Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

LOOKING BACK FROM A POINT IN THE FUTURE - FUTURE PERFECT

I have studied / I have been studying English for/since...
(from the past to the present)

Next September, I will have studied / been studying English for ten years
(from the past to a moment in the future

I will have had this car for fifteen years next month.

I will have lived / been living in Seville for twenty-five years

This summer I will have been working for three years at the car factory.

The structure is the same for other verbs that use modal auxiliary verbs

I should study now
I should have studied in the past (but I didn't)
We call this the perfect infinitive.

I could work in the car factory
I could have worked in the car factory (but I didn't)

I might buy that sweater I saw in the shop window.
I might have bought that sweater I saw in the shop window. (but I didn't)

(Georgia on my Mind cover by M.A. Bilbrough)

Read the story transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-235.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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

These are the B2 time adverbs you should learn for the speaking and writing of the Cambridge FCE exam. Listen for them in the podcast, and decide which I am referring to in the dialogue section at the end of the podcast. (B1 students also invited!)

firstly, etc. lastly, (often at the beginning of a sentence)
instantly (often at the end of a sentence)
temporarily (often at the end of a sentence)
currently (often before a verb)
sharp (at the end of a time phrase)
precisely / exactly (often before a time phrase)
increasingly (often before a verb)
roughly (often before a time phrase)
continuously (often before a verb)
constantly (often before a verb)
permanently (often at the end of a sentence)
gradually (often before a verb)
simultaneously (often at the end of a sentence)
eventually (often before a verb)
seldom (often before a verb)
shortly (often at the end of a sentence)

To see the transcript of the dialogues, go to my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-234.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)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

'Rather' and its uses

FORM/USE: 'RATHER THAN' + PHRASE
B1
Use a specialist book rather than the Internet. A book is more reliable.
Take the stairs rather than the lift. It’ll keep you fitter.

FORM: 'RATHER THAN' + NON-FINITE CLAUSE
B2
I’d prefer to go camping rather than stay in a hotel. It’s nice to be out in the fresh air.
Rather than sitting around doing nothing, why don’t you go and do some sport. (instead of)
I’d rather take the bus than get the car out. 

FORM: WITH 'RATHER A'
ADJECTIVES
B2
Actually, I’m rather bad/good at playing football. I’ve got two left feet.
She lives rather a long way from school, so she’s often late.

FORM: WOULD + RATHER + PAST
I’d rather + indirect object + past (but it’s not a past)
I’d rather you didn’t go to that concert next Saturday. I don’t think it’s suitable.
I’d rather you stayed at home and helped with the baby. I’ve got to catch up with some work.

See the transcript of the dialogue: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-233.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)