More gapped sentences - 3 medals each set

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Awarded by our Guru!

Easter Challenge - Gapped sentences - 9 medals

Click on the image to see a larger picture of your challenge!

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and eight words, including the word given. (Flo-Joe)

1 If there is an accident, phone the emergency services. OF

Phone the emergency services ........................................................... an accident.

2 We would have missed our connecting train if we had not caught the earlier plane. NOT
Had ........................................................... the earlier plane, we would have missed our connecting train.

3 I couldn’t have bought that motorbike unless my mother had agreed to pay the monthly repayments. BUT
.......................................................... agreeing to pay the monthly repayments I could never have bought that motorbike.

4 Purchases may be refunded within seven days. MIND
Should ........................................................... your purchase you have up to seven days to bring it back for a refund.

5 Even though her C grade in the Proficiency wasn’t quite as high as she had expected, it was still a good result. IF
Her grade C in the Proficiency exam, ........................................................... , was still a good result.

6 Providing that you make up the time later in the week you can take Monday off. CONDITION
You can have the day off on Monday ............................................................ make up the time later in the week.

A Dictionary of Prefixes, Suffixes and Combining Forms

Hi everyone!!!
Maybe the majority of you don't know but about two classes ago we have a discussion in class about prefixes and suffixes. We discussed how important they are to improve our vocabulary for the CPE papers. Then someone asked if anyone had a list of the main preffixes and suffixes in the English language.
So... today I found a great tool related to that. It's not a list, but a dictionary of prefixes and suffixes.
I tried to post the PDF file, but I couldn't once I don't know how to post written files from my computer to the blog. So I'm posting the link to all of you - who wish - download it.
As we have class today, I'm going to ask Levi how to post the file itself. If this possibility is available I'll post it very soon.

Click here to open and save the dictionary of prefixes and suffixes!

Regards.

The Laurel Potter Challenge

As promised before, you guys are now up to a big challenge! The winner of the Laurel Potter Trophy will be the first to come up with all the correct answers to the 2 CPE-format exercises, which can be accessed by clicking on the link provided by the side of the picture below.

Click here to access the file containing the big challenge!

April Challenge

Click here to print the challenge and later post the answers as a comment.
The first to come up with the right answers will get 10 medals!

Lina and Ana Lucia, you rock!!

This week's challenge

Earn 4 medals after filling in each of the blanks the blanks with a correct word:

1) Emma started out as a clerical officer with the company and gradually __________ her way to the top and is now a senior manager.

2) We're on holiday now so can you stop __________ shop!

3) There's a rumour going around that the proposed reorganisation is meant to __________ out the lazy workers.

Not quite ready for the CPE...

Your Creative comment will get you medals!

New Challenge - Word Formation

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10 medals to the first to come up with all the right answers!

A new champion enters the hall!

Introducing a blessed, peaceful lent with twelve shiny ones!

Gapped sentences - Three medals

Think of one word only which can be used appropriately in all three sentences.

My father .......... at the same branch for over thirty years.
They had .......... on their parents to pay off their debts for them.
Instead of landing, the plane .......... and headed away from the airfield.

A Carnival Winner

Congrats, Ana!!

Multiple Choice Cloze - 4 medals each text!!!

Carnival Challenge - Keyword transformation

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and eight words, including the word given.

(8 medals to the first to come up with all correct answers)

1. Diseases such as smallpox have still to be eradicated.

stamped

Diseases such as smallpox ................ yet.

2. John was nominated for the post of treasurer by two committee members.

forward

John has ................ the post of treasurer by two committee members.

3. If you receive any mail for me after I’ve gone would you be kind enough to forward it to me.

send

Please could you ................ that arrives for me after I’ve gone.

4. The colour of that dress showed off her complexion.

enhanced

Her complexion ................ the colour of that dress.

5. As part of his new year’s resolution he has renounced cigarettes and bad food.

up

He decided ................ cigarettes and bad food in the new year.

6. They are building a new car park next to the shopping centre.

put

A new car park ................ next to the shopping centre.

7. You should erase any mistakes on the exam script.

out

Any mistakes on the exam script may ................ a soft eraser.

8. The government suppressed all the details of the financial scandal.

up

Details of the financial scandal ................ the government.

Hi everyone!! A quick hello to all my fellow CPE colleagues and our dear teacher :)) Have a nice weekend!!

Interviewing our very own celebrity!

Meet Ana Beatriz (Bia), Dec. 2010's Grade B CPE holder, and winner of The Angela Dias Trophy. Angela Dias herself kindly agreed to come to Madureira Branch and hand Bia this remarkable award!


Bia was also awarded a special prize both for her dedication to this Blog and her outstanding score on the CPE exam.




Diogo Kubrusly (current contributor to this Blog) also took part in the event and called for a photo op with Angela.

Learn a little more about Bia, who agreed to answer a couple of questions in an exclusive interview for this Blog.

Q1. How does it feel to be a grade B CPE holder?

First of all, there’s a sense of relief – a weight off my shoulders. I still find it hard to believe, though. I didn't expect such a high grade.

Q2. Could you mention the key factors which led you to make such an accomplishment?

Well, I told myself ‘not passing’ was not an option. I wasn’t willing to spend those $560.00 again. Besides that, past papers, past papers and past papers..... I believe they're essential. It's important to know well the test and you can also learn so much from them. Also, Flo-Joe and Splendid speaking website everyday. The writing tasks from Flo-Joe were extremely helpful. I used to write a composition every week and that’s probably why my best performance was in the Writing Paper. The challenges from the blog helped me learn a lot, especially idioms, and they were really motivating.

Q3. Let us know how busy you were while preparing for the CPE and how you managed to find time to work as a full time teacher, take a prep. course, and excell as a BLOG contributor.

I was extremely busy. Free time is something I don't usually have, so I decided that I had to take every little opportunity to study. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I had long breaks between classes, then a colleague and I would always do a past paper or some other type of exercise. I used to carry a book or some printed exercises all the time. So whenever I managed to have a little break, I would have something to study.

Q4. Any hints & tips to the CPE candidates who follow this BLOG as well as to its contributors?

Well, I believe there’s no miracle. You have to study hard. So, do lots of exercises, attend the prep course and try to answer the challenges on the blog, of course. Be careful not to neglect any part of the test when you’re studying. At first I used to skip the reading paper because I found it too boring and time-consuming. And it was the Paper I found it to be more difficult on the D-day (my lowest grade as well). Don’t forget the speaking paper. I used to get together with two other colleagues and we would practice as if it were a real test – saying all the script.

Q5. Anything else you'd like to say?

Pay attention to how much time you spend doing the papers. Although I don’t usually have this kind of problem, I know lots of people who do. I would also recommend using the Objective Proficiency Workbook.

Q6. Thank you very much for your time, Bia!

You’re welcome! And thank you for everything!