Talking about walking
I haven't heard about the grape seed tradition before, Silvia - it sounds pretty tricky! I used to like turrón, but it's too sweet for me now. I remember walking in the hills above Alicante in February, and the amazing sight of groves of almond trees in blossom!
Talking about walking, I went for a walk along the beach today. I said before that the shape of the dunes is constantly changing, and the same thing applies to the beach. You can never be quite sure how wide it's going to be, and sometimes there are miniature sand 'cliffs' about half a metre or a metre high, that appear for a few weeks and then disappear again. Today, after a few days of pretty stormy weather, the beach was quite narrow in places, and there were heaps of sand blown onto the wooden steps that lead down to the beach.
Sometimes, after a storm, if you're lucky, you can find pieces of amber, which is solidified resin (the sticky substance produced by pine trees). If you're not so lucky, on the other hand, you only find plastic cartons and bits of wood. Amber is used in making jewellery. It can be any shade of yellow or orange, or even green, or sometimes even black. Very often it's translucent (it lets light through) and occasionally you can see insects trapped inside.
Did I find any amber today? No. I didn't bother looking, actually - it was already getting dark.
Here's a photo of the beach - not today, though ..... it must have been taken in the spring or autumn. The rather grand building on the right is a hotel.
Moving to the city ..... Do you know what's wrong with the phrase "the today's city"? Well, the answer is that you don't say "the today", so you don't say "the today's". There are two better versions:
today's city
the city of today
Another example of the same thing is "the Spain’s footwear industry". You don't say 'the Spain', so you should say:
Spain’s footwear industry
or
the Spanish footwear industry
Similarly, Ana Paula wrote "the shoes history". If you were talking about some particular shoes, such as a pair of shoes that had taken you on a lot of adventures, you could in fact say 'the shoes' history', but if you're talking about shoes in general, you should say:
the history of shoes
Chinalucy wrote: "Without shoes, we cannot take even one step forward." Although it isn't literally true (after all, people can walk barefoot) I like it very much and I think that as a metaphor it would quite a good 'quote to live by', don't you? (I suppose it would also be quite a good slogan for the footwear industry!)
Towns and cities: People generally think of cities as being really big places, but in Britain the official, bureaucratic definition of a city is a place with either a cathedral or a university. So Wells, in England, with its magnificent cathedral and its population of 10,000, is officially a city, and so is St. Andrews, in Scotland, with its university dating back to the early 15th century - the third oldest university in the United Kingdom, in fact; I suppose you can all guess which the first two were? The population of St. Andrews is 16,000 ..... plus 8000 students!
Here are some more good suggestions that readers have made for asking delicate questions:
I don't mean to be personal, but .....
Sorry if I'm being too personal, but .....
Don't take it the wrong way, but .....
For those of you who'd like a bit of practice .....
Can you correct these sentences from various blog participants:
Is evident its Arabic cultural heritage.
What does it mean the expression "irse de tapas"?
It's also traditional the chocolate yule log.
And .....
See if you can fill the gaps in these sentences. You can find all the answers in the blogs by Silvia and me.
Łeba is ______ for its dunes.
It's got a lot in common ______ Elche.
Mistakes are an ______ part of the process of learning.
The "Life and Sole" museum ______ a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes.
It's pouring ______ rain.
At midnight every clock ______ 12.
Some people have no sense of ______ when it comes ______ spending money.
I can't single ____ one film as my favourite.
Tourism is the major ______ of income.
Climate change is a direct ______ of the way human beings act.
Thanks for pointing ______ that Spanish Christmas traditions are different.
Good luck!
Jonathan
Comments
I have just happened to find this bbc site for practising and learning English and I am not only fascinated with the opportunities to learn and practice the language but delighted with all the things you say about your countries and lives. Hope to be in contact with you very often
Good night Jonathan! Thank for your correction. I always mix up when I have to write a sentence like that. I´ll pay more attention :-). Looking at this lovely picture you posted today make me want to go to the beach. In fact, I live half an hour far from the beach coast, but I never go there. Oh, I need to change this. Anyway, I have a go at the homework: It´s evidently an Arabic heritage site. What´s the meaning of the expression "irse de tapas"? The yule log of chocolate is also tradicional. Łeba is renowened for its dunes. It's got a lot in common with Elche. Mistakes are an essential part of the process of learning. The "Life and Sole" museum has a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It's pouring with rain. At midnight every clock strikes 12. Some people have no sense of moderation when it comes to spending money. I can't single out one film as my favourite. Tourism is the major source of income. Climate change is a direct consequence of the way human beings act. Thanks for pointing out that Spanish Christmas traditions are different. I´m off to bed now. See you soon, Ana Paula.
