fixed expressions – Tim's Free English Lesson Plans

Exam Preparation Class, Proficiency, Vocabulary Classes

C2 Proficiency: Inverted Open Cloze

Posted on February 15, 2022February 15, 2022 by Tim Warre

C2 Proficiency: Exam Technique – Reading Part 7 – Tim's Free English Lesson Plans

This is a lesson plan for C2 proficiency students designed to more fully exploit a use of English part 2 open cloze text. Download the handout below:

c2_-inverted-open-cloze Download

The part 2 exercise is taken from the Expert Proficiency Coursebook published by Pearson.

Students first complete the exercise from their books, compare answers with a partner and correct the task in open class. The teacher then instructs them to close their books/fold the handout over and try to complete the second “inverted” version. In this version, different words have been removed from the fixed expressions tested in the original text. Other changes have been made in order to fully exploit the text for more high level lexis such as phrasal verbs and fixed expressions. Students can then refer back to the original in order to check their answers.

You can create your own inverted cloze exercises from any text in your course book. Happy inverting!

Inverted Version

Cover the original exercise.

Complete this version.

The relationship between the modern consumer and their rubbish is a complex one. Getting (1) ……. of rubbish has come to mean a great (2) ……. more than simply consigning breakfast leftovers (3) ……. a plastic bag. With the advent (4)……. recycling, rubbish has now invaded many people’s personal lives to an unprecedented (5) ……. There was a time, (6) ……. living memory, when rubbish collection was a simple matter – but today’s household rubbish, before being (7) ……., has to be filed and sorted (8) ……. colour-coded containers (9) ……. to its recycling category.

What is (10) ……., we are brought (11) ……. in a rash of irritation by the suggestion that, if rubbish collections were to become more infrequent, people would then make the effort to (12) ……. down on shopping and recycle more. We might be excused for wondering (13) ……. this would be possible. Can people realistically buy fewer eggs or (14) ……. of toothpaste than their lives require?

Recycling is supposed to be good for us. But for some, it’s just a (15) ……. of rubbish.

Advanced C1, Exam Preparation Class, Grammar Classes, Vocabulary Classes

CAE/C1 Advanced: Use of English Part 2 Revision Worksheet

Posted on June 8, 2021June 8, 2021 by Tim Warre

cae | British Formazione Inglese Livorno

This is a worksheet for students preparing to take the C1 Advanced exam. It will act as a refresher for a lot of the language, including linkers, prounouns, fixed expressions and phrasal verbs, that often come up in part 2 of the reading and use of English paper. Download the handout and key below:

c1-advanced-use-of-english-part-2-revision Download

c1-advanced-use-of-english-part-2-revision-key Download

You could follow up by playing this quizziz game that covers 25 of the sentences:

Exam Preparation Class, Proficiency, Vocabulary Classes

C2 Proficiency: Use of English Revision Worksheet

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Tim Warre

C2 Proficiency de Inglés (CPE) del Cambridge: Cómo Aprobarlo | TURBOLANGS

This is a worksheet for students preparing for the Cambridge C2 Proficiency exam. It’s designed as a revision activity for a lot of the expressions, collocations and phrasal verbs that come up in the use of English paper. Download the handout and answer key below:

proficiency-use-of-english-revision-1 Download

proficiency-use-of-english-revision-answer-key Download

Verb Phrases & Collocations

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the box, you will need to use some verbs more than once:

bring give take buy make do place get have put

Could you please ……… me up-to-date with the latest news about the project?
We’ve …….. our plan into action, now we just have to wait for the results.
When is the wedding ……… place?
She ……. exception to his comments about her lateness and got quite offended.
The release of the chemicals ……… a detrimental effect on wildlife in the surrounding area.
He ……… the impression that he doesn’t care but really, underneath he’s completely committed to the relationship.
A few days off would ……… wonders for my mental health.
Some people in this business ………. no scruples about stabbing their rivals in the back to get what they want.
The council has ……….. steps to bring the situation under control.
Where can I ……… hold of a good bottle of French red wine?
How long do you think they’re going to ………. to finish the refurbishment?
This school ………. a lot of importance on punctuality and respect.
They failed to ………. into consideration just how expensive organising the festival would be.
After ………. your suggestions a lot of thought, I’ve decided to make the changes you recommended.
Most bars ……….. all their food and drink in bulk in order to save money.
I’ve ………… an order for a new TV on the website, it should arrive next week.
Don’t worry if your cat ate one of the leaves of the plant, it won’t …….. it any harm.
The company ………. a pre-tax profit of €10,000 last year.
Calm down, I’ve managed to ………. us some more time to get the presentation finished, I told the boss I had food poisoning.
The sight of my brother and his fiancé finally tying the knot ………. tears to my eyes.

