My name is Mohammed. I am 17 years old. I am studying in high school here in Libya. I like swimming, playing basketball and walking. I love watching TV, especially the MBC 4 Channel. It's the only channel I love and I'm watching every single day. I'm crazy about a series named 'Charmed'. It's talking about three wonderful sisters who love each other and they have a secret . . they are three witches. Good witches banishing demons. . . I'm sorry that I'm talking very much about them, just I'm so crazy with this series.
I have a small family, my parents, two sisters and two brothers. I'm living in a house here in Tripoli with them and with talking about my family, I have someone who is like one of my brothers. Is my best brother and my best friend. He changed me for the better, from the darkness to the lightness. The problem was that he was not my mother's child. He made me pray in the mosque every single day, five times. I have given him a name, it's 'White Lighter'. It's the best name for him. Sometimes I am telling him things my family doesn't know. He is like we can say 'wiser', he is so honest. He is standing with me in the problems to give a solution for these problems. Piousness is the best thing in him. The 'White Lighter' is named Naser adeen Bukrah. He is my best friend of all. God bless him.
My plan in the future is to travel to Britain to complete my studies there in one of the most wonderful universities like Manchester or Cambridge and after studying going to America to work there in LA or San Francisco. Just I want God to be with me every single step of the way.
I like listening to music. My favourite artists are Celine Dion, Beyonce and Shania Twain. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story of my life.
Mohamed Ben Oun
Making Progress - FCE
Friday, June 30, 2006
Introducing Myself
Hello, my name is Ahmed and I live in Mezran Street. I study in Ali Woraith, it's a high school and it's majors are medicine, economy and engineering. I hope to be a doctor because I like helping people. Just recently I had my results and I passed, so next year will be last in Ali Woraith.
I came to Yethreb School hoping that I will learn more about English, because I think if you want to be a doctor you have to know a lot about English. That's a problem with a lot of Libyan doctors that they don't know English or they know little about English.
I enjoy studying, I also enjoy sports, especially football. My favorite football club is Liverpool. And maybe if I don't make it as a doctor and I would like to be a professional football player!!!
Ahmed Ahtash
Making Progress - FCE
I came to Yethreb School hoping that I will learn more about English, because I think if you want to be a doctor you have to know a lot about English. That's a problem with a lot of Libyan doctors that they don't know English or they know little about English.
I enjoy studying, I also enjoy sports, especially football. My favorite football club is Liverpool. And maybe if I don't make it as a doctor and I would like to be a professional football player!!!
Ahmed Ahtash
Making Progress - FCE
Do I want to live to 100 years old?
Do I want to live to 100 years old? That would be nice but not if I will spend the last quarter of my life on a life-support machine, or at the mercy of the people I live with, so then I would not want to live past a hundred.
The main disadvantage is if everyone will live to be a hundred years old that there will be overcrowding of hopeless people, those who need to extra care and there would not be enough places to live in.
I'm against the idea, because I might not withstand looking at my reflection in the mirror with all the wrinkles on my face even if I decided to make plastic surgery to my face to look younger, definitely I could not make it because both because I health condition would not allow such procedures.
Also I'm against the idea because one will see that the end of the life and his family, one by one, especially those whom you love more. You have to always remember that without family, you have neither security nor the spiritual values that gives life meaning.
However, one advantage of living for 100 years is that you can leave for your family some thoughts. It's a good idea because one must creatively shape one's life so that it's productive and satisfying. 'Goals are essential to develop a person's regard for himself in his place, both in his home and in the community'.
I'm in favor of living a long life because I could learn more about life, as you know the Arabic proverb, 'The person who is older than you by one day is one year more knowledgeable than you', and it would be a great because I could see the grandchildren of my sons and feel the tree's leaves.
They say there is no one dearer than my son, only my son's sons.
Lubna Mohamed Othman
FCE Preparation
The main disadvantage is if everyone will live to be a hundred years old that there will be overcrowding of hopeless people, those who need to extra care and there would not be enough places to live in.
I'm against the idea, because I might not withstand looking at my reflection in the mirror with all the wrinkles on my face even if I decided to make plastic surgery to my face to look younger, definitely I could not make it because both because I health condition would not allow such procedures.
Also I'm against the idea because one will see that the end of the life and his family, one by one, especially those whom you love more. You have to always remember that without family, you have neither security nor the spiritual values that gives life meaning.
However, one advantage of living for 100 years is that you can leave for your family some thoughts. It's a good idea because one must creatively shape one's life so that it's productive and satisfying. 'Goals are essential to develop a person's regard for himself in his place, both in his home and in the community'.
I'm in favor of living a long life because I could learn more about life, as you know the Arabic proverb, 'The person who is older than you by one day is one year more knowledgeable than you', and it would be a great because I could see the grandchildren of my sons and feel the tree's leaves.
