberate attempt to change the holiday into one honoring multiple presidents.Official State Holidays
The day is also a state holiday in most states with official names including Presidents' Day, President's Day and Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday. Depending upon the specific law, the state holiday might celebrate officially Washington alone, Washington and Lincoln, or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and the third president Thomas Jefferson, who was instead born in April)
Although Lincoln's birthday, February 12, was never a federal holiday, nearly half of the state governments have officially renamed their Washington's Birthday observances as "Presidents' Day", "Washington and Lincoln Day", or other such designations
Observance and TraditionsToday, the February holiday has become well known for being a day in which many stores, especially car dealers, hold sales. Until the late 1980s, corporate businesses generally closed on this day, similar to present corporate practices on Memorial Day or Christmas Day. With the late 1980s advertising push to rename the holiday, more and more businesses are staying open on the holiday each year, and, as on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day, most delivery services outside of the U.S. Postal Service now offer regular service on the day as well. Some public transit systems have also gone to regular schedules on the day. Many colleges and universities hold regular classes and operations on Presidents' Day.
Consequently, some schools, which used to close for a single day for both Lincoln's and Washington's birthday, now often close for the entire week (beginning with the Monday holiday) as a "mid-winter recess". For example, the New York City school district began doing so in the 1990s.
taken from:
Monday, February 8, 2016
On Time vs In Time
These expressions are very similar, but there is a slight difference in meaning.
On time
On time means that there is a specific time established when something is supposed/expected to happen, and it is happening at the planned time.
I want to start the meeting on time so please don’t be late.
The 11.45 train left on time.
In time
If we say we arrived in time, we’re saying that we got there a little early – that there was time to spare.
We often use the structure in time to do something:
We arrived in time to get some drinks before the show started.
Will you be home in time for dinner?
On time
On time means that there is a specific time established when something is supposed/expected to happen, and it is happening at the planned time.
I want to start the meeting on time so please don’t be late.
The 11.45 train left on time.
In time
If we say we arrived in time, we’re saying that we got there a little early – that there was time to spare.
We often use the structure in time to do something:
We arrived in time to get some drinks before the show started.
Will you be home in time for dinner?
taken from:
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day in the United StatesValentine's Day is an extremely popular festival in United States of America. People in US observe a holiday on this day to honor St Valentine and to express love to dear ones. Taking opportunity of the festival people express gratitude and love for sweethearts, spouse, teachers, parents or any other person close to them.
Celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards, letters, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine's Day are hearts, red roses and Cupid.
What Do People Do?
Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine's cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine's Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.
Public Life
Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine's Day is also a very popular date for weddings.
Background
There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century.
Valentine's Day History in US
Valentine's Day is said to have imported to North America in the 19th century by British settlers. First mass-produced Valentine's Day card with embossed paper lace are said to have produced in United States shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828-1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.
In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of giving gifts along with cards became popular. Roses and chocolates were the most commonly exchanged Valentine's Day Gifts and were usually given by man to the woman. Around 1980's diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion to gift fine jewelry. Today, the day has come to be associated with a generic platonic greeting of "Happy Valentine's Day."
Symbols
The most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid.
Valentine's Day festival has been commercialized to a great extent in US. It is estimated that Valentine's Day is the major card and gift giving festival in US. Days before the festival markets wear a festive look to lure consumers. Popular gifts exchanged on the day include cards, fresh flowers- mainly roses, chocolates and candies. These days, people also complement these with other gifts of love to express affection and love. Valentine's Day dinner and dance parties are organized all over the country to celebrate the occasion. Many couples hold private celebrations in homes or restaurants. Another interesting part of Valentine's Day in US is the celebrations organized by kids. Several schools organize Valentine's Day programms where children perform songs, dance, skits and plays. Children also gift handmade gifts and cards to their friends and teachers.
To those staying in different cities, Valentine's Day greetings are exchanged with the help of e-cards and by sending gifts through online Valentines Day gift shopping sites.
taken from:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/valentine-day http://www.stvalentinesday.org/valentines-day-in-us.html
Many people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known, often anonymously. Valentine's cards are often decorated with images of hearts, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine's Day gifts are flowers chocolates, candy, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks.
Public Life
Valentine's Day is not a public holiday. Government offices, stores, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine's Day is also a very popular date for weddings.
Background
There are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century.Valentine's Day History in US
Valentine's Day is said to have imported to North America in the 19th century by British settlers. First mass-produced Valentine's Day card with embossed paper lace are said to have produced in United States shortly after 1847 by Esther Howland (1828-1904) of Worcester, Massachusetts.
In the second half of the 20th century, the practice of giving gifts along with cards became popular. Roses and chocolates were the most commonly exchanged Valentine's Day Gifts and were usually given by man to the woman. Around 1980's diamond industry began to promote Valentine's Day as an occasion to gift fine jewelry. Today, the day has come to be associated with a generic platonic greeting of "Happy Valentine's Day."
SymbolsThe most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid.
Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be 'struck by Cupid's arrow. Other symbols of Valentine's Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.
Valentine's Day Celebration in US
Valentine's Day Celebration in US
Valentine's Day festival has been commercialized to a great extent in US. It is estimated that Valentine's Day is the major card and gift giving festival in US. Days before the festival markets wear a festive look to lure consumers. Popular gifts exchanged on the day include cards, fresh flowers- mainly roses, chocolates and candies. These days, people also complement these with other gifts of love to express affection and love. Valentine's Day dinner and dance parties are organized all over the country to celebrate the occasion. Many couples hold private celebrations in homes or restaurants. Another interesting part of Valentine's Day in US is the celebrations organized by kids. Several schools organize Valentine's Day programms where children perform songs, dance, skits and plays. Children also gift handmade gifts and cards to their friends and teachers. To those staying in different cities, Valentine's Day greetings are exchanged with the help of e-cards and by sending gifts through online Valentines Day gift shopping sites.
taken from:
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