Missing Prepositions

……… all likelihood, the new store will be opening at the end of next month.
………. and large, the school play was well received by the audience.
………. the whole, the product launch was a success despite a few hitches.
He broke his mum’s favourite salad bowl …….. accident.
The instructor gave the group a safety demonstration to put them …….. ease before their first dive.
Sadly bees seem to be ……. decline across Europe.
They gave her the job ……. the strength of the excellent answers she gave to the interview questions.
You can’t expect me to work the Saturday shift ……. such short notice, I can’t do it I’m afraid.
He handed …….. his final project at 12:00 ……. the dot, just in time.
I’m sorry but I’m ……. the end of my tether, I can’t handle this group anymore, they’re driving me ……. the wall!

Phrasal Verbs & Fixed Expressions

More …….. than not, we go out for dinner on Friday night. (usually)
For ……. we know, there might be aliens living underground on Mars.
I had to put ……. with a screaming baby right next to me for the whole return flight.
I didn’t know what to say so I just blurted out the first thing that …….. into my head.
We can’t give up, there’s ………. he would love more than to see us fail!
I’ve put a lot of effort …….. organising this evening so I hope everything goes …….. plan.
Darkness ……. while we were still on the mountain so we had to walk the last part in the pitch black.
His work didn’t see the …….. of day until years after his death.
The last bus had already gone so we were …….. with no choice but to walk back.
We’ve ……. into the habit of eating dinner in front of the TV, it’s so bad.
The fog and rain made …….. difficult to make …… what was written on the signpost.
The fire brigade arrived and managed to …….. out the fire in 20 minutes.
We need to come ……. with a way to raise enough money for the trip to Paris.
The renovations to the old church have given it a new lease of …….. as a community centre.
The financial crash in 2008 gave …….. to a huge jump in the number of families in poverty.
We need your help to organise the ad campaign, we’re giving you ……. rein, you can do whatever you want.
My friends always ……… up for me in tricky situations.
What were you doing on the night …….. question?
I ……. in touch with my family via Skype or Whatsapp.
Don’t worry sir, your order is …….. hand and will be ready soon.

Word Formation

Watching the video about immigrants crossing the Mediterrean made me realise that my problems pale into …………………… compared to what they have to go through. SIGNIFY
We need to see a drastic cut in carbon …………………………… if we’re going to meet our green targets. EMIT
The economic effect of the pandemic could be ………………………….. for some families. DISASTER
One of the …………………………….. of living in a city is the relentless noise pollution. SIDE
I spent many …………………………… nights listening to my neighbours’ parties. SLEEP
Life ……………………………. in the western world has increased considerably in the last century. EXPECT
Scientists’ theories on what will be found beneath the surface of Mars remain ………………………. SPECULATE
Green ………………………….. such as carpooling or cycling schemes can only do so much to mitigate climate change. INITIATE
The city centre has ………………………… a marked change in the last few years. GO
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the public have been ………………………….. about the true state of our planet. LEAD
I think it’s fair to say that the current ecological crisis in the arctic is an ……………………………. complex issue that presents many problems. CREDIBLE
One of the problems is that people make …………………………… about the situation without knowing all the details. ASSUME
The school has opened a special unit for students with …………………………… hearing. PAIR
I have complained to the council …………………………… but nothing has been done about the problem. REPEAT
We need to protect the area by …………………………… tourists from taking rocks and plants home as souvenirs. COURAGE

Exam Preparation Class, Proficiency, Vocabulary Classes

C2 Proficiency: Key Word Transformation Training #2

Posted on April 28, 2021May 4, 2021 by Tim Warre

This is an exam preparation activity for students taking the C2 Proficiency exam. Students learn some fixed expressions that may come up in part 4 of the reading and use of English paper and also practice their paraphrasing skills. Download the handout below:

c2-proficiency_-key-word-transformation-training-2 Download

I recommend using my first key word transformation training exercise first.

Use the first 12 slides of this quizlet set to test students’ memories of the fixed expressions from the first training activity. You could then give them this doc of 15 of the key word transformations as homework or spaced repetition at a later date:

c2-proficiency-key-word-transformations-memory-test Download

Then hand out the new worksheet. First students work in pairs to paraphrase the expressions in bold and come up with notes to help them remember the expressions; this could involve taking a note of a dependent preposition or a verb pattern (gerund/infinitive). Monitor and check students’ understanding of the expressions. Then students turn the paper over and attempt to recall the expressions with the help of the key words. Finally, students recall prepositions from the expressions as these can often trip students up. Also, the second point in a key word transformation question can often come down to a dependent preposition.

You could use this quizziz game to test their memory of the prepositions at a later date.

Student Handout

Version 1

Look at the expressions in bold. Discuss the meaning with your partner and make notes to help you remember them.

The film fell short of my expectations I’m afraid.