Vocabulary: Word-building with prefixes and suffixes

(B1), B2, C1

A good way to develop your vocabulary is to learn different forms of the same word. In this activity, you will think of ways to change a root word by adding prefixes before or suffixes after the word. You will then practise using some of these words in sentences. Activity time: 20 to 45 minutes.

Task:   

1  Complete this table with other forms of the root word. Note that sometimes the meaning of the word changes completely e.g. close = shut  but disclose = reveal.

You can choose from these prefixes and suffixes:

Prefixes:    dis-     mis-    re-         non-     un-       irr-

Suffixes:   -able    -or      -ment    -less     -y         -ible     -ity       -ful      -ness      -iour    -ive

ROOT WORD	PREFIX	SUFFIX
close	disclose	closure
taste
like
sense
visit
understand
play
appoint
behave
agree
rational
friendly
comfort
treat
do

2  Now complete these sentences with prefixed and suffixed words from 1.

1   I don't want you to ______________ me. Let me clarify what I mean. (prefix)
2   Sorry, you can't see the doctor if you don't have an ______________. (suffix)

3   Our neighbour is very ______________. He never says hello when he sees you. (prefix)

4   I don't agree with you at all. What you're saying is total ______________! (prefix)
5   This sofa is very ______________ - I could easily fall asleep on it! (suffix)
6   She's a very ______________ person - she never takes decisions without thinking.(suffix)

7   You'll need to write that report. Do you think that's ______________ before Friday?  (suffix)

8   Mmm, this pasta is very ______________. What did you put in the sauce? (suffix)

9   The children always ______________ at my parents' house because they're too strict with them. (prefix)
10  We need the boss' ______________ before we can proceed with this project  (suffix)
11  I want to ______________ some of the towns I stayed in when I was a student. (prefix)

12  My cat loves to run after a piece of string. She's very ______________.  (suffix)

The answers are at the end of this activity.

Video: A scene from "Friends"

(B1), B2, C1

The American series Friends ran for ten seasons and is still shown regularly on TV and streaming sites all round the world. In this activity from ESL Video, you are going to watch a scene from the very first season of the series and do two different comprehension activities. Video time: 3 minutes 21 seconds. Activity time:  15 to 45 minutes.

Task:   

1  Click on "Quiz". Then start the video and answer the questions as you watch.

2  Click on "Gapfill" and complete the sentences. Watch the video again to check your answers.

3  (optional) Click on "Transcript". Read the text and watch the video at the same time.

The video and activities are here.

Grammar: "As" and "like"

(A2), B1, (B2)

A lot of learners have difficulty distinguishing between the words as and like. In this activity from the British Council Learn English website, you will learn about the differences. You will read a grammar summary and do two exercises to test your understanding. Activity time: 10 to 30 minutes.

Task:   

1  Do the first exercise to test your knowledge.

2  Understand your mistakes (if you have any!) by reading the grammar explanation that follows.

3  Do the second exercise to test your understanding

The activity is here.

 

Vocabulary: Colour idioms

B1, B2, (C1)

As in all languages, English is rich with idiomatic expressions using the words for different colours. You are going to complete some sentences that illustrate the use of some of these idioms. You will then match these idioms to their meaning . Activity time: 10-20 minutes

Task:

1  Complete the sentences with the words in the list. The activity is here.

2  Which idioms in 1 correspond to these definitions?

a   it was totally unexpected
b   a little ill
c   a great chance

d   (be) seen doing something you shouldn't
e    sometimes it's better not to change
f    excluded from an activity that others can do
g   things that are not clear or uncertain

h   approve

i    a special welcome

The answers are at the end of this activity.

Video: The Science of Persuasion

B1, B2, C1

How can we be persuaded to buy a product or service? What makes us decide to give our money or support to a cause? In this animated video from Youtube, you will learn about the six universal principles of persuasion, as defined by social psychologist Dr Robert Cialdini in his book "Influence". Video time: 11 minutes 50 seconds. Activity time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Task:

1 Watch the video below and note 
 - the meaning of each of the six "shortcuts"
 - an example of each one

                       
2 Now match each of these sentences with one of the six shortcuts. (NB. There are two sentences for each one.) Watch the video again to check if necessary.

__  Look for areas of similarity you share with others, and...compliments you can give

__  It doesn’t...matter if the person is likely to prosper from the introduction themselves

__  If your colleague does you a favour, you owe that colleague a favour

__  You ideally get those commitments in writing

__  Speak to Peter - he has over 20 years experience  selling properties

__  I hope they’re not the same towels

__  You need to point out what people stand to lose

__  It has an influence on how much tip you leave

__  Very few people would be willing to erect an unsightly wooden board on their front lawn

__  People want more of those things there are less of

__  You may have noticed that hotels often place a small card in bathrooms

__  Some groups were told: “Time is money: Get straight down to business”

3 Do you use any of  these techniques yourself? Do they work when somebody uses them on you?

The answers to Exercises 1 and 2 are at the bottom of this page.

Pronunciation: how pauses change meaning

(A2), B1, B2, (C1)

This activity from the Pronunciation Studio website takes a humorous look at how different pauses (and punctuation) in a sentence can change the meaning completely. You will see ten sentences and then hear each one spoken in two different ways. You can then read an explanation of the different meanings. Activity time: 10 to 25 minutes.


Task: First look at these sentences. Can you see how each one could be punctuated in two different ways?

1   let's eat grandma
2   a woman without her man is nothing
3   oh no vodka
4   why don't you run over kate
5   don't eat that honey
6   call me gorgeous if you like
7   most of the time travellers have jet lag
8   we love cooking children and watching films 
9   how do you write clearly
10 what is this thing called love 

Now go to the activity and check your answers. Listen to the sentences spoken and repeat what you hear. Then come back to this page and try saying the sentences again without the audio and the punctuation to help you.

The activity page is here