Interstudia’s Webzine
by Adina Mezei
I’m sure you’ve all felt the rush of adrenaline: to be or not to be late? And I suppose you’ve all wanted to share this experience - be it in Romanian or in some other language. If you’ve ever felt at a loss for English words, now it is the time to put your time to good use by learning some new expressions about or linked to time. Read more…
by Roxana Moga
Hi folks!
Another month, another story! This happens to be a true one. Oh well, as true as any story can be!
I was going to draw your attention to a few idioms containing the word grey. Grey as in grey matter the substance we all have in our brains, the matter some people share among them; grey as the weather in January and February nonetheless, grey as an early Monday morning, or your mood these days, but hey, this is no time to get depressed as long as: “The future’s orange”.
So let’s turn to a more vivid color that would be …., come on! don’t let me say it!
Yes, correct! Pink my friends, pink…
by Bogdan O. Tomsa
1. Teacher to students: Everyone, please look at figure 2 on page 66.
She works in the fashion industry, so she has to stay fit and keep a good figure.
1, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. are called figures.
Oh, don’t ask me to calculate your salary. I’m helpless at figures.
2. Chicago is my favourite film of all times.
If you boil milk, it will form a thick film of fat on the top.
3. Kids love chewing gum.
When brushing my teeth, my dentist advised me to brush my gums too. They, too, can carry bacteria.
4. Where’s my jacket? Oh, you’ve hung it on the peg in the hall.
Big concerts are sometimes held in sports halls.
5. Oh, he turned up in his new convertible Mercedes. He thought he’d impress me!
Before we send these parcels out, we have to impress them with our company seal.
6. The clothes industry in Romanian is on the rise.
George has always been praised for his industry.
7. Most children have an interest in computer games these days.
For any loan, banks can apply interests from 10 to 50%.
8. Where’s Mary? Oh, I’ve just seen her here! Where’s she gone?
Your judgements are not just. You are being unfair!
9. Margaret Thatcher was the first woman Prime Minister in the history of Britain.
After graduating from the seminary, he became a minister in his home village.
10. Please sit down. I’ll be with you in just a minute.
Don’t ask her what the party was like. She’ll tell you everything about it down to the most minute details.
The secretary was busy writing up the minutes of the meeting.
11. It’s just normal for teenagers to try to imitate their favourite pop stars.
Teacher to students: You see, in a square all four sides are normal to one another.
12. I’ve always been curious to see what’s inside a tank.
Mary: Maybe I’ve run out of petrol.
John: That’s impossible. We’ve just filled up the tank.
Did any of the new meanings surprise you at all? Read on to see whether you guessed them correctly or not.
1. Figure = an illustration; diagram; picture; drawing
Figure = the shape of the human body; human form;
2. Film = motion picture, movie;
Film = a fine, thin skin, surface, layer, or coating; (=Ro. pelicula, membrana, strat)
3. Gum = chewing gum
Gum = (often pl.) the firm flesh covering the jaws on the inside of the mouth and surrounding the base of the teeth; (Ro. = gingie)
4. Hall = a passageway or room between the entrance and the interior of a building; (Ro. = hol)
Hall = a large public or semipublic room for gatherings, entertainments, etc. (Ro. = sala)
5. Impress = to have a marked effect on the mind or emotions of; (Ro. = a impresiona)
Impress = to mark by using pressure; stamp; imprint; (Ro. = a imprima, a stanta, a sigila etc.)
6. Industry = any large-scale business activity;
Industry = diligence, assiduity, persistence; (Ro. = harnicie)
7. Interest = a feeling of intentness, concern, or curiosity about something;
Interest = money which is charged by a bank or other financial organization for borrowing money;
(Ro. = dobanda)
8. Just = now, very soon, or very recently;
Just = fair, morally correct;
9. Minister = person appointed by the head of a government to take charge of some department;
Minister = a priest in particular parts of the Christian church (Baptist, Protestant, etc.)
10. Minute = the sixtieth part of an hour;
Minute = very small; tiny;
Minutes = (pl.) an official record of what was said and done at a meeting, convention, etc.
(Ro. = proces-verbal)
11. Normal = ordinary, usual, standard, regular, typical, etc.
Normal = (Math.) perpendicular; at right angles;
12. Tank = a heavily armored, self-propelled combat vehicle armed with guns and moving on full tractor treads;
Tank = any large container for liquid or gas; (Ro. = container, rezervor)
Some of the definitions above are courtesy of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (CALD) and Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
by Raluca Berbecaru
OH L’AMOUR
The body language of love
Since February is the month an ever increasing number of people celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, I thought that it would be a good idea to talk about love and, more precisely, about the language of luuuurv (that’s just a nice way to say “love, by the way). If “the heart has reasons that reason does not understand” (Jacques Begnine Bossuel), we can also say that love speaks a language that the natural languages do not understand. But let’s be more specific!
As a guy, what would you say or do if a beautiful girl walked up to you, looked deep into your eyes for a few seconds, smiled and then asked for the time? No, I mean, really do you think that she would only want this piece of information? Because if you are a straight guy and you only give her the time of day and then you walk away, this means that you are either taken or she’s not your type.
