B1 Linking Words

Linking words join two sentences together. Here are the ones I mention during the podcast:

A Rainy Adventure

Tom wanted to go hiking. The sky looked grey but he didn’t mind – no problem

With linker: Tom wanted to go hiking, although the sky looked grey. 

He packed his bag. He wanted to be ready the moment his friend Anna called.

With linker: He packed his bag in order to be ready as soon as his friend Anna called.

Anna wasn’t sure if they should go or not. The weather looked bad.

With linker: Anna wasn’t sure whether they should go or not because of the weather.

It was raining. So what? They decided to try. They wore boots and jackets. They didn’t wear their normal clothes.

With linker: Despite the rain, they decided to try. They wore boots and jackets instead of their usual clothes.

The rain was heavy. The trail was wet and muddy. If they walked slowly it would be safe. If they walked fast they might risk falling.. They chose to go slow.

With linker: Due to the heavy rain, the trail was wet and muddy. They could either walk slowly and be safe, or go fast and risk falling. They chose to go slow.

They reached the top. The rain stopped. The view was beautiful! They took photos and ate lunch.

With linker: Once they reached the top, the rain stopped. The view was beautiful! They took photos and ate lunch.

They were tired. They sat down and rested. They hoped the weather didn’t get worse. They wanted to stay longer.

With linker: Since they were tired, they sat down to rest. Unless the weather got worse, they planned to stay longer.

In the end, they were happy they went, the rain at the start wasn’t a problem. It was a fun day full of adventure.

With linker: In the end, they were happy they went, despite the rain at the start. It was a fun day full of adventure.

See the full transcript of the second story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-245.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

For health reasons, I'm afraid I cannot share a new podcast with you today. I include instead, one of my favourite stories that I wrote for students studying for B1 English level: The Breath of the Mosquito as a complete version.

This extract will help you understand what the story is about...

'If… if something went back in time and existed in the past, something or somebody who was not there before, he/she/it would change time in the present. Things would not be the same when he or she returned. It would take just a moment, the tiniest movement in the past would have the effect like a stone thrown into a pond. The circles of effect would move out, growing and growing 
for ever and changing the world as they go.'

'But, Emil,' interrupted his friend. 'I was only there for a minute or so.'

'Mathew, a minute is a long, long time. Listen to me, even the breath of a mosquito 33 million years ago would change the world and events in history as we know them today. Just one breath of a mosquito. Imagine how incredibly small that would be.'

Has time changed in the present? If so, in what ways?

Enjoy the story!

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Here are the B1 words we're studying today:

acceptable

accurate

amusing

annoyed

convenient

embarrassed

forbidden

grateful

hopeless

miserable

To see the transcript of the story: 

https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-243.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

In today's B2 FCE story, you'll be listening to this B2 vocabulary:

heading for Paris 
his hands were trembling 
both thrilled and terrified him
doubting every shot
gazing out of the window
an old woman wiped her eyes. 
the crowd clapped enthusiastically
as he nervously walked up 
his anxiety forgotten

To read an annotated version of the full story audioscript go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-242.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

How to write the FCE story (B2 level) for the Cambridge exam. If you're not taking this exam, this episode will be useful for learning how to express yourself at B2 level in written prose.

You can see the transcript at https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-241.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

I apologise for not bringing you a new podcast this week. I leave you with chapter 1 of the Tudor Conspiracy (from an audio book and reader I published a few years ago). Hope to be with you next week with a new podcast episode!

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

These are the words I discuss today. They are linking words, essential for your B1 and B2 writing papers in the Cambridge exam.

Moreover
In addition,
Besides
What is more,
Furthermore,
Yet
To begin with,
In the same way,
Similarly,
Consequently,

See audioscript of story at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-239.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

How to use 'if so' and 'if not' in dialogue.

A conditional clause to refer a previous direct or indirect 'yes-no' question where the answer might be ‘yes’. 

Do you think we could study more grammar? If so, could you give us more help with tenses?

Is it possible to pay by credit card? If so, which card do you accept?

Does Mrs Smith like wine? If so, does she prefer white or red?

Could you tell me if she said anything about me? If so, what did she say?

I was wondering if we could meet one morning. If so, which day would you prefer?

Is this shirt your size? If not, we have plenty of other sizes.

Do you open at the weekend? If not, how can I pick up the vacuum cleaner I bought online?

I hope next Saturday is ok for you. If not, we can find another date for the excursion.

I'd like to know if we'll be going to the beach when I arrive. If not, what plans do you have?

See the transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-238.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

These are the four comprehension questions to read before you listen to the story.

1) What was the first thing Nigel did when he went into the shower?
2) What did Nigel decide not to have for breakfast that day?
3) Why did Nigel lose his job?
4) What reason did the doctor give for Nigel's death?

Answers are given at the end of the podcast

For complete transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-237.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Structure Summary

Would like / want / ask
I would like you to come to a party on Saturday
Object Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on Saturday
Subject + verb + [object = (object pronoun + verb + more information)]
I / would like / you to come to a party on Saturday. 

Other examples:
I would like you to come to a meeting on Monday to discuss the terms of the contract. 
My parents want me to go on holiday with them this summer. 
You asked me to tell you about the football match.

Make
(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)
She makes me smile
Subject: She.
Verb: makes
Object: me – the direct object of makes
Complement (Bare Infinitive Verb): smile – this is the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to") following the causative verb make.

Other examples:
She makes me laugh when I'm feeling sad.
She always makes me angry!

Let
(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)
Let me know if Monday is suitable for you.
You are eighteen now, your parents should let you do what you like!
I think you should talk with your parents and try to make them understand how you feel.
My parents are afraid of letting me go away by yourself, they still think I'm a baby.

Help
Help (verbs that follow are with or without ‘to’.
Please would you help me find something better?
Indirect Object: me – the person receiving the help.
Bare Infinitive Verb: find – after help, we use the bare infinitive (you can say "help me to find" too.).

Other examples:
I wanted to help him (to) make some friends.
I hope that it will help you (to) keep fit.
I hope my advice will help you (to) decide where to go on holiday.
This hotel is terrible and I hope you can help me (to) find a better one.

For transcripts of jokes see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-236.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/

My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N

Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)