Bite an English per day

A tall eastern girl named Short long loved a big Mr. Little.
But Little, thinking little of Short, loved a little lass named Long.
To belittle Long, Short announced She would marry Little before long.
This caused Little shortly to marry Long.
To make a long story short, did tall Short love big Little less because Little loved little Long more?

Prefixes [pre (before) + fix (fasten) = fasten before]

are groups of letters placed before words or roots. Prefixes change or extend the meanings of words and roots.

A

• anti- against
• antipathy (noun): dislike, opposite feeling
• anti + path + y

• auto- self
• automotive (adjective): related to self-propelled machines
• auto + mot + ive

B

• bi- two
• biped (noun): a two-footed animal
• bi + ped

C

• contra- against, opposite
• contradict (verb) to state the opposite
• contra + dict

D

• dis- not, opposite of, exclude
• distrust (verb): to have no confidence or trust
• dis + trust

E

• e-, ex- out, out of, from
• emit (verb) to send out
• e + mit
• expel (verb): to force out ex + pel

PMR Diagnostic Test
Paper 1 (Objective Format) Total 24 questions
*Answer provided

A Mother’s Prayer
by Rachel Aldous

Verse:
My sweet baby on loan from above
no better treasure could I more love
standing beside your bed as I pray
I lay my hand on your head and I say:

Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways
May His hands bless your future with
friendships that last
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast

Verse:
I stare in wonder at your tiny frame
Just to think God knows you by name
knows every hair on your beautiful head
knows all your thoughts before they are said

Chorus:
May you grow up to serve Him
all of your days
May He lead you and guide you
in all of your ways
May His hands bless your future with
friendships that last
May you cherish your youth
and not grow up too fast

Prayer:
May God grant you peace
in the midst of a storm
May God give you strength even
when you’re forlorn
May you answer the door when
Jesus comes knocking
May wisdom guide when
your mouth is talkin’
May discretion protect you
and keep you pure
May you never stumble
or fall for a lure
May your heart remain humble
to the very end
May uprightness and truth
be what you defend
May the world not ensnare
or change who you are
May the light that's within you
shine like the stars
May angels surround your
body, spirit, mind
May favor and peace be yours to find
May rejection and pain
never reach you
May your spirit grow bold
for what you’re called to
As you rest in God’s care I will rest too
Knowing that Jesus is watching over you
Amen

I love you, Mommy…

A tree toad loved a she-toad who lived up in a tree.

He was a two-toed tree toad but a three-toed toad was she.

The two-toed tree toad tried to win the three-toed she-toad's heart,

for the two-toed tree toad loved the ground that the three-toed tree toad trod.

But the two-toed tree toad tried in vain.

He couldn't please her whim.

From her tree toad bower with her three-toed power the she-toad vetoed him.　

Just start being a novice Football fan?

During this hottest football season, some friends (like me) start to watch FIFA World Cup Game. However, when watching the LIVE game through FIFA.com, there are a lot terms that we may not understand.

Here, I'd like to share some of the basics of football that I had learnt:

Terms (Source: Wikipedia.org)

• Kick-off: a kick to start each period of play from the center-spot of the field; of a or a goal has been scored.
• Throw-in: awarded to opposing team to that which last touched the ball when the ball has crossed the touchline; over the head back onto field or with both feet on the ground.
• Goal kick: awarded to defensive team when the ball has crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a player of the attacking team.
• Corner kick: awarded to attacking team when the ball has crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a player of the defensive team.
• Direct free kick: awarded to opposing team when a player commits a penalty foul. A goal may be scored directly from a direct free kick.
• Penalty kick: awarded to the fouled team resulted from a contact foul or hand ball by the defending team within the penalty area. The ball is placed on the penalty spot in front of the center of the goal. All players must remain outside the penalty area and the penalty arc until the ball is kicked.
  