They say there is no one dearer than my son, only my son's sons.
Lubna Mohamed Othman
FCE Preparation
Monday, June 26, 2006
Test Your Grammar!
Oxford Practice Grammar Diagnostic Test. Take the test and print out the results. Bring them to class for your teacher.
To take the test CLICK on the image above or on this link: http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/opg/test/
Good Luck!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Effective Test Taking Strategies
Here's a website with tips that will help you when you're taking exams.
Click on the image above to visit the site or on this link: http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa022300a.htm
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Listening quizzes!
Lots of listening quizzes. Click on the image to visit the website or
click on this link: http://www.esl-lab.com/
Monday, June 12, 2006
Irregular Verbs - online fun!
How well do you know irregular verbs? Take this online quiz.
Click on the image above or on this link to begin: http://www.chompchomp.com/irregular01/irregular01.01.htm
Things could happen
I will tell you a story I had heard when I was a child.
Once upon a time, faraway, in a lively green field, there was a rabbit that had light brown fur and a tiny dark brown tail. He lived with his family in a hole in a big, grassy field. Rabbit was afraid as many wild animals but he was especially afraid of Eagle.
One day while Rabbit was eating grass in the field, he saw Eagle in the sky above him. Rabbit was very afraid and ran home as fast as he could. Rabbit stayed in his hole day after day because he was afraid to go outside. He got very hungry, but he preferred to stay in his hole. Finally, he found the courage to go outside because he needed to eat.
Carefully and slowly, he came outside the hole. He didn't see or smell any dangerous animals, so he hopped out and found some delicious grass to eat. While he was eating the grass he saw a shadow on the field and lookedup. It was Eagle. Rabbit said, 'Please don't eat me Eagle. Please don't eat me Eagle.'
Meanwhile, Eagle was on his way home to his nest when he heard a low voice below him. Eagle said to himself what is that sound? He looked around, but he didn't see anything. He decided to ignore the sounds and go home because he was tired and wanted to rest in his nest.
Then below him, Rabbit said again in a very loud voice, 'Please don't eat me Eagle.' This time Eagle heard him clearly. Eagle spotted Rabbit in the field, flew down and picked Rabbit up. 'Thank you Rabbit!' said Eagle. 'I was hungry and didn't know where I could find my dinner. It is a good thing you called me!' Then Eagle ate Rabbit for dinner.
The lesson learned from this story: If you are afraid and expect bad things to happen, bad things will happen. And the opposite is also true; if you expect good things to happen, good things will happen.
Lubna Mohammed Othman
FCE Preparation
Once upon a time, faraway, in a lively green field, there was a rabbit that had light brown fur and a tiny dark brown tail. He lived with his family in a hole in a big, grassy field. Rabbit was afraid as many wild animals but he was especially afraid of Eagle.
One day while Rabbit was eating grass in the field, he saw Eagle in the sky above him. Rabbit was very afraid and ran home as fast as he could. Rabbit stayed in his hole day after day because he was afraid to go outside. He got very hungry, but he preferred to stay in his hole. Finally, he found the courage to go outside because he needed to eat.
Carefully and slowly, he came outside the hole. He didn't see or smell any dangerous animals, so he hopped out and found some delicious grass to eat. While he was eating the grass he saw a shadow on the field and lookedup. It was Eagle. Rabbit said, 'Please don't eat me Eagle. Please don't eat me Eagle.'
Meanwhile, Eagle was on his way home to his nest when he heard a low voice below him. Eagle said to himself what is that sound? He looked around, but he didn't see anything. He decided to ignore the sounds and go home because he was tired and wanted to rest in his nest.
Then below him, Rabbit said again in a very loud voice, 'Please don't eat me Eagle.' This time Eagle heard him clearly. Eagle spotted Rabbit in the field, flew down and picked Rabbit up. 'Thank you Rabbit!' said Eagle. 'I was hungry and didn't know where I could find my dinner. It is a good thing you called me!' Then Eagle ate Rabbit for dinner.
The lesson learned from this story: If you are afraid and expect bad things to happen, bad things will happen. And the opposite is also true; if you expect good things to happen, good things will happen.
Lubna Mohammed Othman
FCE Preparation
Friday, June 09, 2006
Pros and Cons of a Gap Year
Teacher's corrections are in red.
A gap year, otherwise known as a year out is a break from study or a welcome break for many students, but can also be frustrating to others. It may indeed be a way to recharge your battery, or to explore activities near home or afar that you never had time to experience before. Most people tend to take a gap year following their secondary school after A levels and before going to university. The year out can involve time abroad to work or travel either independently or with one of the many organizations, who cater for 'gappers'. A gap year does not necessarily mean spending time abroad only. It also lets many students to stay put and work or travel nearer to home.