Ok, now here’s some food for thought for you, girls. If a handsome guy walks up to you slowly, keeps his eyes on you and says: “Excuse me, do you know where I can find a post-office around here?”, do you think he is desperate to find a post-office? Well, I hate to tell you this but you really should learn some body language tips. Think about it! He is smiling openly and approaching slowly with his head tilted…so? Did you get it?
In matters like love, body language can make the difference. According to Susan Quilliam, an open smile or a deep look into someone’s eyes are clear signs that he/she is interested. Of course, there can be no rules. For example it is said that crossed arms are a sign of tenseness and closed-inness, but what if the poor girl is just freezing cold? And let’s destroy some more “myths” connected to this issue. Many people think that keeping your legs crossed means someone is not interested, but I have to tell you it is just more comfortable to sit this way. If you are not sure how to interpret “crossed legs”, just take a look at the toes, which tend to react to general body energy. So if someone’s feeling bored, the toes may just stay still, while they tend to make little circles or bounce if they are feeling excited or energetic.
It is also very important to notice the way in which someone talks to you. The way in which your name, for instance, is said, has all sorts of meanings that are easy to pick up. Listen to the tone of voice. Is it bored or weary? Is it thoughtful and quiet? Is it enthused and interested? If you are interested in someone, you start to naturally speak like him/her, using the same tone of voice, the same loudness/softness and even the same speech patterns.
Our use and reading of body language is unconscious. Usually we should let our intuition guide us (also, a careful observation of individuals might help). According to experts, our non-verbal language communicates about 50% of what we really mean, while voice tonality contributes 38%. There are cases in which what we say represents the exact opposite of what we “symbolise” by our body posture, movements and positions. Sometimes we are unaware of how “loudly” we communicate with our body.
Pay attention to details – is the key. Dilated eyes show your excitement. You wouldn’t believe the number of ways that women have either painted their eyes or ingested pupil-dilated herbs in order to get their eyes to look big and sexy.
Biting your lip or running your tongue along your lip is a clear sign that you are drawn to the person next to you, but do not do it unless you are sure that it looks natural on you. Playing with your hair is a sign of flirting, but note that twirling your hair anxiously is more of a sign of boredom and distraction. An accelerated breathing, a reddish hew in your checks, a low voice, and a gentle smile – are the easiest things to detect and interpret.
We should have all these things in mind when making flirt-attempts. In the Victorian society women used to wear their hair combed in some special way to show that they are married. In India women only wear saris after the wedding. Unfortunately, in the western societies it is not as obvious who is available and who is not (since let’s admit that a wedding-ring can be easily “removed” when necessary) – so, after all, being aware of some body language signs can help us avoid being put in awkward or ridiculous situations.
Also look for the “negative” signs – a spastic cough, eyes that are wandering around the room, an impatient laugh, too long a break between sentences, a body that turns a little bit to avoid eye-contact – all these should make you give up. Remember that there is a time and a place for everything, so, when it comes to love and flirting, the atmosphere plays a very important role.
Being able to “read” your partner, to detect his/her irritability, sadness, anxiety, sharing his/her state can deepen your relationship and allow you to offer him/her the support that is needed. Human emotions are visible in your internal and external reactions (no wonder we talk about butterflies in the stomach, waves of rage, heart-breaking).
When you think about your relationship and you feel like your body is getting heavier or you feel sleepy, these may indicate that you are a little bit depressed when you think about it and perhaps your relationship is getting through a phase of boredom. If your eyes are itching and you choke this means that you feel like crying because you are unhappy with some aspects of your relationship. On the contrary, if you feel energetic and excited when thinking about it, your relationship stimulates you and makes you happy.
The entire future of a relationship can depend on the way you can interpret some “signs”. In no other aspect of the human life does the body play such an important role. When in love, we “speak” more without using words, because, after all, “you say it best, when you say nothing at all” (Ronan Keating).
by Flavia Boaru
Hello again!
I’m so happy you decided to kill your time with the Future Tense again!
I can just imagine you saying to yourselves: I think I’ll take a look at what our writer has in store for us in this issue… And guess what?! I do have a lot in store for you, and if you thought like that, using almost the same words, it means you have read my previous article and already know how to use the Future Tense by now
Did you also tell your wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend: This year, I’m going to give up smoking? Or, This year I’m going to learn more English? If so, it is my pleasure to congratulate you on your important resolutions and correct grammar. Hurray!! I hope you’ll stick to both!
If you still have doubts about when to use will or when to use going to, the last article is still at your feet, ready to be read over and over and over again!
So, my friends, here we are again, having to face the Future and its intricate machinations! Or, are they?!
I promised you we would dig deeper this time, and boldly explore every hidden part that is left of the Future Tense.
We will thus deal here and now with the Future Tense expressed by the use of two well-known Tenses: Present Simple & Continuous. So, things can only get better!
And for starters, let’s suppose you totally forgot that you had to attend a formal party on New Year’s Eve, and you have no clue as to where and when it was scheduled! Well, now let’s ask Mr. Smith, our boss:
Mr Smith, do you happen to know where the party is and when it starts?
