Enjoy playing and learning:

http://www.eslkidsworld.com/Interactive%20games/past%20continuous%20quiz.html

Plural forms 

Rule :
Add the letter 's'.

Look at this ant please.  There are many ants on the ground.

It's my grammar book.How many grammar books do you have?..I have two grammar books

I have a red car.  Ann has two cars.

Exceptions :

Words ending in Consonant + '-y' => replace the y with '-ies':

party=>parties


Words ending in 's' / 'z', add '-es':

kiss=>kisses
bus=>buses

Words ending in '-f' ou '-fe' : -ves
life => lives

Words ending in -o : -oes (NOT for abréviations: radios, photos).

potato=>potatoes


Words ending in -ch, -tch, -sh => -es

church => churches


Irregular words:

man=>men
woman=>women
mouse=>mice
child=>children


Warning! These words don't change:

One sheep Flock of sheep

One aircraft Two aircraft


Greek or Latin words : the plural form in Greek / Latin

syllabus=> syllabi
criterion=>criteria
hypothesis=>hypotheses
phenomenon=>phenomena
analysis=>analyses
oasis=>oases

Вводные фразы для написания эссе на английском языке

Фразы и примерная структура эссе на английском языке
Начало эссе (фактически - сочинения на заданную тему) - постановка проблемы. В первом абзаце (введении) необходимо сообщить читателю тему Вашего эссе, перефразировав ее, используя синонимы ключевых слов (показывая, что вы её осмыслили). Затем следует намекнуть читателю, какую позицию займете Вы. Используйте безличные или неопределенно-личные предложения, чтобы подчеркнуть свою объективность.
Many people think … but others do not agree. Многие люди думают, (что) ... , но другие не согласны.
Let us consider what the advantages and disadvantages of … are. Рассмотрим, каковы преимущества и недостатки ... .
Let’s consider some pros and cons of it. Давайте рассмотрим некоторые плюсы и минусы (этого).
Let us start by considering the facts. Начнем с рассмотрения фактов.
Let us start by considering pros and cons of it. Начнем с рассмотрения плюсов и минусов (этого).
It is generally agreed today that … Сегодня общепризнано, что ... .

Следующие фразы можно использовать, если требуется рассмотреть аргументы "за" и "против". Не забывайте использовать слова-связки.
To begin with, … . Начнем с того, что ... .
You can … . Вы можете (Можно) ... .
Firstly, ... / Secondly, ... / Finally, ... . Во-первых, ... / Во-вторых, .../ Наконец, ... .
One argument in support of ... . Один из аргументов в поддержку ... .
The first thing that needs to be said is ... . Первое, что нужно сказать, это то, что ... . (Прежде всего, следует сказать, что … .)
First and foremost … . В первую очередь … .

It is true that ... / clear that ... / noticeable that ... . Это правда, что ... / Ясно, что ... / Примечательно, что ...
One should note here that ... . Здесь следует отметить, что ... .

Another good thing about … is that … . Еще один положительный момент … заключается в (том, что) ... .
The second reason for ... . Вторая причина ... .
It is often said that ... . Часто говорят, что ... .
It is undeniable that... Нельзя отрицать, что ... .
It is a well-known fact that ... . Хорошо известно, что ... .
For the great majority of people ... . Для подавляющего большинства людей ... .
We live in a world in which ... . Мы живем в мире, в котором ... .
A number of key issues arise from the statement. For instance, ... . Это утверждение затрагивает ряд ключевых вопросов. Например, ... .
One of the most striking features of this problem is ... . Один из самых поразительных аспектов этой проблемы ... .
First of all, let us try to understand ... . Прежде всего, давайте попытаемся понять ... .
The public in general tend to believe that ... . Общественность в целом склонна полагать, что ... .

What is more, … . Более того, ... .
Besides, … because it is … . Кроме того, ... потому что ... .
Doubtless, ... . Несомненно, ... .
One cannot deny that ... . Нельзя отрицать, что ... .
It is (very) clear from these observations that ... . Из этих наблюдений (абсолютно) ясно, что ... .

On the other hand, we can observe that ... . С другой стороны, мы можем наблюдать, что ... .
The other side of the coin is, however, that ... . Однако, с другой стороны, ... .
Another way of looking at this question is to ... . Чтобы взглянуть на эту проблему с другой стороны, надо ... .
One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle. Тем не менее, следует взглянуть на эту проблему с другой стороны.
One should, however, not forget that ... . Тем не менее, не следует забывать, что ... .
If on the one hand it can be said that ... the same is not true for ... . И если с одной стороны, можно сказать, что ... , то же самое нельзя сказать о ... .
On the other hand, … . С другой стороны, ... .
Although … . Хотя ... .
Besides, … . Кроме того, ... .
Moreover, … . Более того, … .
Furthermore, one should not forget that ... . Кроме того, не следует забывать, что ... .
In addition to ... . Кроме (того, что) ... .
Nevertheless, one should accept that ... . Тем не менее, следует признать, что ... .
However, we also agree that ... . Однако, мы также согласны с тем, что ... .

Подкрепить свою мысль можно мнением (неких абстрактных) экспертов.
Experts... Эксперты ...
... believe that … . ... считают, что … .
... say that … . ... говорят, что … .
... suggest that … . ... предполагают, что … .
... are convinced that … . ... убеждены, что … .
... point out that … . ... отмечают, что … .
... emphasize that … . ... подчеркивают, что … .

