English Materials

Dear visitors,

If you need some English  materials (in audio form), you may download the materials below:

1. English Materials Part 1a, please download here 
2. English Materials Part 1b, please download here
3. English Materials Part 1c, please download here
4. English Materials Part 1d, please download here
5. English Materials Part 2a, please download here
6. English Materials Part 2b, please download here
7. English Materials Part 2c, please download here
8. English Materials Part 2d, please download here
9. English Materials Part 3a, please download here
10. English Materials Part 3b, please download here
11. English Materials Part 3c, please download here
12. English Materials Part 3d, please download here
13. English Materials Part 3e, please download here
14. English Materials Part 4a, please download here
15. English Materials Part 4b, please download here
16. English Materials Part 4c, please download here
17. English Materials Part 4d, please download here
18. English Materials Part 4e, please download here
19. English Materials Part 4f, please download here
20. English Materials Part 5a, please download here
21. English Materials Part 5b, please download here 

Thanks for downloading the materials. Hope you get benefit from it.

What’s the difference between pick, select, and choose?

Answering this question took some thought and research. People who speak English naturally sometimes forget the rules for word choice! At first it seemed these words were merely synonyms. It couldn’t be that easy. When it comes to English, even synonyms usually have a slight difference. Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
pick (verb)
definition 1: to look for and take out of the ground (Example: “Let’s pick some flowers.”)
definition 2: to choose one (Example: “Pick a card.”)
Usage: common, informal use; mainly used in conversation
Other words and phrases with pick
take your pick (noun): it’s your choice/it’s up to you (Example: “Which pumpkin would you like? Take your pick!”)
to have one’s pick (noun): to have one’s vote (Example: “Barack Obama has my pick.” )
to pick at: to play with but not really eat what’s on your plate (Example: “Stop picking at your dinner.”)
to pick up (or “not” pick up): to understand; to process in the brain (Example: “I finally picked it up after the third example.”)
to pick up: to go and get someone (Example: “I’ll pick you up after school.”)
to pick on: to bother or pester (Example: The older boys always pick on the younger ones.”)
to pick out: to choose the one you want (Example: “Pick out a dress for the party.”)
to pick through: to search through a large assortment (such as a messy pile of clothes)

choose (verb)
definition 1: to make a choice between a number or things (common in written and spoken English)
definition 2: to decide or prefer ( Example: “I chose to complete the application at home.” Or negative: “I chose not to take the job.” Example 2: “Many people are choosing to learn Chinese rather than English.”)
choose between (when the choice involves 2 items)
choose among (when the choice involves more than 2)

select (verb)
definition: to choose from multiple items (more formal than “choose”)
You will often see “select” in written or spoken instructions (rarely in conversation).
Examples:
Select a paint colour that will compliment the furniture and accessories in your home.
Select the best answer. (You may also see choose.)
Select a few winners.
Note “select” can also be an adjective meaning “prize quality”. Example: “Only use “select paper” for your resume.”
Don’t worry too much about these differences unless you are taking a standardized exam and have to make a choice between them. When it comes to English, communication is the key. No matter which word you choose, your listener will get a picture.

Some Ways to Improve Vocabulary besides Reading Books and Newspapers 

Many learners said that it is difficult for them to enjoy reading in English. The truth is, if you don’t learn to love reading in general, you will have a more difficult time improving your vocabulary long-term. Instead of giving up on books and newspapers you may need to find ones that are more appropriate to your level.

I will never forget an old friend of my sisters from Japan who was learning English at that time. She did not have more time than any of the other friends. In fact, he had small children at home and a busy schedule outside of his English lessons. The key to her vocabulary acquisition was independent reading and developing a love for it. When she learned new words she made extra effort to write them down and use them in his essays and presentations. This in turn made her a great writer and speaker and she soon advanced to the highest level proficiency.

Did you know that it can take up to 50 times of seeing a new word before you have the ability to use it properly? This is especially true for words that have many different meanings or words you don’t need often. Deep processing occurs more quickly if you make a special point to use (rather than just list) new words. Many learners focus on spelling and definitions of new words, but it is also important to be able to give examples and synonyms of the word and learn the correct pronunciation of it. 

 

Here are some other ideas for making vocabulary stick in your brain.

• Subscribe to a magazine of your interest.
• Read the sections of the newspaper that interest you. (entertainment, sports too!)
• Keep a portable personal dictionary (buy a small address book and fill in new words and meanings as you learn them-limit yourself to a few each day and make sure to use them)
• Use magnetic letters on your fridge. When you learn a new word put it on your fridge with magnetic letters (or colourful markers or cut outs). This is how kids learn -don’t be afraid to have fun.
• Learn an idiom or phrasal word each day. Then practise using it by writing an email, a blog, or a comment. 
• Play word games: Scrabble is the most popular word games that any English level learner can play.You can check to bookstores to have more word games.
• Watch movies with English subtitles (and hold a remote so that you can go back often)
• Freewrite with the new words you’ve learned every day! Practice your writing and share words with friends.

Well, try these tips and I believe you can gain many new vocabularies in a fun way..

Tenses

TENSE	POSITIVE	NEGATIVE	QUESTION	USE
Simple Present	I play tennis on Mondays.	They don't (do not) work in New York.	Does she know him?	Habitual activities - States
Simple Past	She went to Paris last week.	They didn't (did not) drive to work.	Where did she get that hat?	Actions happening at a defined moment in the past.
Simple Future	I'll (will) meet you at the airport tomorrow.	He won't (will not) be able to come.	Will they visit us soon?	Decisions made at the moment about the future, future predictions, future promises
Present Continuous	He's (is) working at the moment.	They aren't (are not) coming this evening.	What are you doing?	Actions happening at the present moment. Near future intention and scheduling.
Past Continuous	I was watching TV when you called.	He wasn't (was not) working when she arrived.	What were you doing when I called?	Interrupted past action, action happening at a specific moment in time in the past.
Future Continuous	I'll (will) be cooking dinner when you arrive.	They won't (will not) be living in Paris this time next year.	What will you be doing next week at this time?	Future action at a specific moment in the future.
Future with Going to	He's (is) going to fly to Boston next week.	They're (are) not going to invite the Browns.	Where are you going to stay?	Future intent or planned action
Present Perfect	I've (have) seen Mick three times this week.	She hasn't (has not) been to New York.	How long have you worked at Smith's?	1)To express an action that was begun in the past and continues into the present. 2) To express an action that happened in the Unspecified past. 3) To express a recent action that has a present effect.
Past Perfect	I'd (had) already eaten before they came.	She hadn't (had not) been to Rome before that trip.	Had you ever seen such a crazy lady before that?	To express an action that happens before another action in the past.
Future Perfect	We'll (will) have lived here for twenty years by 2005.	She won't (will not) have finished her homework by the time we arrive.	How long will you have lived in France by the end of next year?	To express what will have happened or how long something will have happened up to a certain point in the future.
Present Perfect Continuous	She's (has) been waiting for over three hours.	They haven't (have not) been studying for long.	How long have you been working on that problem?	To express the duration of a continuous activity begun in the past and continuing into the present.
Past Perfect Continuous	She'd (had) been waiting for three hours when he finally arrived.	I hadn't (had not) been sleeping for long when I heard the doorbell ring.	How long had you been playing tennis when she arrived?	To express the duration of a continuous activity begun before another activity in the past.
Future Perfect Continuous	He'll (will) have been sleeping for a few hours by the time we arrive.	She won't (will not) have been working for long by 5 o'clock.	How long will you have been driving by 6 o'clock?	To express the duration of an activity up to a point of time in the future.