What’s even more important here is Mr. Smith’s answer:
Yes, of course. The party starts at 7 PM and it is held at my place!
All righty! So, let’s set on finding his mansion. But, wait! We have to take the train to get there. Let’s call the station:
Excuse me, what time does the train to Bistrita leave?
The answer will most probably sound like this:
It leaves at 3:23 PM.
You could perhaps realize that we, the speakers, can change neither the time the train leaves, nor the time the party starts. These events and schedules have already been decided on, and we can do nothing about them.
Thus, we use the Present Simple Tense for future programmes, schedules, timetables, etc., which cannot be changed by the speaker.
The train is set to leave at a certain time, the party is also fixed to start in a place and at a time which have been set and which cannot be altered. Planes leave the ground when they were scheduled. Similarly, stores open or close at a certain time, because that’s their timetable.
Let’s get on to the next thing on our list: the Present Continuous Tense for Future actions.
When we do have some control over the events that are to happen at some point in the future, when something is arranged, we use the Present Continuous to express our personal future plans. For instance, if we are asked:
What are you doing tonight? (NOT What will you do tonight? NOR What do you do tonight?)
You may reply:
We’re attending a dinner party at my boss’s place. (I previously made my plan for the New Year’s Eve). And the conversations may go on:
Oh, are you really? And are you going by bus or by train? At this point, it is sure that your reply should sound something like:
We are going by car, actually.
And the dialogue may go on, with what’s on the menu, so on and so forth.
Now, you may be at a loss here! I’ve just told you that we use the Present Conitnuous for personal future plans. But in my last article, I told you that plans are made with the use of the going to construction.
Present Continuous is often used instead of going to for self-made plans and voluntary schedules, especially for the near future.
We’re having a party on Friday night. (the party is this week; it’s a plan)
She’s leaving home right after breakfast and driving all the way up to Tallahassee in her grandma’s old car. (this is also about to happen in the very near future)
Sometimes the Present Continuous Tense is also preferred instead of the going to construction, for verbs such as: go, come, begin, start, finish, have, etc.
He is going to a party tonight.
‘The Smiths are coming home from Canada this spring.
Understanding how the Future works and is expressed in English is not as easy as it may seem, but I hope I did provide you here with some little clues that will hopefully make it more familiar to you!
Now see if you can do the next exercise!
Good luck to you all and see you next time!
P.S. What are you doing tonight?
I know I’m going to a party! Care to join me?
Exercise
1.We _______________________ lunch at McDonald’s at the weekend. (to have)
2. They ________________________ to London on Friday evening. (to fly)
3. The English lesson _____________ at 7:30. (to start)
4. We ________________ out for a meal with some friends this evening. (to go)
5. what time ________ train to Manchester __________? (to leave)
6. What _________ you ____ this weekend? (to do)
7. The plane to Tokyo ____________ at 20:00, as scheduled. (to leave)
8. My Mother _______________________ to Spain next week. (to go)
9. The store next to my house ______________ at 21:00. You are late. (to close)
10. We ________________________ a party tonight! I can hardly wait! (to have)
Key:
1 - are having
2 - are flying
3 - starts
4 - are going
5 - does……leave
6 - are you doing
7 - leaves
8 - is going
9 - closes
10 - are having
by Dina Vilcu
Adjective + preposition structures
If you have read the previous issue of our magazine, you will remember, maybe, the little story about getting stuck in conversation when the right preposition isn’t there for you, but also about improvising your way out. (Sometimes you might even be right, because some of the adjectives can take more prepositions and have the same or a very similar meaning – such as, for example, angry with/ about/ over). Well, that was just the beginning. This page will show you some more of those tricky structures and, while trying to put a bit of order in this chaos, I decided to choose structures including adjectives which refer to the way you feel about something or someone.
So, check your mastery of preposition by choosing the right one for the next sentences:
about of to with in
1. If you are afraid ……. snakes, I don’t think you should take this trip to the jungle.
2. She was so excited ………. her new car that she couldn’t wait trying it.
3. If you are bored ………. all the places you’ve seen, you should try something new.
4. It’s good to be kind ……… the people who ask for your help.
5. Confident …… your ability as you are, you’ll do just fine in the exam.
Now, try vice versa. You have the prepositions; try to fill in with the adjectives they go with:
1. You can be ………….. with yourself. You’ve done very well in the exam.
2. Don’t be ………….. of him. If you work hard, you can be as good as him.
3. He goes to all the matches because he’s ……………. about football.
4. Don’t be so ……….. to your sister. You know how sensitive she is.
5. If you’re ………….. in history, you’ll love this museum.
Use the expressions above and try to imagine or remember how you would feel in the following situations:
1. You are alone at home, there’s a big storm and now there is also a power cut.
2. Everybody was against you in this dispute but finally you were right.
3. Your life time rival has just won a competition against you.
4. After waiting a lot, you finally got the car of your dreams.
5. All your friends are out of town and you’re watching this action movie for the third time.
Key:
Exercise 1
1 of
2. about
3. with
4. to
5. in
Exercise 2
1. pleased
2. envious
3. crazy
4. mean
5. interested
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