According to some experts... По мнению некоторых экспертов, ... .
Perhaps we should also point out the fact that ... . Возможно, нам также следует отметить тот факт, что ... .
It would be unfair not to mention that fact that ... . Было бы несправедливо не упомянуть тот факт, что ... .
One must admit that ... . Надо признать, что ... .
We cannot ignore the fact that ... . Мы не можем игнорировать тот факт, что ... .
One cannot possibly accept the fact that ... . Трудно смириться с тем фактом, что ... .
From these facts, one may conclude that ... . Из этих фактов, можно сделать вывод (о том), что ... .
Which seems to confirm the idea that ... . Что, по-видимому, подтверждает мысль (о том), что ... .
Thus, ... / Therefore,... Таким образом, ... / Поэтому ... .
The most common argument against this is that ... . Наиболее распространенным аргументом против этого является то, что ... .

В заключении эссе делаете вывод.
In conclusion, I can say that although … , … . В заключение я могу сказать, что, хотя ... , ... .
To draw the conclusion, one can say that … . Подводя итог, можно сказать, что ... .
So it’s up to everybody to decide whether … or not. Так что каждый должен решить для себя ... ли … , или нет.
The arguments we have presented ... suggest that ... / prove that ... / would indicate that ... . Представленные нами аргументы ... предполагают, что ... / доказывают, что ... / указывают на то, что ... .
From these arguments one must ... / could... / might ... conclude that ... . Исходя из этих аргументов, надо ... / можно ... / можно было бы ... прийти к заключению о том, что ... .

Образец эссе с аргументацией «за» и «против» ЗАДАНИЕ:

In western countries after secondary school, students very often do not continue immediately with their studies, but they take a one year break, called a ‘gap year’, when they travel or do voluntary work. Write an argumentative essay presenting arguments for and against the gap year.
Образец эссе: 
Введение в тему

In today’s world of fierce competition, it is important for young people to get well-prepared for the challenges of the future. Thus the institution of gap year can be regarded as a step in the right direction though it is also not without its problems.
Аргументы «за»
In its favour, the gap year seems to be useful psychologically as it helps young people understand their needs and interest better before they actually commit themselves to any particular career path. Besides, the gap year has educational advantages because it offers a lot of opportunities to learn about the world and one’s own place in it. For all these reasons, the gap year can be regarded as a positive social institution.
Аргументы «против»
However, as critics are quick to point out, the gap year can in fact be harmful as it interrupts with the rhythm of learning and often makes it difficult for students to return to their studies. Apart from that, unfortunately not every young person can afford to travel around the world and many of them end up sitting around at home, which can be very demotivating.
Заключение

All in all, the gap year may arouse mixed feelings, but still thousands of people every year take a year off. One can only hope they will use it fruitfully, minimizing the dangers and taking full advantage of its benefits.

Как описать картинку. План и функциональная лексика, а также образец описания

Name the theme of the picture. This picture is on the subject / topic / issue of........ (entertainment; sport; hobbies; environment; shopping etc.).

Say where it was taken. It was (probably) taken inside / outside.

Say where the action is happening. In this picture the action is taking place in. (the house; the living room; the gym; the swimming pool; the theme park etc.).

Describe the background. In the background of this picture there is / are; I can see /  make out ........ (some pieces of furniture; sports equipment; some people doing shopping etc.).

Describe the foreground. In the foreground I can see........ (some children; a family; a shop assistant etc.).

Describe what the people are doing. Looking at these people I get the impression that they are ........(having dinner; watching a film; having a break; doing their homework etc.)

What the people look like. (Age / height / build / hair / eyes / nose / mouth / special features / general impression)

What the people are wearing. (Casually / formally-dressed; the description of pieces of clothes)

How the people are feeling. (Bored / annoyed / upset / sad / miserable / lonely / unhappy / depressed / confused / furious / angry / relaxed / concentrated / worried / happy / tired / interested / puzzled / confident / interested / excited / calm / pleased / thrilled / relieved / amazed)

Describe the season / weather. I think / suppose / guess it's summer spring /   winter /  autumn since .........

Talk about the atmosphere. The atmosphere in the picture is ........ (friendly, peaceful, relaxing, tense, busy, warm, cosy, happy etc.).

Talk about your personal attitude to the picture. How the picture makes you feel. Personally I, / As for me, / Frankly speaking, I like this picture as it is bright and colourful, full of positive emotions, etc.). Generally speaking, this picture doesn't appeal to me because ........ (this activity is not my cup of tea /  I hate doing........).

  

This picture It was taken outside. In this picture the action is taking place somewhere in the park. In the background of this picture I can make out some greenery, some bushes and trees. In the foreground I can see a girl who is sitting on the green grass under a tall tree and reading a book. Looking at the girl I get the impression that she is preparing for her English class as next to her on the grass there are some books and one of them is an English dictionary. I suppose the girl is 14 years old, she is of medium height and slim with long, straight, dark hair and big eyes. She is wearing a pony tail. This girl has a small nose, a pretty mouth with full lips and dimples. I think she is attractive. The girl is casually-dressed. She is wearing a short-sleeved, checked, colorful shirt, a pair of white baggy trousers and a pair of sandals. It seems to me that the girl is interested in what she is doing. She is taking pleasure in learning the language because she is smiling. Also, she is feeling relaxed and happy. I believe it's summer or early autumn and the weather is glamorous. The sun is shining, the grass is green and it's very warm as the girl is wearing light clothes. The atmosphere in the picture is relaxing, peaceful and friendly. Generally speaking, this picture appeals to me since it is full of positive emotions and I am keen on learning foreign languages.

Эссе