Dear Jonathan, here is my homework. I suspect it is little fun reading through people's homework, so I will understand if you choose to skip the homework bit. I am mainly posting it here for myself, to attain the feeling of accomplishment :) Thanks for pushing us! Sincerely, Ana P.S. Have you seen some prehistoric insects trapped in the amber you have actually found? HOMEWORK: It is evidence of its Arabic cultural heritage. What does the expression "irse de tapas" mean? The chocolate yule log is also traditional (OR It is also traditional to make a chocolate yule log). Renouned; with; essential; houses; with; strikes; moderation, to; out; source; consequence; out.
Hello Jonathan, thank you! You have been providing us with some grammar points. Would you like to share some specialities of Poland with us such as food or any traditions that you find to be different? Here are my answers to the HW that you have set for us.1)The evident is its Arabic cultural heritage.2) What does it mean by the expression "irse de tapas"? 3)It's also a tradition to make chocolat yule log. Answers to the blanks:1) renowned 2)with 3) essential 4) houses 5) with 6) strikes 7) moderation, to 8) out 9) source 10) consequence 11) out. Best wishes, Naheed
The dune pictures were very interesting Jonathan. I was surprised, how white the sand was. In my opinion you had captivated almost a dreamlike feeling in you first dune picture. Maybe the ever lasting sandbank movement and the white clouds made the impact so vivid.
Hi,Jonathan How are you and your wife,today? the weather has been great here. I have been doing the homework and I think I have just finished. Here are my answers. 1,Is evident its Crabic cultural heritage?2,What does it mean the expression of Irse de tapas?3,It's also a traditional chocolate yule dog.1)renowned2)with3)essential4)has5)with6)strikes7)moderation and to8)out9)sauce11)out.thanks!
Very interesting story and useful language advice! Thanks for spending time writing up this entry!
Hi Jonathan. I live in a coastal city too, and sometimes I walk along the beach, but I have never found amber, only pebbles and shells. However, I know that amber with insects inside are a jewell not only for collectors, they are also precious for scientist who study prehistoric life. Do you remember Jurassic Park. These are my answers to your exercices. Its Arabic cultural heritage is evident. What does the expresión “irse de tapas” mean? Chocolate yule log is tradicional also. Leba is renowned for its dunes It’s got a lot in common with Elche. Mistakes are an essential part of the process of learning. The "Life and Sole" museum houses a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It’s pouring with rain. At midnight every clock strikes 12. Some people have no sense of moderation when it comes to spending Money. I can’t single out one film as my favourite. Tourism is the major source of income. Climate change is a direct consequece of the way humans beings act. Thanks for pointing out that Spanish Christmas traditions are different. I expect I have done it a little better this time. Bye
Dear Jonathan, I found it interesting learn that shapes of dunes and beach never remain same. Then it came to mind that if this is so, how traveling agent arrange visit to beach? Photographs you posted are very nice and attractive. I try to solve your questions as follows: Is there any evident that it’s an Arabic cultural heritage? Łeba is famous for its dunes. It's got a lot in common with Elche. Mistakes are known part of the process of learning. The "Life and Sole" museum is a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It's pouring down rain. At midnight every clock shows 12. Some people have no sense of its value when it comes wisely spending money. I can't single out one film as my favourite. Tourism is the major source of income. Climate change is a direct consequence of the way human beings act. Thanks for pointing out that Spanish Christmas traditions are different.
Hi Jonathan, my answers to the exercise: Łeba is famous for its dunes. It's got a lot in common with Elche. Mistakes are an indespensable part of the process of learning. The "Life and Sole" museum exhibits a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It's pouring in rain. At midnight every clock stirkes 12. Some people have no sense of wisdom when it comes to spending money. I can't single out one film as my favourite. Tourism is the major source of income. Climate change is a direct consequence of the way human beings act. Thanks for pointing out that Spanish Christmas traditions are different. Regards,
1-Is evident (of) its Arabic cultural heritage. 2-What does the expression "irse de tapas" mean ? 3- the chocolate yule log is also traditional .
G’day Jonathan, Thanks for teaching us the better versions today’s city, the city of today, Spain’s footwear industry, the Spanish footwear industry, the history of shoes. Let me try this week’s challenge Is evident its Arabic cultural heritage - This is evident in Arabic culture What does it mean the expression "irse de tapas"? - What is the meaning for the expression "irse de tapas"? It's also traditional the chocolate Yule log. It’s also the traditional chocolate Yule log. Łeba is renowed for its dunes. It's got a lot in common with Elche. Mistakes are an essential part of the process of learning. The "Life and Sole" museum has a huge collection of boots and shoes of all sorts, shapes and sizes. It's pouring with rain. At midnight every clock strikes 12. Some people have no sense of moderation when it comes to spending money. I can't single out one film as my favorite. Tourism is the major source of income. Climate change is a direct of the way human beings act. Thanks for pointing us that Spanish Christmas traditions are different. Mr. Marks you really will make everyone to work hard. Of course, I am looking forward for that. Cheerio, Praveen Raj
Exciting and interestiong blog. Bravo
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