HOMEWORK â„–4
Post categories: Student blog
| 14:24 UK time, Sunday, 13 June 2010
Hi Nuala,
Answering your question about the trams on Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia still has such a romantic transport. I like riding on it on Saturday or Sunday nights, when the city is brightly lit. And during a day it's the only way to cope with traffic jams and to be on time wherever you need. In Moscow we also have trams. But they don't help in this aspect, Moscow Metro takes this function on itself.
I'd say, you catch me! Every day I wake up and go to the window. I can't believe, I live in the city with such an amazing view! There are no hills or mountains in my native city, that's why I admire Vitosha Mountain. And the Campsies are magnificent! Do you miss the view, living in London? Have you ever been on the top of them?
After lyrical digression, it's time to study!
Formal language
I think, you are right about using of formal words in my texts. When I study historical or cultural details for my article, I pick up more formal words, than I need. I'll try to manage it next time!
1. Its population is about 2 million people.
A: Here live about 2 million people
2. Here were founded the structures, dated the 4th century BC.
A: There are the structures, dated the 4th century BC.
3. We begin our tour on the square where Alexander Nevsy Cathedral is situated.
A: We begin our tour on the square with Alexander Nevsy Cathedral.
4. It accommodates about 5,000 persons.
A: It gathers about 5,000 people.
5. 14,000 students receive their education annually.
A: 14,000 students study in the University each year.
Spelling
6. if you ever do get the change to go there
A: if you ever do get the chance to go there
7. bus rout
A: bus route
8. a salutary yogurt bar
A: a salvatory yogurt bar
9. frozen barriers
A: frozen berries
10. St Nicholas the miracle make
A: St Nicholas the miracle makes
11. Yang people choose this place to ride their skateboards
A: Young people choose this place to ride their skateboards
Best wishes,
Jan
Comment number 1.
At 13th Jun 2010, Mahjabeen wrote:Jan! Your last blog is outstanding. All the pics are fab. You're quite an intelligent girl because you got a chance to work as an interpreter and a host on the government project between Russia and Bulgaria. You visited more then nine states on the expense of Bulgaria government. Lucky you! We wish you all the best for the future and don't forget to leave your 'id' of FB. Hope to keep in touch with you after blogs.
BestWishes,
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 14th Jun 2010, Jan wrote:Hi Mahjabeen!
Thank you very much! I wish you all the best too! I'd like to be in touch in FB. Evgeniya Stoykova is my ID. Welcome!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 15th Jun 2010, Nuala wrote:Hi Jan,
You did well on the spelling part of this homework task but you might want to revisit a few of the formal/informal sentences again. Here are a few pointers on the homework assignment:
1. Its population is about 2 million people.
A: Here live about 2 million people
1. This is almost right. You just need to change the word order a bit to make it sound more natural. Like this:
About 2 million people live here.
2. Here were founded the structures, dated the 4th century BC.
A: There are the structures, dated the 4th century BC.
2. Again, you're almost right here. You improved the original by getting rid of the passive 'were founded' but now you need to add a couple of words 'here' and 'from', as well as changing 'dated' to 'dating' and deleting one of the 'the's
There are structures here dating from the 4th century BC.
3. We begin our tour on the square where Alexander Nevsy Cathedral is situated.
A: We begin our tour on the square with Alexander Nevsy Cathedral.
3. Good. How you've re-worded the sentence is fine. The main point was to try to eliminate the formal 'situated'. You could also say:
We begin our tour on the square where Alexander Nevsy Cathedral is.
or
We begin our tour on the square at Alexander Nevsy Cathedral.
4. It accommodates about 5,000 persons.
A: It gathers about 5,000 people.
4. This isn't the correct use of 'gather'. We usually use 'gather' like this:
'5,000 people gathered to demonstrate against the government'
To correct your original sentence, I'd use 'can hold', like this:
It [the cathedral] can hold about 5,000 people.
5. 14,000 students receive their education annually.
A: 14,000 students study in the University each year.
5. Much better! The only tiny thing I'd change here is 'in' to 'at'.
14,000 students study at the University each year.
6. if you ever do get the change to go there
A: if you ever do get the chance to go there
6. Perfect!
7. bus rout
A: bus route
7. Well done!
8. a salutary yogurt bar
A: a salvatory yogurt bar
8. I'm not quite sure what you mean here. 'Salvatory' isn't a word in English and your original 'salutary' means 'causing improvement of behaviour or character', which isn't something we usually associate with yoghurt (or yogurt). Are any of these words what you were looking for?
solitary, life-saving, stationary, mouth-watering
9. frozen barriers
A: frozen berries
9. Perfect
10.St Nicholas the miracle-make
A: St Nicholas the miracle-makes
10. Actually this should be:
St Nicholas the miracle-maker.
11.Yang people choose this place to ride their skateboards
A: Young people choose this place to ride their skateboards
11. A nice easy one to finish off with. Well done!
All the best,
Nuala
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 15th Jun 2010, Jan wrote:Hi Nuala,
Thank you for your corrections and explanations! I am grateful for your attention and patience! Now I think it's really useful method of learning language. The first half of the month past and I've already felt an effect. Thank you again!
About sentence number 8. I meant, that I sought salvation from heat in the yogurt bar. I was looking something like "salvational coolness". But I couldn't find the right one. Have you got any suggestions?
Best wishes,
Jan
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 16th Jun 2010, Nuala wrote:Hi Jan,
Would either of these two fit the bill for number 8?
a life-saving yoghurt bar
or
a thirst-quenching one
All the best,
Nuala
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)