Review of past tenses

Past Review 

We can use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past.

• I left school when I was sixteen.
• I was very happy then.
• He told me all about his childhood.

We can use the past continuous to talk about past events which went on for a period of time.

• While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me.
• I was thinking about him last night.
• I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over.

We can use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to the past.

• I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is.
• She hasn't arrived yet.
• We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years.
• Have you ever been to Argentina?

The Present Perfect Continuous can be used to talk about an action or actions that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the future.

• You look tired. Have you been sleeping properly?
• I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived.
• He's been phoning me all week for an answer.

We can use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point in the past. It looks back from a point in the past to further in the past.

• I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him.
• I thought we had already decided on a name for this product.

We can use the past perfect continuousto look back at a situation in progress.

• We had been thinking about buying a new house but then we decided to stay here.
• It had been snowing for a while before we left.
• She said she had been trying to call me all day.

English transition words and phrases

Some Common English Transition Words and Phrases

Adding Information and not only . . . but also also moreover (more formal) furthermore (more formal) in addition (more formal)	Examples We have seen the movie twice, and now we want to see it again. Not only did my brother break his leg, but he also bruised his rib. My friend speaks Korean and English. She also speaks Chinese. Cheating is dishonest. Moreover, it hinders students from learning. Students should be on time. Furthermore, they must be prepared. You must complete this essay by 5 p.m. In addition, you must do the exercises on page 47.
Giving Examples for example for instance specifically in particular The first (second, another, etc.) example/reason is . . .	Examples I have been to many countries. For example, I have been to Russia, Canada, Mexico, and Spain. He often eats strange foods. For instance, he once ate cow brains. I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals. I love fruit. In particular, I like bananas, pineapple, and berries. My friend hates skiing for several reasons. The first reason is that she dislikes being cold. Another reason is that she often falls.
Showing a Contrast but however on the other hand otherwise instead in contrast (more formal)	Examples Bill earned an A on his essay, but Susan got a B. We wanted to leave at 8:00. However, Mike arrived too late. She hates housecleaning. On the other hand, she doesn't mind cooking. Students should attend class. Otherwise, they may lose their status. I am not going out tonight. Instead, I will stay home and watch a video. Women usually enjoy shopping. In contrast, men often dislike it.
Showing a Concession yet nevertheless (more formal) even so however although even though despite the fact that . . . despite	Examples He knows that he should do his homework, yet he never does it. I need to wear reading glasses. Nevertheless, I hate how I look in them. I know you don't like to study. Even so, you must pass your exam. There are many benefits to exercising. However, you must take some precautions to avoid injury. Even though the book is difficult to read, it is very interesting. Although the book is difficult to read, it is very interesting. Despite the fact that Kate is good at tennis, she lost the match. Despite Kate's skill at tennis, she lost the match.
Showing a Similarity likewise (more formal) similarly (more formal) in the same way	Examples Math was hard for me in high school. Likewise, it is hard in college. Houseplants require much care and attention. Similarly, outdoor plants must be cared for properly. Rock climbing takes much practice and skill. In the same way, learning to write well requires a great deal of practice.
Showing a Result so as a result therefore thus (more formal) as a consequence consequently (more formal)	Examples Janet passed her exam, so she is very happy. Tim was late. As a result, we could not go to the concert. James is not feeling well. Therefore, he will not be here today. The committee voted against the proposal. Thus, we must consider another idea. I forgot that the cake was in the oven. As a consequence, it burned. Tina lost her keys. Consequently, she could not drive home.
Establishing Time Relation or Sequence first second finally in conclusion in summary meanwhile	Examples First, I think that she is studying hard. Second, I believe that she is a bright student. Finally, I know that she has great potential. In conclusion, I feel that she deserves to win the scholarship. In summary, we should offer her some financial help. Jeff was working hard to clean the house. Meanwhile, his brother was watching television.
Showing a Condition or whether . . . or if . . . (then)	Examples I must study hard, or I will fail my exam. Whether you are coming or not, I am still going to Amy's party. If you want to get good grades, then you must do your homework.
Explaining or Emphasizing in fact actually in other words namely (more formal)	Examples The bookstore sells cards. In fact, they have the best cards around. James is actually the first person I have known who has been to Africa. He was late to class again. In other words, he didn't wake up on time. The plan needed only two things to succeed—namely, time and money.
Giving an Alternative or either . . . or neither . . . nor (more formal)	Examples We can go to the beach, or we can go to the mountains. You can either ride the bus or walk to my apartment. I like neither that person nor his brother.

Punctuation Rules

1. Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, or, yet, so):
   Put a comma before these conjunctions. (Don't use them at the beginning of a sentence in more formal writing.)
   example: The movie has already started, but my friend has not arrived yet.


2. Correlative Conjunctions (These have two parts: either . . . or):
   • Put a comma before the second part if it connects 2 clauses (complete sentences).
     example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher, but he is also a gourmet cook.
   
   
   • You don't need a comma if it only connects words or phrases.
     example: Eric is not only an outstanding teacher but also a gourmet cook.


3. Transitional Words and Phrases:
   • Put a comma after these if they are at the beginning of a sentence.
     example: I like to travel. Specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.
   
   
   • Use a semicolon to connect the two sentences.
     example: I like to travel; specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.
   
   
   • Use a comma before and after the transitional word/phrase in the middle of a clause.
     example: I like to travel, and, specifically, I enjoy places with old cathedrals.

Word formation exercises

Do the following activities to practise for the exam: Click here

REPORTED SPEECH PRACTICE

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/reported_speech/sentences.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/reported_speech/statements.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/reported_speech/time_phrases.htm
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=425
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=183
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=2579

MOCK EXAM practice

Like vs As Conditionals

REPORTED SPEECH

FCE Reading practice tests

Practice test 1
Practice test 2
Practice test 3
Practice test 4
Practice test 5
Practice test 6