Research shows that gap years have given strong points to students who take a well-planned, structured year out. First of all they are more likely to be satisfied with their choice of cource, and even better, more likely to complete it. A year out can provide the time and space needed to analyse and develop their skills, self-confidence and maturity, and decide which university and course will allow them to reach their full potential. Moreover, a year out shows independence, strength of character, and the ability to plan ahead for the gappers in the future. They also have the opportunity to earn and save money to cover some costs of university fees and life. A year away from study allows you to explore a totally new way of life, and lets you gain some valuable work experience. //New paragraph There are also some possible disadvantages or weak points in taking a year off. It may allow you to decide not to further your education for the reason that you may already enjoy earning money for financial support. Students may also find it hard to get back into working/studying routine, or may lose the habit of studying. There will also be difficulty to apply to colleges especially if you are in another country. Finally, not all gap years are spent productively, either you succeed for using it wisely, or lose your plans.
In conclusion, I strongly believe/agree that taking a gap year is really advantageous to students. It provides a lot of benefits in terms of helping parents with financial support, improve their whole being to be knowledgeable about many things, learn to be independent and mature in thinking as well as their behaviour. Finally, students who had a gap year have a different outlook on life by the time they get to university.
Verma G. Briones
IELTS Preparation
Student's writing preparation:
Where and when did you write this: Office, 30th May 2006
Time spent on the first draft: 120 minutes
Time spent on the final draft: 45 minutes
Did you use a dictionary?: no
Did anybody help you?: no
How did you find it?: quite hard
Additional comments: It needs a lot of research and reading about the topic in order to come off with a good essay in addition to what we percieve on the topic.
Additional comments from teacher:
Handwriting must not be in all capital letters. (student presented the written work in all capitals).
Advantages and disadvantages must be written in separate paragraphs.
Pros and Cons of a Gap Year
A gap year, otherwise known as a year out is a break from study or a welcome break for many students, but can also be frustrating to others. It may indeed be a way to recharge your battery, or to explore activities near home or afar that you never had time to experience before. Most people tend to take a gap year following their secondary school after A levels and before going to university. The year out can involve time abroad to work or travel either independently or with one of the many organizations, who cater for 'gappers'. A gap year does not necessarily mean spending time abroad only. It also lets many students to stay put and work or travel nearer to home.
Research shows that gap years have given strong points to students who take a well-planned, structured year out. First of all they are more likely to be satisfied with their choice of cource, and even better, more likely to complete it. A year out can provide the time and space needed to analyse and develop their skills, self-confidence and maturity, and decide which university and course will allow them to reach their full potential. Moreover, a year out shows independence, strength of character, and the ability to plan ahead for the gappers in the future. They also have the opportunity to earn and save money to cover some costs of university fees and life. A year away from study allows you to explore a totally new way of life, and lets you gain some valuable work experience. //New paragraph There are also some possible disadvantages or weak points in taking a year off. It may allow you to decide not to further your education for the reason that you may already enjoy earning money for financial support. Students may also find it hard to get back into working/studying routine, or may lose the habit of studying. There will also be difficulty to apply to colleges especially if you are in another country. Finally, not all gap years are spent productively, either you succeed for using it wisely, or lose your plans.
In conclusion, I strongly believe/agree that taking a gap year is really advantageous to students. It provides a lot of benefits in terms of helping parents with financial support, improve their whole being to be knowledgeable about many things, learn to be independent and mature in thinking as well as their behaviour. Finally, students who had a gap year have a different outlook on life by the time they get to university.
Verma G. Briones
IELTS Preparation
Student's writing preparation:
Where and when did you write this: Office, 30th May 2006
Time spent on the first draft: 120 minutes
Time spent on the final draft: 45 minutes
Did you use a dictionary?: no
Did anybody help you?: no
How did you find it?: quite hard
Additional comments: It needs a lot of research and reading about the topic in order to come off with a good essay in addition to what we percieve on the topic.
Additional comments from teacher:
Handwriting must not be in all capital letters. (student presented the written work in all capitals).
Advantages and disadvantages must be written in separate paragraphs.
Gap Year
Teacher's corrections are in red.
//paragraph//
Before we go any further, let's have a look at the drawbacks of this status. Being away from the studying environment makes the come back more difficult because in general the longer you stay away, the more academic information you will lose. Moreover, this break might be planned for a specific period of your life, and you will end up somehow stuck with it for the rest of your life which will make a dramatic change in your future. In addition, a gap year (or period) could be the cemetery of your career once you get engagement from other responsibilities and duties (marriage, job, etc.).
