Games:
Recently, however, I've realized that Merriam-Webster's website and app have more to offer. Their Word Games & Quizzes section is a lot of fun! For example, Name That Thing shows pictures that the player identifies by way of multiple-choice answers. They also dive into specific topics with quizzes like Name That Pasta.
I highly recommend Merriam-Webster's dictionary, app, and website to high-level English speakers, i.e., those I tutor. Are their games and quizzes challenging? Yes. Can the people I meet with handle it? Yes, and I think they're going to like it!
Grammar:
Either ... Or; Neither ... Nor
Anyone who has been teaching English as a Second Language for more than a couple of years knows about Betty Schrampfer Azar. This woman is a monster of English grammar! When I say that, I mean it in the sense of, she's a master. That's why for this section, I'm referring to her classic of advanced grammar, Understanding and Using English Grammar.
Notice the subject-verb agreement in the following sentences:
1/ Either my neighbor or my friend is going to help with the yard work.
2/ Either my neighbor or my friends are going to help with the yard work.
3/ Neither her boyfriend nor her cousin is a lawyer.
4/ Neither her boyfriend nor her cousins are lawyers.
What's happening in the above examples?
Based on what you see above, what is the rule for verb agreement with either/or and neither/nor?
Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with is/are.
1/ Neither the salt shaker nor the pepper grinder _____ on the table.
2/ Either the producer or the assistants _____ coming to the event.
3/ Either the assistants or the producer _____ coming to the event.
4/ Neither the new website nor the messages _____ going to be enough!
5/ Neither the messages nor the new website _____ going to be enough!
Exercise 2: Answer these questions with either ... or.
1/ Does Tanya or Michel have the package that was delivered?
>
2/ Who is checking in on the house next week, Melissa or Mark?
>
3/ Are you taking the metro to the airport, or are you catching a taxi?
>
4/ Will we use potatoes to make this, or should we use rice?
>
Exercise 3: Answer these questions with neither ... nor.
1/ Was the installation quick, or was it slow?
>
2/ Do the new writers have an editor or a proofreader?
>
3/ Have you ever run a marathon or climbed Mt. Everest?
>
4/ Do your children speak Spanish or Portuguese?
>
Enrich Your Vocabulary | TOEFL Words: malice (noun)
Malice is the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm. Merriam-Webster points out that malice is an important legal term because in order to convict a person of first-degree murder, it must be proved that the act was committed with malice.
Example sentence:
There really is deep malice inside some of the people who routinely attack him.
The Guardian (2016)
Can you make a sentence using malice or the adjective form malicious?
Phrasal Verbs -- turn in
What do these sentences mean?
1/ The criminal was tired of trying to escape the police, so he turned himself in.
2/ I'm tired. I'm going to turn in early. I'll see you in the morning!
3/ When you're finished using the headphones, please turn them in at the front desk.
Can you make a sentence using the phrasal verb TURN IN?
*Note: The second sentence is a bit old-fashioned.
Answers to sentences above:
Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with is/are.
1/ Neither the salt shaker nor the pepper grinder is on the table.
2/ Either the producer or the assistants are coming to the event.
3/ Either the assistants or the producer is coming to the event.
4/ Neither the new website nor the messages are going to be enough!
5/ Neither the messages nor the new website is going to be enough!
Exercise 2: Answer these questions with either ... or.
1/ Does Tanya or Michel have the package that was delivered?
> Either Tanya or Michel has the package that was delivered.
2/ Who is checking in on the house next week, Melissa or Mark?
> Either Melissa or Mark is checking in on the house.
3/ Are you taking the metro to the airport, or are you catching a taxi?
> I'm either taking the metro or catching a taxi.
4/ Will we use potatoes to make this, or should we use rice?
> We will either use potatoes or rice.
Exercise 3: Answer these questions with neither ... nor.
1/ Was the installation quick, or was it slow?
> The installation was neither quick nor slow.
2/ Do the new writers have an editor or a proofreader?
> The new writers have neither an editor nor a proofreader.
3/ Have you ever run a marathon or climbed Mt. Everest?
> I've neither run a marathon nor climbed Mt. Everest.
4/ Do your children speak Spanish or Portuguese?
> My children speak neither Spanish nor Portuguese.