Foul (Source: Wikipedia.org)

• occurs when a player commits an offense (listed in the Laws of the Game) while the ball is in play
• e.g of "penal fouls": hand ball, tripping, holding, pushing, jumping at, tackling from behind, striking an opponent
• punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick.
• Yellow card(Caution): the player violates a soccer rule obviously. A second caution at the same game results in a red card (sent off from the game). A player given a yellow card is said to have been "booked" by the referee.
• Red card(Sending-off): the player is sent off the field for serious offense and cannot be replaced by a substitute. The team must finish the match with one player fewer.

Players

• A match is played by two teams.
• Each team consists of not more than eleven players including the goalkeeper.
  

Duration

• A football match consists of two periods (known as halves) with 45 minutes each .
  
• Each half runs continuously, the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play.
  
• Players are entitled to half-time interval which is about 15 minutes.

Matches (FIFA world cup)

• First Stage: Group matches
• Second Stage: Round of 16
• Second Stage: Quarter final
• Second Stage: Semi-final
• Second Stage: Match for the third place
• Second Stage: Final
  

Referee and Assistant Referee Signals (Source: FIFA.com)
Referee Signals


Assistant Referee Signals


Last sweet reminder:
the best way to learn about the football match is to watch the football matches.


Credits to the following Sources:
Wikipedia.org
FIFA.com

My favourite tools / sites:

1. howjsay.com
-It's a free online Talking Dictionary of English Pronunciation with Instant Sound
-How does it work?
#Enter the word you want and click Submit
#When it appears in pink, mouse over it to hear it spoken as often as you want

2. Dictionary.com
-It's a free online Dictionary with meaning provided
-How does it work?
#Enter the word you want and click Search
Then, the meaning of the word will appear. You can click on the 'speaker' icon to listen to its pronunciation.
The special thing of this site is its 'Word of the Day'. You can learn a word per day.

Here, let me share a fun material designed and created by me.

It's a board game. Two players are needed to play the game.
#To download it, just click the image below, then right click and save target as, lastly print it.


It is specific for advanced students. The topic is about counseling (You may adapt it to other topics if necessary). It focuses on grammar practice, that is, asking questions or answering (using the words given). The students are required to use different word forms in correct context. It is a fun and communicative activity. Hope you enjoy it.

Read the rules given before playing.
#To download it, just click the image below, then right click and save target as, lastly print it.

The hottest 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa now, starting from 11/6-11/7/10.

Here, we've the 2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem. Sign of A Victory by R. Kelly.

It's really a motivating, inspiring song that is going to accompany us throughout the matches of this World Cup Season.

Here's the lyric:
Let's learn the song together:

Sign of A Victory by R. Kelly

I can see the colors of the rainbow,
and I can feel the sun on my face,
I see the light at the end of the tunnel,
and I can feel heaven in its place,

and that's the sign of a victory (x2)

I can feel the spirit of the nations
and I can feel my wings ridin' the winds, yeah
I see the finish line just up ahead na
and I can feel it risin' deep within

and that's the sign of a victory (x2)

Now I can see the distance of the journey,
high and fought with all your might,
you open your eyes to global warming,
been through it all, sacrifice your life

and that's the sign of a victory (x2)

If we believe, we can achieve anything
including the impossible
this I know
so let's lift up our heads and
raise the flag yeah yeah
and scream like you're born to win
now let the games begin!

that's the sign of a victory (x4)

when you keep on fightin' ,
after you lost your strength

that's the sign of a victory

when darkness is all around you,
you still find your way

that's the sign of a victory

You've got the victory

come on and sing,
lift up your voice and sing,
stand up, fight it down (x2)
sign of a victory
ooooohh ohh ohhhh
That's the sign of victory

#Highlight:
In this song, there are really a lot of signs/symbols of 'Victory' that bring the positive messages and hope.
At the beginning we have the Natural images of Hope, like rainbow, sun, light and heaven.
Then, we can see, sense and even touch Hope, such as "feel my wings ridin’ the winds", "see the finish line just up ahead", etc.
The mood is getting inspiring when People are called to fight for Victory "with all your might", "been through it all", "sacrifice your life".
It leads to the key message "If we believe, we can achieve anything, including the impossible".

Be brave to HOPE, BELIEVE, FIGHT, SACRIFICE to achieve VICTORY!