//paragraph//
On the other hand, there could be some advantages in it, such as getting the chance to refresh the brain from the heavy load, also you might be able to travel around the world and that will broaden your horizons, exposing you to new traditions, cultures and language. What is more, you will have the capability to understand and deal with other people. It may even be so useful in terms of strengthening your resume by involving you in some volunteer work with international charities.
//paragraph//
In my opinion, whether it was your choice or not, you should always have a life plan and stay with it, as much as you can even though it can be kind of difficult and things could get out of you control, then you go with the backup plan. I think there is nothing wrong with the gap year in concept, but before going through it you should sit and ask yourself, what, when, where and how long you are going to do this for, once you know the answer you should have no problem in trying it.
Fatma Hamid
IELTS Preparation
Student's writing preparation form is unavailable.
Gap Year
The gap year is one of the stages of life that some of the students go through either by their own choice or as a result of their circumstances. It's a year or maybe even more where students get a break from studying and go to do other activities depending on the original cause of this state.//paragraph//
Before we go any further, let's have a look at the drawbacks of this status. Being away from the studying environment makes the come back more difficult because in general the longer you stay away, the more academic information you will lose. Moreover, this break might be planned for a specific period of your life, and you will end up somehow stuck with it for the rest of your life which will make a dramatic change in your future. In addition, a gap year (or period) could be the cemetery of your career once you get engagement from other responsibilities and duties (marriage, job, etc.).
//paragraph//
On the other hand, there could be some advantages in it, such as getting the chance to refresh the brain from the heavy load, also you might be able to travel around the world and that will broaden your horizons, exposing you to new traditions, cultures and language. What is more, you will have the capability to understand and deal with other people. It may even be so useful in terms of strengthening your resume by involving you in some volunteer work with international charities.
//paragraph//
In my opinion, whether it was your choice or not, you should always have a life plan and stay with it, as much as you can even though it can be kind of difficult and things could get out of you control, then you go with the backup plan. I think there is nothing wrong with the gap year in concept, but before going through it you should sit and ask yourself, what, when, where and how long you are going to do this for, once you know the answer you should have no problem in trying it.
Fatma Hamid
IELTS Preparation
Student's writing preparation form is unavailable.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
The Guest
On a dark windy night in the old city in the wintertime of the year 1990, I was writing in my diary as usual when I heard someone knocking at the door. It was about the middle of the night and no one was expected to come. I was quite lonely but I was afraid to answer, anyway I did and then found a middle-aged lady standing confidently with a painful smile. She was dressed well and didn't look like a beggar. I hadn't seen her before but I felt as if I had known her for a long time. We looked at each other in silence for a while. I wasn't able to say a word, just look at her eyes. Breaking the silence, she said with an Algerian accent 'Are used to speaking to your guest by the door?' Neither religiously nor traditionally is it accepted to let strange women into your house, but I sid unconsciously, '"No, no come in.'
'You must be curious to know who I am and the reason for this strange visit.' she said. I nodded. Speaking innocently, the woman exclaimed that she was my mother and my father had left her in Algeria when I was two! She continued that she had real evidence to prove that. I was really shocked, 'Who was the lady that I was brought up by then?' I asked astonished, 'Why didn't you come earlier? Where have you been since then?' She cried and made me cry too.
Although I am a gullible person, I didn't want to believe her immediately. But when she showed the her left arm which had on it exactly the same sign I have on mine, I started to be convinced and my thoughts went back to my childhood time. I have been told all my life that my mother had died in a car accident and my father had outlived her by a year. I have never seen either of them!
We hugged each other and I begged her to live with me. Sadly, she replied that she had to go back home and she couldn't stay any longer. Finally as the tears streamed down my cheeks I let her go back to Algeria.
Alamin Gashash
FCE Preparation
'You must be curious to know who I am and the reason for this strange visit.' she said. I nodded. Speaking innocently, the woman exclaimed that she was my mother and my father had left her in Algeria when I was two! She continued that she had real evidence to prove that. I was really shocked, 'Who was the lady that I was brought up by then?' I asked astonished, 'Why didn't you come earlier? Where have you been since then?' She cried and made me cry too.
Although I am a gullible person, I didn't want to believe her immediately. But when she showed the her left arm which had on it exactly the same sign I have on mine, I started to be convinced and my thoughts went back to my childhood time. I have been told all my life that my mother had died in a car accident and my father had outlived her by a year. I have never seen either of them!
We hugged each other and I begged her to live with me. Sadly, she replied that she had to go back home and she couldn't stay any longer. Finally as the tears streamed down my cheeks I let her go back to Algeria.
Alamin Gashash
FCE Preparation
Sunday, June 04, 2006
IELTS - Gap Year
The IELTS preparation students are learning about the advantages and disadvantages of a gap year.
Here are some links for information about this topic:
Here are some links for information about this topic:
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